Johnel is the eldest of six siblings of Elena Manongsong and Dominador Candava, born on March 8, 1970 in Occidental Mindoro where he spent his early years and finished his elementary and high school education. As a child, Johnel dreamed of becoming a doctor so he ventured out of his hometown to take up BS Medical Technology as his premed course at the Manila Central University. His steadfastness and diligence in every task given him was recognized by the two hospitals where he served as a med...