César Salcedo Parrales, pseudonym Galo Salcedo (Machala, Ecuador, August 22, 1938 – August 16, 2011) was an Ecuadorian writer, painter, educator, journalist and historian. He authored approximately 13 books and several articles for various publications. He primarily wrote historical works about Machala and the province of El Oro. He was a member of the Association of Latin American and Caribbean Historians, the Association of Historians of Ecuador, and the House of Ecuadorian Culture’s history section in El Oro. The provincial historical archive bears his name.
Early Life and Education
César Dionisio Salcedo Parrales was born on August 22, 1938, in Machala, the capital of the Province of El Oro, Ecuador. His parents were Galo Hugo Salcedo Orozco and Silvia Parrales Gonzabay. He faced early hardship, losing his parents during his childhood, which left a lasting impact on his life. Despite these challenges, he showed academic promise early on, receiving his first honor—a gold medal from the Club de Leones of Machala for his reading comprehension skills in the third grade.
Salcedo Parrales completed his primary education at the Simón Bolívar School in Machala. For his secondary education, he attended the Colegio Nueve de Octubre and Kléber Franco Cruz, where he earned a high school diploma (bachillerato) in modern humanities with a specialization in philosophical and social studies. He later pursued higher education at the Technical University of Machala, studying sociology and political sciences.
Early Career in Radio Broadcasting
At just 13 years old, Salcedo Parrales began working as a sound technician at the radio station Ondas del Jubones in 1953. This early role marked the beginning of his involvement in Machala’s cultural and historical scene. Over the years, he contributed significantly to the growth of local radio broadcasting. He worked at Radio Municipal Machala (which was later renamed Radio Cultural Machala) from 1955 to 1956, and in 1963, he joined Radio Nacional El Oro as the founding sound technician. These experiences in radio not only helped him develop technical skills but also deepened his engagement with the community, allowing him to emerge as a prominent cultural figure in the region.
Personal Life
César Salcedo Parrales was married twice. His first marriage was to Emilia Cruz, with whom he had three children: Narcisa, Galo, and César Salcedo Cruz. Sadly, Emilia passed away when Salcedo was only 30 years old, leaving him a widower at a young age. Later, he remarried Lila Luna, and they had three children together: Silvia, Lila, and Xavier Salcedo Luna. However, this second marriage ended in divorce.
Literary Career and Artistic Contributions
César Salcedo Parrales was a multifaceted figure—a historian, writer, painter, educator, and broadcaster. He published extensively on the history of Machala and the Province of El Oro, with works featuring photographs and drawings that vividly depicted the area’s past. His use of the pen-and-ink technique, particularly in creating images of old Machala, earned him numerous accolades. Some of his notable works include Machala 455 años de historia (Machala, 455 Years of History), Batalla de la Carreta (Battle of the Cart), and Biografías Orenses (Biographies of People from El Oro).
In addition to his literary and historical pursuits, Salcedo was involved in the visual arts. Under the pseudonym “Galo Salcedo,” he exhibited his works at various art shows, including the World Banana Fair, gaining recognition for his contributions to Ecuadorian culture. His artistic talents extended to designing logos and seals for local institutions, such as the first taxi cooperative in Machala.
Teaching and Professional Career
Salcedo Parrales had a long career in education. He taught drawing and geography at several institutions, including Colegio “La Inmaculada,” Colegio Nacional Kléber Franco Cruz, and Colegio Nacional 8 de Noviembre in Piñas. His dedication to teaching was acknowledged through numerous honors from educational institutions in the region.
His historical investigations extended beyond education. In 1977, Salcedo researched the history of institutions such as the Ecuadorian Red Cross and the Municipality of Piñas, receiving commendations for his work. His commitment to preserving history led to his appointment as Director of the first Municipal Historical Archive of Machala in 2003. Later, in 2010, he was named Director of the Provincial Historical Archive of El Oro, further cementing his legacy as a cultural and historical authority.
Legacy and Recognitions
Throughout his career, César Salcedo Parrales was celebrated for his contributions to Ecuadorian history, art, and education. His efforts were recognized with numerous awards, including a Medalla y Mención al Mérito Histórico-Periodístico for his book Batalla de la Carreta (Battle of the Cart), which commemorated the centennial of the Liberal Revolution in Machala.
Salcedo Parrales also played a significant role in the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo El Oro, where he contributed to both the historical and artistic sections. His work in preserving the historical memory of Machala and the Province of El Oro left an indelible mark on the region. In recognition of his contributions, the Provincial Historical Archive was named in his honor.
Death
César Salcedo Parrales passed away on August 16, 2011, at the age of 73, from cardiovascular complications just minutes before delivering a lecture at the Municipality of Huaquillas. His death marked the loss of a deeply influential figure whose work spanned multiple disciplines and significantly contributed to the cultural heritage of Ecuador.
Awards and recognitions
Among the honors he received for his work with various institutions in the province of El Oro and Ecuador are the following:
- Ecuadorian Red Cross bestowed honorary recognition on him for his artistic collaboration.
- Honorable Mention for his artistic contribution to the Technical University of Machala’s teacher education and training course.
- The XI World Banana Fair in Machala awarded him an honorable mention for his participation.
- The I. Municipal Council of Piñas awarded him an honorable mention for his plastic arts participation.
- The Ministry of Education bestowed honorary recognition on him for his contributions to drawing programs.
- Honorary recognition as a Member of El Oro’s chapter of the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Quito.
- The René Academy awarded him an Honorable Mention for his work as Professor-Founder of the Institution.
- Honorable Mention from the El Oro Provincial Directorate of Education for publishing historical works about the province.
- Honorable Mention from El Oro’s chapter of the National Union of Educators for published historical works.
- The National Archives Council bestowed honorary recognition on him for his participation in the Paleography Workshop Seminar in Quito.
- Medal and Mention for Historical-Journalistic Merit, awarded by the circle of journalists’ El Oro chapter to his book Battle of the Carreta, published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Liberal Revolution.
- The House of Ecuadorian Culture, Cañar chapter, honored him with honorary recognition for his participation in the I. National Anthropology Meeting held in Azogues.
- The House of Ecuadorian Culture, El Oro chapter, recognized him with an Honorable Mention for his historical publications.
Selected Works
- El Ecuador a fines del Siglo XIX, compendio gráfico de las ciudades del Ecuador
- Machala, 455 años de Historia Nº 1
- Machala, 455 años de Historia Nº 2
- Machala, Pasado y presente, álbum de 10 plumillas
- Batalla de la Carreta, edición conmemorativa a los 100 años de la revolución liberal de Machala.
- Puerto Bolivar
- Biografías Orenses, año 1996
- General Manuel Serrano Renda
- El Oro rumbo hacia el Nuevo Milenio
Author’s name varitions
- Galo Salcedo
- César Galo Dionisio Salcedo Parrales
- César Galo D. Salcedo P
- Galo César D. Salcedo Parrales