He's a former President's grandson, but Vice Presidential candidate Mar Roxas is also an Araneta.
Mar Roxas was born Manuel A. Roxas II, a namesake of his grandfather, former President Manuel Roxas. We all know this obvious connection because of the name, but I think the majority of us do not know that Mar Roxas is an Araneta.
We have explored Gibo Teodoro's family connections with the Cojuangcos, and of course, we now know that Noynoy Aquino is the only son of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Pres. Cory Cojuangco-Aquino, now let's take a look at VP Candidate Mar Roxas' family tree.
Mar Roxas' Family Tree
Manuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II is the son of Gerardo Manuel "Gerry" Roxas and Judy A. Roxas. His siblings are Maria Lourdes "Ria" Roxas (now married to August Ojeda) and the late Cong. Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr.
Mar's father, Gerry Roxas, himself a former Senator and Presidentiable, is in turn, the son of former Pres. Manuel Roxas.
"Judy A. Roxas" as how she is usually introduced, on the other hand, is an Araneta, heir to the Araneta Coliseum, among other huge businesses. She is the daughter of J. Amado Araneta and Ester Araneta, founders and owners of the Araneta group.
The Araneta Clan, of course, if one of the biggest and most powerful in the Philippines.
Here's a chart to make it easier to understand.
Royalty of Philippine Politics
So, what do you think of the front runners of the Presidential and Vice Presidential race for 2010 - The Royalty of Philippine politics, the richest Filipinos, and the most influential families - the Roxases, the Cojuangcos, the Aranetas and the Villars - all vying for the most powerful seats in the land.
Are they sincere in their proclamations of change, of progress, of integrity? Or at they just out to protect their own assets and businesses?
Share your views.
Photo from here.
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