Claro Mayo Recto Jr.

(February 8, 1890 – October 2, 1960)

Was a Filipino statesman, jurist, poet and one of the foremost statesmen of his generation. He is
remembered for his nationalism, for "the impact of his patriotic convictions on modern political thought".
Recto was born in Tiáong, Tayabas (now known as Quezon province), Philippines, of educated,
upper middle class parents, Claro Recto, Sr. of Rosario, Batangas, and Micaela Mayo of Lipa, Batangas.
He studied Latin at Instituto de Rizal in Lipa, Batangas, from 1900 to 1901. He continued his education at
Colegio del Sagrado Corazón of Don Sebastián Virrey. He moved to Manila to study at Ateneo de Manila
where he consistently obtained outstanding scholastic grades, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree
maxima cum laude. He received a Masters of Laws degree from University of Santo Tomás. He later
received his Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) honorary degree from Central Philippine University in 1969.

José P. Laurel, (March 9, 1891 – November 6, 1959)

Was a Filipino politician and judge. He was the president of the Second Philippine Republic, a
Japanese puppet state when occupied during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Since the administration of
President Diosdado Macapagal (1961–1965), Laurel has been officially recognized by later administrations
as former president of the Philippines.
José Paciano Laurel y García was born on March 9, 1891 in the town of Tanauan, Batangas. His
parents were Sotero Laurel I and Jacoba García. His father had been an official in the revolutionary
government of Emilio Aguinaldo and a signatory to the 1898 Malolos Constitution.

While a teen, Laurel was indicted for attempted murder when he almost killed a rival suitor of the
girl he stole a kiss from with a fan knife. While studying and finishing law school, he argued for and
received an acquittal.
Laurel received his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1915,
where he studied under Dean George A. Malcolm, whom he would later succeed on the Supreme Court.
He then obtained a Master of Laws degree from University of Santo Tomas in 1919. Laurel then attended
Yale Law School, where he obtained his J.S.D. degree.
Laurel began his life in public service while a student, as a messenger in the Bureau of Forestry
then as a clerk in the Code Committee tasked with the codification of Philippine laws. During his work for
the Code Committee, he was introduced to its head, Thomas A. Street, a future Supreme Court Justice who
would be a mentor to the young Laurel.

Upon his return from Yale, Laurel was appointed first as Undersecretary of the Interior Department,
then promoted as Secretary of the Interior in 1922. In that post, he would frequently clash with the American
Governor-General Leonard Wood, and eventually, in 1923, resign from his position together with other
Cabinet members in protest of Wood's administration. His clashes with Wood solidified Laurel's nationalist
credentials.
Rufino Jiao Santos (August 26, 1908 - September 3, 1973)
Was the 29th Archbishop of Manila from February 10, 1953 until his death on September 3, 1973,
and was the first Filipino elevated to the rank of cardinal.
Born in Barangay Sto. Niño, Guagua, Pampanga, Santos was the fourth of seven children of
Gaudencio Santos, an overseer of farmland near Mount Arayat, and Rosalia Jiao. Rufino's three elder
brothers were Manuel, Emiliano and Quirino; his three sisters were Clara, Jovita, and Exequiela. Santos,
nicknamed "Pinong", grew up in a house located 30 metere from what is now the Immaculate Conception
Parish. He was active in church activities as acolyte, and was later a choir member of the Manila Cathedral
School. Two factors influenced his priestly vocation: his stint as an altar server, and the encouragement of
Father Jose Tahon, Manila Cathedral's parish priest.