What drives tomorrow’s leaders? Meet the next generation of Filipinos bound for these top global universities

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I chose Claremont McKenna (CMC) for various reasons—the student life and community truly stood out to me, as did the moment when my family dropped my Kuya off and people we did not know offered to help us move in.

What expectations do you have for university?
I hope to become more independent, taking full responsibility for my choices, my time and how I choose to spend it in college. My mum and dad won’t be a couple of steps away, always checking on me, even though my mum might expect daily calls. Nevertheless, I hope to take advantage of this valuable opportunity that only a small percentage of people in our country have.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
The indelible experiences are the seemingly mundane ones: talking about life with my friends while waiting in line in the cafeteria; learning awkward performance techniques in my theatre class; walking through the boisterous hallways, greeting my peers; the free periods between classes; eating with my basketball teammates after our practices.

What did you learn about yourself during the intense college application process?
During a period of intense introspection and reflection, I often sat and thought long and hard about who I am and how I wanted to represent myself in a few hundred words. When I reflected on my experiences, I realised that the most important things about me do not stem from any particular achievement, but rather from the daily interactions I have had.

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Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I chose King’s College London because its History and Political Economy programme offers an unstructured, organic perspective on how the world operates. Rather than focusing on neat mathematical models, the course lets me dive into the messy reality of how power, culture and wealth intersect, and how the global rules were written and by whom.

What expectations do you have for university?
I expect university to be a lesson in independence. I actually want to be put in situations that make me a little uncomfortable, because I think friction is the best way to grow and change how I see things.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
My dad always gives me a reality check because I have a habit of putting too much pressure on myself. I need to remind myself that life isn’t so serious and that I need to live and enjoy the ride rather than just racing to the finish line.

How do you hope to use your education to give back to the country?
By studying the intersection of history, wealth and power, I aim to deepen my understanding of how to navigate global systems. I hope to use that knowledge to help shape policies or industries that can drive genuine, sustainable progress for the country on the world stage.

What course will you be taking up in university?
I’ll study Politics, Culture and Social Sciences at King’s College, London.

What was the best advice your parents or friends gave you on going to university?
My parents always reminded me to stay open to new experiences but never lose sight of who I am. Moving to a different country means meeting people with different beliefs and ways of life, and they encouraged me to learn from those differences while staying true to my values.

What did you learn about yourself during the intense college application process?
The application process gave me the opportunity to reflect on my growth over the past few years. Writing multiple personal statements encouraged me to think not only about the experiences that shaped me, but also about what I truly wanted from my university education. It made me more intentional in choosing a course and a university that aligned with my interests, values and long-term goals, rather than simply focusing on rankings or prestige. By the end of the process, I had a much clearer understanding of who I am, what motivates me and the direction I want to take moving forward.

What’s the one thing about Filipino culture you absolutely cannot wait to introduce to your international classmates?
Filipino hospitality—the culture of making people feel welcome, whether that’s inviting them to eat, celebrating together or simply making sure no one feels left out. I’d also love to introduce them to Filipino food, since sharing a meal is one of the easiest ways to connect with people.

How do you hope to use your education to give back to the country?
I wanted to study abroad to step outside the environment I’ve always known. There’s a lot to learn from seeing how different societies approach similar challenges. Whatever field I eventually pursue, I hope to bring those perspectives home and apply them in ways that make sense for the Philippines.

What course will you be taking up in university?
I’ll be pursuing Environmental Studies and International Affairs at Northeastern University. Environmental challenges and their impact on politics, economics and global cooperation have always interested me. The programme allows me to explore both the scientific and policy sides of creating sustainable solutions. 

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
One of the most memorable parts of high school was being part of a community that encouraged curiosity and initiative. Whether it was collaborating on sustainability projects, participating in discussions about global issues, or working with classmates from different backgrounds, I learnt that some of the best ideas come from listening to diverse perspectives. Those experiences shaped both my academic interests and my outlook on the world.

What was the best advice your parents or friends gave you on going to university?
The best advice I received was to stay open to opportunities, even if they take me outside my comfort zone. University isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about meeting people, exploring new interests, making mistakes and growing from those experiences. That reminder has helped me approach this next chapter with excitement instead of fear.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I think the future will present both significant challenges and incredible opportunities. Climate change, geopolitical tensions and technological advances will require thoughtful leaders who can collaborate across disciplines and borders. While there is uncertainty, I’m optimistic because I believe our generation is increasingly committed to creating innovative, inclusive solutions.

How do you hope to use your education to give back to the country?
I hope to use my education to help develop policies and partnerships that support environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth in the Philippines. As a country especially vulnerable to climate change, I believe we need leaders who understand both local realities and global systems. I want to contribute to solutions that strengthen communities while protecting our natural resources for future generations.

What course will you be taking in university?
I’ll be majoring in Business at Santa Clara University.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I chose Santa Clara for its strong internship connections, particularly its proximity to Silicon Valley. I’m excited to dive into a new environment and to see what’s out there for me.

What expectations do you have for university?
I’m really looking forward to the independence that comes with living in a new city and building my own routine. I’m excited to delve deeper into my business classes and explore how I can apply them in the real world. But university is also about meeting new people, stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing new adventures.

How do you hope to use your education to give back to the country?
I want to take everything I learn about business abroad and bring those fresh perspectives home. I don’t want my degree to be just about making a profit; I’d love to use it to invest in initiatives that support education in the Philippines. We have so much amazing local talent; I want to find ways to help them shine and be recognised.

What’s a dream or wish you have for the country and the world?
For the Philippines, I hope we can build a system that supports our youth and equips local talent with the resources they need to thrive. Globally, I wish for a more empathetic world where businesses care as much about making a positive social impact as they do about their bottom line. My biggest wish is for a world where opportunities are accessible to all.

Read also: How ‘Top Chef’ Season 23 winner Rhoda Magbitang turned nostalgic Filipino flavours into culinary gold

What course will you be taking up in university?
I’ll be double-majoring in Economics and Government at Harvard University.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
The best advice I received from my parents was not to focus solely on academics for all four years. They often reminded me that university is also about the people you meet, the friendships you build and the experiences you share.

What’s the one thing about Filipino culture you absolutely cannot wait to introduce to your international classmates?
I would introduce them to the idea of bayanihan, the Filipino spirit of helping one another. It is a value I have seen throughout my life, from neighbours supporting each other during difficult times to communities coming together to help those in need. In a world that can often feel divided, I think there is something powerful about a culture that places such importance on collective responsibility and caring for others.

How do you hope to use your education to give back to the country?
I hope to use my education to expand opportunities for Filipinos, particularly in migration, education and economic mobility. At 13, I founded Full Phils, a nongovernmental organisation that provides online college education to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong through scholarships. Through this work, I have met countless individuals whose talent and determination far exceed the opportunities available to them. Through Full Phils, I have learnt that education opens doors and opportunities, enabling people to pursue futures that may once have seemed out of reach. Seeing that impact firsthand has strengthened my belief that investing in human capital is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change.

What course will you be taking in university?
I’ll be studying Business Administration in the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
One thing I loved most about my previous school was its sense of community. Although USC is much larger, I’m looking forward to meeting people whose lives and experiences are very different from mine.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I’m excited about the future, but I think I’m approaching it with more curiosity than certainty. If anything, the past few years have taught me that some of the most meaningful opportunities and friendships come from places you never expected. More than that, I hope to keep learning, stay open to new experiences, and continue finding meaning in the people and communities that surround me. The details may change, but I hope that stays the same.

What’s a dream or wish you have for the country and the world?
My wish is that people feel more comfortable being themselves. We spend so much time chasing expectations—whether set by society, family or even ourselves—that it’s so easy to lose sight of what truly matters to us.

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