#01Medicine & Public Health
Dr. Mary Ann Lansang
A physician, clinical epidemiologist, teacher, and mentor whose work strengthened infectious-disease research and public-health training in the Philippines and beyond.
Read profile →A growing collection of Filipino lives worth remembering
They rose.
They lifted others.
Celebrating Filipinos who excelled and lifted others along the way.
Why this series?
Our young people deserve to know these names.
Some became internationally famous. Others quietly transformed their professions, their communities, or even their country. Their stories deserve to be remembered, and passed on.
Somewhere, a young Filipino may come across one of them and think: “If they could do it, maybe I can too.”
A personal project by Mila A. Magno
Their stories deserve more than a passing mention. They deserve to be remembered and passed on.
The growing collection
25 stories. And growing.
The numbers indicate only the order in which the stories were featured. They are not rankings.
#01
#02Medicine & Public Health
Dr. Antonio H. Villalon
A pioneering medical oncologist who helped build modern cancer care in the Philippines and trained generations of doctors and nurses to carry the work forward.
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#03Technology & Innovation
Diosdado “Dado” Banatao
From rural Cagayan to Silicon Valley, he became a pioneering engineer and entrepreneur - then used his success to open doors for future Filipino innovators.
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#04Business & Civic Leadership
Loida Nicolas Lewis
A global business leader, lawyer, and philanthropist who used success not only to rise, but to expand opportunity for Filipinos here and abroad.
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#05Arts & Culture
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
A world-class ballerina who brought Philippine ballet to the global stage and helped build a new generation of Filipino dancers through Ballet Manila.
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#06Science & Agriculture
Dr. Ramon C. Barba
A National Scientist whose breakthrough in mango flowering transformed Philippine agriculture and helped farmers harvest more reliably and prosper.
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#07Humanitarian Service
Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, SVD
A priest and humanitarian whose ministry restores dignity to the homeless, the grieving, and the overlooked through service rooted in compassion.
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#08Medicine & Public Health
Dr. Fe del Mundo
A pioneering pediatrician and National Scientist who devoted her life to Filipino children and trained generations of doctors to serve them well.
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#09Education & Youth
Efren Peñaflorida
An educator and youth advocate who turned a pushcart into a classroom and brought learning, hope, and second chances to children on the margins.
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#10Social Innovation
Illac Diaz
A social entrepreneur whose practical, low-cost innovations helped bring light, livelihood, and dignity to communities often left behind.
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#11Science & Environment
Dr. Angel C. Alcala
A National Scientist and marine biologist whose work on marine protected areas helped preserve the seas while improving life for coastal communities.
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#12Medicine & Humanitarian Service
Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, SPC, M.D.
A surgeon and missionary sister who chose to bring medical skill and compassionate care to remote communities with the fewest resources.
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#13Faith & Environment
Fr. Dennis Gabriel “Gabby” Lamug-Nañawa, SJ
A Jesuit priest and environmental leader whose life of service connects faith, community, and care for creation.
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#14Arts & Culture
Gilopez Kabayao
A violin virtuoso and music educator who shared great music widely and helped cultivate deeper appreciation for the arts among Filipinos.
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#15Law & Public Service
Haydee B. Yorac
A lawyer, educator, and public servant remembered for integrity, courage, and principled leadership when institutions most needed both.
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#16Journalism & Education
Eugenia “Eggie” Duran Apostol
A journalist and publisher who defended independent journalism and helped create space for other writers, editors, and truth-tellers to grow.
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#17Education & Leadership
Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez
An educator and global leader whose story - from modest beginnings to university leadership - shows the power of education and opening doors for others.
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#18Medicine & Public Health
Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo
A physician-scientist and National Scientist who made medical research serve ordinary people, especially through work that advanced liver health and public health.
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#19Medicine & Justice
Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun
A leading forensic pathologist and educator who strengthened science-based death investigation in the Philippines and trained others to pursue truth through evidence.
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#20Arts & Literature
Edith L. Tiempo
A National Artist who not only wrote beautifully, but also mentored generations of Filipino writers whose voices continue to shape Philippine literature.
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#21Culinary Arts & Mentorship
Cristeta “Cris” Comerford
A chef who rose to one of the world’s most prestigious kitchens and used excellence, discipline, and mentorship to elevate others along the way.
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#22Science & Agriculture
Dr. Romulo G. Davide
A National Scientist who placed agricultural science in the hands of Filipino farmers and educators, turning research into practical help for the people.
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#23Arts & Culture
Michael A. Dadap
A classical guitarist, composer, conductor, and educator whose artistry has been matched by a lifelong commitment to teaching and cultural enrichment.
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#24Social Enterprise
Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
A social entrepreneur who co-founded Rags2Riches and helped build a business model in which design, dignity, and livelihood rise together.
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#25Arts & Culture
Lenore Raquel Santos Lim
A printmaker, educator, and mentor whose artistic work has gone hand in hand with nurturing younger artists and sustaining Filipino cultural life.
Read profile →All names
Browse the full list.
As the series grows, this directory will remain a quick way to find every person featured.
#11Dr. Angel C. Alcala#16Eugenia “Eggie” Duran Apostol#03Diosdado “Dado” Banatao#06Dr. Ramon C. Barba#21Cristeta “Cris” Comerford#23Michael A. Dadap#22Dr. Romulo G. Davide#08Dr. Fe del Mundo#19Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun#10Illac Diaz#18Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo#24Reese Fernandez-Ruiz#14Gilopez Kabayao#13Fr. Dennis Gabriel “Gabby” Lamug-Nañawa, SJ#01Dr. Mary Ann Lansang#04Loida Nicolas Lewis#25Lenore Raquel Santos Lim#12Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, SPC, M.D.#05Lisa Macuja-Elizalde#09Efren Peñaflorida#20Edith L. Tiempo#17Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez#02Dr. Antonio H. Villalon#07Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, SVD#15Haydee B. Yorac
What makes someone belong here?
Achievement alone is not enough.
We look for people who taught, mentored, served, built institutions, opened doors, or strengthened communities. People who, in some way, helped others rise.
Each profile is thoroughly researched and verified before it is published.
01ExcellenceMeaningful achievement in a chosen field.
02CharacterA life and record that withstand careful scrutiny.
03ServiceWork that reaches beyond personal success.
04Giving BackDocumented ways they helped others rise.
Excellence opens the door. Character, service, and giving back earn the place.
Know someone?
Nominate a Filipino to Look Up To.
Living and deceased Filipinos may be nominated, in the Philippines or abroad. What matters is not fame, but meaningful achievement together with a verifiable record of helping others rise.