Studying at Harvard or even stepping foot inside the halls of the reputed university for an experience is already an honor and pride. Well, at least for Filipinos, it is highly considered an honor to have credentials and background in the said university, whether it is for a degree or a short course, still, having to experience the prestigiousness of Harvard University is a dream come true!
I’m pretty sure you have absolutely no idea that a lot of Filipino personalities have a minimal to a full blast Harvard credentials. But, wait a minute! Can we just take a minute to take it in? Harvard is a big deal, and the list is full of surprises!
I mean, let’s not forget that among the many people who have attained the glory, are billionaires, Nobel laureates, and politicians, even.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan
.png)
Topping the list is our very own Senator, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. He took his Masters in Public Administration in 1977 at John F. Kennedy School of Government. No lies, we can see why he would mostly fit the field he is in. We love them with all-brains and passion.
June 5, 1998 nung ako'y nagtapos bilang Master in Public Administration at nagmartsa sa aking graduation mula sa Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. pic.twitter.com/igpT18jzgp
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) June 5, 2022
Isko Moreno
.png)
Other notable politicians are former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who participated in a short program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2012 alongside Jolo Revilla in 2018, for attending a five-day education program for rising and emerging leaders in 2018.
Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach
Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach’s story is a very much story we’d like to tell ourselves. Receiving an acceptance letter in 2019 to enter the Business Management Entrepreneurship in Harvard, The beauty queen told PEP.ph that she had to leave her kids and her husband to pursue her long-time dream. Luckily, Aga Muhlach agreed and she fulfilled it. The stars may have aligned for her!
Charo Santos
.png) |
| Photo from: Philippine Star |
A strong, intelligent, and passionate woman houses the previous chief executive officer of ABS-CBN Corporation, and the host of the longest-running TV drama MMK, Charo Santos. She finished a short advanced management program at Harvard Business School in 2007. Alongside her colleague Carlo Katigbak in 2009.
Karen Davila
Okay now, let’s not forget that the notable journalist Karen Davila was also a delegate in the Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century, short course conducted in 2010 at Harvard Kennedy School.
Dr. Vicki Belo
.png)
In 2019, Dr. Vicky Belo studied a special course at Harvard Extension School, she took Professional Development for Marketing Strategy. She took off to the States with her loving husband (and classmate) Hayden Kho. Oh, and she was classmates with Toni Gonzaga.
Sure, it’s definitely a tremendous opportunity for everyone that has entered the university, but let us not forget that it takes guts, perseverance, intelligence, and somehow a little extra money to be actually studying abroad. But you can stop at nothing to pursue your dreams like these Filipino personalities.
Alas! If you are taking chances at any possible things, who’s to say that your life’s trajectory won’t lead to such success?
