Candida Castro

Biography / My background

(It briefly include some personal information, e.g., where I was born or studied, my hobbies and interests, or a curiosity about yourself).

I was born in Pozoblanco (Córdoba), in the Valle de los Pedroches, north of the city of Córdoba. This area borders and shares customs with Extremadura and La Mancha. People from my town are called tarugos (they say because we are a bit stubborn). I attended preschool at Santana School, a mixed nursery school near my grandmother’s house. Later, at Manuel Cano Damián School, I completed primary education (EGB); it was an all-girls school with only female teachers—wonderful teachers. At the secondary school in my town, IES Los Pedroches (also mixed), I studied a third year of Science-track Bachillerato and then Humanities-track COU (among other things, this hybrid education may have encouraged me to study Psychology). I will always be grateful to all my teachers.

I am the eldest daughter of Manolo (from the family of Juan “el del casino”) and María Teresa (Rufino’s youngest daughter). I have only one sister, Ana, my “little one,” who is, and always will be, eight years younger than me, and whom I love dearly. My family (in which I always counted on my aunts and almost 30 cousins), my teachers, gave me, in abundance, the affection and strength that have always accompanied me and encouraged me to believe that everything is possible if you put enthusiasm and great effort into it.

My father has been very hardworking; he is a truck driver by profession. He took me many times in his tanker truck, singing songs and sharing the collection of COVAP milk (perhaps that is where my love of driving comes from). My father is strong and at the same time affectionate and tender. I sat on his lap until quite recently. He is also a little stubborn, but he has a big heart, loves helping others, and does everything with great determination. My father instilled in me a love of books and reading.

My mother is a superwoman—she can handle everything and does almost everything at lightning speed. I will always feel that I don’t even reach the soles of her shoes. She has lived devoted to her family: her daughters, her mother, and her sisters. She never stopped working at her embroidery and sewing; with what she earned she could cover the daily household expenses and save money. She is always attentive and ready to help anyone who needs it. She has always passed on to me drive, bravery, boldness, and courage to try everything, with her sayings: “Nothing has ever been written about cowards,” “Where are you going with that ram? Well, let’s see if it butts,” or “Try it—the ‘NO’ you already have.” She also taught me how to embroider, among many other things—an entire trousseau.

Don Juan was also very important in my life; he taught me how Jesus lived and that He simply wanted us to love others more than ourselves.

In truth, I think that, with the strength everyone gave me, I may have exceeded their expectations. That does not prevent them from feeling more than proud of me. I moved to Granada to study my degree at 18 and have not spent another winter in my hometown since then. My parents might have been happier having me closer; even so, neither I nor my loved ones have ever lacked their unconditional affection.

With my parents’ savings and a mobility study grant (when Rubalcaba was Minister), I was able to study my degree while living in a shared flat with my classmates Ani, Maribel, and Transi. Needless to say, moving from a small town to the city was quite an experience that opened our minds and helped us grow. Together with my classmates, we lived some wonderful years—among the best of our lives.

Later, in addition to embarking on my PhD, together with Pedro I formed a wonderful family with two boys (Pedro and David) and two girls (Luna and Irene), who are my little treasures—the best project of my life. I don’t think starting this large family with Pedro was due to bravery, but rather to a bit of unconsciousness, because it never seems like the “right time” to throw caution to the wind and have children. But as Damasio says in Descartes’ Error, “We do not decide rationally despite emotions, but thanks to them.” Emotion, more than once, overcomes me—and it is what gives meaning to my life.

I love children, animals, and nature. Spending time with them, with my family and my friends, celebrating life, makes me very happy.