Launch of the First Ladies book by Jose ‘Pepe’ Rodriguez
Fascinated by our country’s matriarchal society, Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez authored a book that was aching to be printed: Portraits of Philippine First Ladies.
The portraits on canvas were done by his wife, renowned artist Lulu Coching-Rodriguez (“the matriarch in my own little kingdom”). These artworks now hang at the Malacañang Palace.
He revisited the original edition published in 2003 by the Tantoco-Rustia Foundation and dedicated the 2025 edition to two matriarchs: Glecy Rustia Tantoco and Nedy Rustia Tantoco, who both led the Rustan’s Group of Companies to be the leaders in the Philippine luxe retail industry.
The book is available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La.
Robert Mananquil with FL Liza Marcos and author Millet Mananquil
US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson and Ambassador Antonio Manuel Lagdameo
Cory and Connie Quirino, granddaughters of President Elpidio Quirino
David Endriga, Catherine Huang- Endriga, and New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh
Kevin and Michelle Tan
Rica and James de Jesus whose mom is the granddaughter of President Sergio Osmeña
Siblings Caloy Campos and Carla Campos with the portrait of their grandmother Leonila Garcia
Abby Laurel with portrait of FL Paciencia Laurel
Carlo Katigbak, Sosec Bianca Zobel, Paul Cabral, Patrick Rosas, Sherwil Robles, Monica Cordoba, Michael Leyva
Pepper Teehankee, Tootsy Angara, Sec. Sonny Angara, Arnel Patawaran, Nina Huang, Carissa Coscoluella, Nikki Huang
Donnie Tantoco
Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata is a grandnephew of Emilio Aguinaldo.
Lito Zulueta
Margie Moran
Tony Lopez
Lulu Casas
The book is available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La.
Robert Mananquil with FL Liza Marcos and author Millet Mananquil
US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson and Ambassador Antonio Manuel Lagdameo
Cory and Connie Quirino, granddaughters of President Elpidio Quirino
David Endriga, Catherine Huang- Endriga, and New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh
Kevin and Michelle Tan
Rica and James de Jesus whose mom is the granddaughter of President Sergio Osmeña
Siblings Caloy Campos and Carla Campos with the portrait of their grandmother Leonila Garcia
Abby Laurel with portrait of FL Paciencia Laurel
Carlo Katigbak, Sosec Bianca Zobel, Paul Cabral, Patrick Rosas, Sherwil Robles, Monica Cordoba, Michael Leyva
Pepper Teehankee, Tootsy Angara, Sec. Sonny Angara, Arnel Patawaran, Nina Huang, Carissa Coscoluella, Nikki Huang
Donnie Tantoco
Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata is a grandnephew of Emilio Aguinaldo.
Lito Zulueta
Margie Moran
Tony Lopez
Lulu Casas
CLOSE
In his speech during the launch, Anton Huang, who heads the Rustan’s SSI Group, said: “The book shows how the Philippine First Ladies wielded influence with elegance and leadership expressed through compassion, dignity, and service. Their lives reflect stories of resistence, grace, and influence… Nedy embodied the same values of strength, devotio,n and excellence.”
