EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
Roxas was born to Gerardo Roxas, Sr. and Rosario Acuña on New Year's Day 1892 in Capiz (present-day Roxas City). He was a posthumous child, as his father Gerardo had died after having been mortally wounded by Spanish guardias civiles the year before. He and his older brother, Mamerto, to be raised by their mother and her father, Don Eleuterio Acuña.
The young Manuel received his early education in the public schools of Capiz, and at age twelve attended St. Joseph's Academy in Taiwan, but due to homesickness, he went back to Capiz. He eventually transferred to Manila High School (later named Araullo High School), graduating with honours in 1909.
Roxas began his law studies at a private law school established by George A. Malcolm, the first dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law. On his second year, he enrolled at University of the Philippines, where he was elected president of both his class and the student council. In 1913, Roxas obtained his law degree, graduated class valedictorian, and subsequently topped the bar examinations with a grade of 92% on the same year.
Personal life
Family
Manuel Roxas was married to Trinidad de Leon at Our Lady of Remedies Church located at Barangay Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan in 1921. The couple had two children, Ma. Rosario "Ruby" Roxas who is married to Vicente Roxas (no relation) and Gerardo M. "Gerry" Roxas who married Judy Araneta.
Gerry became a member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a leader of Liberal Party of the Philippines. He fathered three children, two of them, Dinggoy Roxas and Mar Roxas, served as representatives from Capiz. Mar became a Senator in 2004, and he was elected president of the Liberal Party in 2004. His daughter-in-law Judy continues to be a prominent and driving force of the Liberal Party.
Daughter Ruby has an only son, named Manuel but nicknamed Manolo. His son Gerardo, who died in 1982, had three children: Maria Lourdes Roxas, married to Augusto Ojeda, Manuel, nicknamed Mar, whose spouse is broadcaster Korina Sanchez, and Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr. (1960–1993).
Other descendants:
Other relatives:
The young Manuel received his early education in the public schools of Capiz, and at age twelve attended St. Joseph's Academy in Taiwan, but due to homesickness, he went back to Capiz. He eventually transferred to Manila High School (later named Araullo High School), graduating with honours in 1909.
Roxas began his law studies at a private law school established by George A. Malcolm, the first dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law. On his second year, he enrolled at University of the Philippines, where he was elected president of both his class and the student council. In 1913, Roxas obtained his law degree, graduated class valedictorian, and subsequently topped the bar examinations with a grade of 92% on the same year.
Personal life
Family
Manuel Roxas was married to Trinidad de Leon at Our Lady of Remedies Church located at Barangay Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan in 1921. The couple had two children, Ma. Rosario "Ruby" Roxas who is married to Vicente Roxas (no relation) and Gerardo M. "Gerry" Roxas who married Judy Araneta.
Gerry became a member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a leader of Liberal Party of the Philippines. He fathered three children, two of them, Dinggoy Roxas and Mar Roxas, served as representatives from Capiz. Mar became a Senator in 2004, and he was elected president of the Liberal Party in 2004. His daughter-in-law Judy continues to be a prominent and driving force of the Liberal Party.
Daughter Ruby has an only son, named Manuel but nicknamed Manolo. His son Gerardo, who died in 1982, had three children: Maria Lourdes Roxas, married to Augusto Ojeda, Manuel, nicknamed Mar, whose spouse is broadcaster Korina Sanchez, and Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr. (1960–1993).
Other descendants:
- Margarita Moran-Floirendo, (born Maria Margarita Roxas-Moran), granddaughter of former President and Miss Universe 1973
Other relatives:
- Margarita Roxas de Ayala (1826–1869), considered the first Filipino philanthropist and the greatest businessperson of her time
- Don Jose Bonifacio Roxas (1834–1888), younger brother of Margarita Roxas de Ayala and father of Pedro Pablo Roxas. In 1851 he would purchase the former Jesuit estate of Hacienda de San Pedro de Macati, which would become the future basis of the Zobel de Ayala Family wealth.
- Felix Roxas y Fernandez (1864–1936), mayor of Manila from 1905 to 1917.
- Felix Roxas y Arroyo (1820–?), father of Felix Roxas y Fernandez, the first Filipino qualified architect
- Felipe Roxas y Arroyo (1840–1899), the painter who emigrated to Paris
- Pedro Pablo Roxas (1847–1912), one of the richest Filipinos at the turn of 20th century, the first manager of San Miguel Brewery
- Francisco Roxas (1851–1897), second cousin of Pedro Pablo Roxas, a musician turned businessman who was falsely accused of complicity with the Katipunan. He was one of the "13 Martyrs of Bagumbayan".
- Antonio J. Roxas, present chairman of board of Roxas & Company, Inc. and chairman emeritus of Roxas Holdings, and director of Central Azucarero Don Pedro