My grandmother Escolastica who was the midwife at my birth felt I was going to amount to something and so named me Diosdado (God-given). Before my teens, I sensed a desire to rise above our life of abject poverty. All members of my family agreed with my grandmother that I would attain distinction. I identified most with my grandmother. A pious woman, she was my first model. In later years, the Pampango philanthropist who financed my last two years in law school, Honorio Ventura, who entered public service a wealthy man but left it no longer rich because of his selflessness and impeccable integrity and honesty, became my other model.

Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) general secretary, Monsignor Jose Luis Azuaje calls Presidential Secretariat Minister Diosdado (ironically translated God-given!) Cabello's olive branch to open a dialogue as "fictitious."