UAAP inspired 2k10 Presidential Race

Sharing a cup of coffee with friends has been a part of my social life. One late night, we hanged out in a coffee shop along Katipunan Avenue. Since we talked almost about everything that happens in the society, we came across the 2010 Presidential race. Though we are not registered voters at the time, we each knew whose names we want to write on the ballots. However different are choices were, we managed to give points on why we chose our own candidates; from their public service experience, their relations to big financial corporations, their family background, political affiliations and the so-called hidden political agenda even the possible outcomes of the above-mentioned factors to the present Philippine socio-econo-political status. At the heat of the discussion, one claimed that the presidential race is UAAP inspired. Maybe the reason this was opened up was that the coffee shop is situated between UP Diliman and Ateneo De Manila University. Based on what we knew then, we finally realized that yes, the presidential candidates we were discussing either came from any of the universities that play in the UAAP. But this was a month ago. Now, new players joined the race or should I say, popularity contest.

I decided to assert the claim that the 2k10 presidential race is UAAP inspired. Much to my surprise, they all either had their undergraduate studies, graduate studies, post-graduate studies, or took up Law in those universities. The claim was somehow proven but some points we had were rejected as Bayani did not come from UP as we previously thought and Gordon had his undergraduate degree in Ateneo, not UP.

The candidates have come from various top universities and colleges. I never really looked at a candidate's educational attainment, although the level of education attained would give bearing to a person's capabilities, strength and personality. Some candidates give emphasis on their education, making it a proof that they are well-educated and trained for a service as great as te presidency.

President: Gilberto Cojuangco Teodoro Jr.
BS Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions, De La Salle University
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines (Bar Topnotcher)
Master of Laws, Harvard Law School
Master in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines
Vice President: Eduardo Lorenzo "Edu" Barrios Manzano
**No record based on the major internet search engines

President: Benigno "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino Jr.
College graduate; Major in Economics on Ateneo de Manila University.
Vice President: Mar Roxas
Wharton School of Economics, University of Pennsylvania
*Although he attended Ateneo De Manila Grade School and High School

President: Richard "Dick" Juico Gordon
A.B. History and Government, Ateneo de Manila University
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
Vice President: Bayani Fernando
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology

President: Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, University of the Philippines
Master in Business Administration and Accountancy, University of the Philippines
Vice President: Loren Legarda
Master’s Degree in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines;
Degree in Broadcast Communications, University of the Philippines-Diliman

President: Jose Marcelo Ejercito (Joseph Ejercito Estrada)
Mapua Institute of Technology (Undergraduate, spent two years in an Eng'g course)
*Attended Ateneo De Manila Elementary and High School
Vice President: Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan Binay
BA Political Science, University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
Masters in Public Administration, Major in Local Government Management, University of the Philippines
Master of Laws, University of Santo Tomas
Master in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines
Senior Executive Fellows Program, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa), Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Joint Services and Command Staff College, AFP, Joint Services and Command Staff Course
Master in Management, Philippine Christian University
Diploma in Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of the Philippines Open University
*He attended University of the Philippines Preparatory High School


President: Eduardo "Eddie" Villanueva
Degree in commerce, majoring in economics, from the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC), now Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines (however, he did not take the Bar)
Vice President: Perfecto "Jun" Rivas Yasay Jr.
BA Political Science, Central Philippine University, Iloilo City
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
Masters in Business Administration, Ateneo de Manila University

President: John Carlos "JC" Gordon De los Reyes
Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, USA
Masters Degree in Public Administration, University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Laws, Saint Louis University, Baguio City
*Attended Ateneo Grade School and De La Salle Zobel High School
Vice President: Dominador Chipeco
Liberal Arts English, San Beda College
Bachelor of Laws, San Beda College

President: Maria Ana "Jamby" Consuelo Madrigal
**No records on the internet



Of all the candidates for President and Vice President, it is Jejomar Binay who has the highest educational attainment and the most number of degrees and has attended numerous schools. I bet he loves to learn and gives a great importance of education.

Three of the presidential candidates attended the early education at the Ateneo Grade School or Ateneo High School. Meaning they had the means to attend a private school as such and that the school indeed lives up to its vision and has produced leaders in the society.

Since the internet is my only source of information as of the moment, the credibility of this information may be questionable and lacking as Jamby Madrigal and Edu Manzano did not provide their educational attainment on the election profiles circulating around the net. Thus this blog is open for corrections.

It is my greatest wish that these candidates would give a great emphasis on educational reforms and ensure that the Filipino youth grows up to be an educated, respectful and healthy man. Some of these presidential aspirants were born poor and yet have managed to become successful in their respective fields. They may have lacked the resources to enter a good educational institution but still made it to the plenary halls and served the Filipino people, which is the greatest achievement of all.