Famous Graduates of the Top Universities in The Philippines: Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, and More

Do you share the same alma mater as any of these industry greats? Find out below

Choosing the right university is essential for every student. The place is more than just a ground for learning and sharing one's skills, it's where students excel and learn more about themselves, meet the peers they'll join for a long time, and more. In the Philippines, the University of the Philippines (UP), De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU), the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) are what most call 'the big four', owing to their prestige and competitive admission.

For this article, Tatler has gathered and listed names of Filipinos who have been successful in their respective fields through the help of the aforementioned schools.

University of the Philippines (UP)

Atom Araullo

Award-winning Filipino journalist, television presenter, triathlete, and radio host Atom Araullo is the only son of activist Carol Araullo. Being born into a proactive family, Atom has spent most of his childhood days with his parents joining protests against the Marcoses. The events that transpired when he was a child exposed him to the political struggles of the Filipino masses. He finished his elementary education at the Ateneo de Manila University and his high school education at the Philippine Science High School.

Above Atom Araullo was a UP student (Photo: GMA News)

In college, Atom finished a Bachelor of Science degree in applied physics from the University of the Philippines Diliman where he also became a member of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and chairperson of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights-UP (STAND-UP). In 2003, Araullo won as Councillor in the UP Diliman Student Council elections.

Kidlat Tahimik

Tahimik is one of the most prominent names in Filipino filmmaking. In 2018, he was conferred the National Artist of the Philippines for film, a recognition that acknowledged his contributions to the development of Philippine independent cinema.

The National Artist also garnered various accolades locally and internationally, including the prestigious Plaridel honorarium for independent cinema. His fellow filmmakers and critics have collectively called him the "Father of Philippine Independent Cinema".

Above National Artist Kidlat Tahimik was a UP graduate (Photo: IMDb)

In 1962 to 1963, Tahimik attended UP Diliman where he was elected Student Council (formerly University Student Union) chairperson. While attending the university he became a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity.

Tahimik, later on, moved to a foreign place and studied at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, earning a Master in Business Administration. Upon his return, he founded AIESEC in the Philippines. In 1968, Tahimik was also able to work as an esteemed researcher at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

Lino Brocka

Like Tahimik, Lino Brocka is also a significant figure in the history of Filipino filmmaking. His works often depict the struggles of the marginalised or neglected sectors of society.

Initially, Brocka enrolled in UP Diliman to major in law; however, this was something he had to let go of to pursue literature instead. While studying at the university, he joined the Drama Club. He later joined the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) where he met its founder Cecille Guidote.

As faith would have it, released his first film 1970's Wanted: Perfect Mother, a box office movie inspired by The Sound of Music.

Above Filmmaker Lino Brocka (Photo: IMDB)

Ely Buendia

Filipino musician, director, and writer Ely Buendia is known to many from the '90s era as a "Filipino rockstar legend". He is the genius behind Eraserheads' hit songs "Ang Huling El Bimbo", "Alapaap", "Ligaya", and many more.

In 1983, Buendia finished his elementary grades in Pasig Catholic College and his high school at the University of Perpetual Help, Rizal. He later enrolled in UP Diliman where he was able to form several bands like Bluidie Tryste, Sunday School, and the famed Eraserheads.

As of this writing, Buendia continues to write and perform through his new band Apartel. He has also joined Offshore Music as an executive.

Above Apartel frontman and Offshore Music executive Ely Buendia (Photo: NME)

De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU)

Jose Manuel Diokno

Jose Wright Diokno or "Ka Pepe" was regarded as the "Father of Human Rights Advocacy in the Philippines". He served as a Senator, Secretary of Justice, founder of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), and founded the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Diokno was the only person to top both the Philippine Bar Examination and the board exam for Certified Public Accountants (CPA). His career was dedicated to the promotion of human rights and Filipino democracy.

Above Jose Dioknon AKA "Ka Pepe" (Photo: ABS-CBN)

In 1937, Diokno graduated as valedictorian of his high school class at De La Salle College (now De La Salle University) and went on a bachelor's degree in commerce.

Tatler Trivia: Jose Diokno is the father of 2022 senatorial aspirant Chel Diokno who, like his father, vowed to support human rights causes.

The Gokongwei and Sy Families

Several members of the Gokongwei and Sy families studied in DLSU. These members include John Gokongwei, Faith Gokongwei, and Hope Gokongwei. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Henry Sy together with his family Hans Sy, Henry Sy Jr., Herbert Sy, and Harley Sy also studied courses in the university.

Both families were included in this year's 10 Richest Filipino BIllionaires, a list revealed and thoroughly studied by Forbes. The Sy siblings were ranked first while the Gokongweis trailed behind them at fourth.

University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Bienvenido Lumbera

Filipino poet, playwright, and national artist received his Litt.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila in 1950, and then his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University in 1968. He was able to cross genres and inspire generations of writers through his critical works Abot Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nababagong Kultura at Lipunan (1987) and Writing the Nation/Pag—Akda ng Bansa. Lumbera is also the genius behind poetry collections like Likhang Diwa (1993) and Balabay: Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang.

Above National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera is a UST graduate

The beloved playwright founded and led many of the country's cultural groups and societies. Among them are the Pambansang Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (Panulat), Philippine Comparative Literature Association, Pamana ng Panitikan ng Pilipinas, Panulat para sa Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan (PAKSA), Kalipunan para sa Literatura ng Pilipinas, Philippine Studies Association, Cultural Research Association of the Philippines, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, and Concerned Artists of the Philippines.

José Rizal

Many consider writer and physician Jose Rizal as the national hero of the Philippines. In 1882 and 1892 Rizal was able to publish his first novel Noli me Tangere, which exposed the atrocities of the friars residing in the Philippines; its sequel, El Filibusterismo established RIzal's reputation as the leading spokesperson of the Philippine reform movement.

Above Dr Jose Rizal (Photo: Presidential Museum and Library/Flickr)

Rizal was undecided when he entered the University of Santo Tomas, the Jesuits priests who had been his former mentors advised Rizal to take up farming but his passion was leaning towards law, literature, and medicine.

Eventually, Rizal ended up pursuing medicine, this decision was because of two factors. First, his mentor, Ateneo's father rector Ramon Pablo, advised him to study the course; second, Rizal's mother has failing eyesight and he thought he should be the one to cure her.

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)

Juan Luna

Filipino painter and sculptor Juan Luna is, without a doubt, the most celebrated artist in the country. Some of his most iconic and remarkable works were Blood Compact, The Death of Cleopatra, and Spoliarium which greets the guests on the first floor of the Philippine National Museum.

Luna began attending the Ateneo de Manila where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. Later on, he went on to enrol himself at the Escuela Nautica de Manila to become a sailor.

In Case You Missed It: The Tragic Life and Legacy of Filipino Painter Juan Luna

Above Juan Luna (Photo: NCCA Official)

Fidel Ramos

Retired general Fidel Ramos, popularly known as FVR, is the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. Amid the 1986 EDSA People Power Uprising, many Filipinos hailed Ramos as a hero who helped the country break free from the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Ramos earned his degree in the United States at the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Military Engineering. He then earned a master's degree in civil engineering at the University of Illinois and in the National Security Administration for the National Defense College of the Philippines.

He earned another master's degree at the Ateneo de Manila University under the Business Administration program.

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos holds up a copy of the October 2007 issue of The Commonwealth magazine (which features a special photo essay on global warming) while he makes a plea for attention to be paid to global warming by governments. The Philippines islands, he noted, are on the front line of experiencing the dangerous effects of climate change (Photo: John Zipperer.)

Above Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos holds up a copy of the October 2007 issue of The Commonwealth magazine (which features a special photo essay on global warming) while he makes a plea for attention to be paid to global warming by governments. The Philippines islands, he noted, are on the front line of experiencing the dangerous effects of climate change (Photo: John Zipperer.)

As of this post, Ramos is the only career military officer who reached the rank of a five-star general de jure. In his six-year term, Ramos was credited for revitalising the world's confidence in the Philippine economy.

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Topics

UP Ateneo University of Santo Tomas University of the Philippines La Salle UAAP