Tingting Cojuangco (photo from instagram @tingcojuangco)
Aside from her many high-profile advocacies spanning social, health, and cultural causes, particularly Muslim culture, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco herself has long been a fashion icon. At the height of her “It Girl” status, she was frequently asked about her style. “It’s still a white shirt, khaki skirt, but always white,” she said. “White clothes can be crisp and clean-looking, and they are easy to wear. I have kept that look. Black carries you from morning to night.”
Cojuangco is also known for academic pursuits tied to her interest in Mindanao. She earned her master’s and doctorate in Philippine history from the University of Santo Tomas, concentrating on the history of Muslim communities. She studied Islamic culture at the University of the Philippines under Dean Julpikli Wadi.
When she was Tarlac governor in the 1990s, she studied anthropology at the University of the Philippines to learn about the Muslims traversing the country. Her research through the decades took her across Mindanao, where she worked closely with local communities and relied on friends and political contacts to access remote areas.
“I wanted to bring this history to the Christians of Luzon,” she said. “Many are unaware of it, and even today, it remains distant from their daily lives,” she said.
Aside from being a lifelong learner, Cojuangco is a doting grandmother to 11 grandchildren—five girls and six boys—and a parent to two dogs. “We entertain ourselves and do things together,” she said. The grandchildren call her “Wawa.” The family members all take turns caring for the patriarch, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, 91, who is 10 years her senior.
Former students and colleagues address her as Dr. Cojuangco, in admiration for her work in Mindanao and her advocacy for Muslim culture. She still visits the region regularly, maintaining several homes in Maguindanao and Sindangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Over the years, she has collected and cataloged Muslim cultural artifacts, stored across her properties.
Leonilo Agustin, Margarita ‘Tingting’ Cojuangco, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, Albert Andrada
Now, going back to her “softer” side, the style icon and former politician has revived “Tingting’s List: The Elegant Filipinas 2025,” marking its return after a six-year hiatus. The last edition was in 2019.
Cojuangco said no one had ever created a personal list of elegant women; most lists focus only on who is best-dressed. True elegance, she maintained, goes beyond fashion. “Anyone can buy a dress and look good. This event honors women for their polish, intelligence, social grace, and advocacy,” she said.
This year’s relaunch brings Cojuangco together with Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, fashion designer Albert Andrada, and event organizer Leonilo Agustin.
The concept began in 2015, when Gerald Ortiz, a board member from Quezon Province, suggested presenting a group of beautiful women in a parade. “I said, ‘No, that’s not going to work,’” Cojuangco recalled. Instead, she and Ledesma met at Manila Diamond Hotel and pitched a more meaningful idea: a show that celebrated women of grace and purpose. The hotel hosted the gala for four consecutive years until the pandemic interrupted the annual affair.
For Cojuangco, the selection of honorees is guided by both instinct and observation. She looks for women whose grace and manners are inborn—those who carry themselves with class in the way they speak, act, and even eat. “You know instinctively when a woman has relevance and elegance.”
‘You know instinctively when a woman has relevance and elegance’
The criteria extend beyond personality to presentation and comportment. Cojuangco lamented that casual attire often replaces proper dressing, even for churchgoers, recalling a visit to Zambales where a mother carefully dressed her young sons in khaki pants and white shirts for services. She contrasted this with her experiences in Tondo, where malong were handed out to women wearing shorts in church. “Why can’t we honor God with elegance?” she asked, noting that while the Catholic Church may decide how to be strict, the list maintains firm standards for what it considers an elegant woman.
The rebooted Elegant Filipinas, held Nov. 5, 2025 at Makati Shangri-La, drew roughly 400 guests, all dressed with care and sophistication. “It’s been a long time since there have been events where women make it a point to look and feel special,” Cojuangco said. She said true elegance cannot be bought with power or money. Through the event, she hopes to celebrate that ideal.
The 2025 honorees from diverse fields are celebrated not only for their style, but also for their commitment to social causes and community engagement.
Sharon Cuneta, the film and music megastar, supports educational projects and children’s health initiatives.
Marian Rivera, actress and public figure, has participated in children’s health (through free corrective surgeries, for instance) and efforts promoting financial education for Filipino families.
Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, Miss Universe 2015, influencer, and advocate, is known for her global advocacy work in HIV awareness, women’s rights, and mental health.
Margarita Gutierrez is the Undersecretary of the Department of Justice, and has been advancing legal reform and access to justice initiatives
Janet Olivarez, City Nutrition Action Officer of Parañaque, leads in community nutrition programs aimed at childhood stunting, food security, and local health-education partnerships.
Vanessa Pastor-Ledesma, entrepreneur and consul of Montenegro, champions entrepreneurship among women, and mentors start-ups and cross-border cultural-business exchange.
Nikki Teodoro, Special Envoy of the President to UNICEF, is a child-rights advocate who focuses on protecting Filipino children from online sexual exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, including those with disabilities and living in conflict areas.
Joy Wambangco Rustia, entrepreneur with the Wamrus Group of Companies, supports micro-enterprises in rural Philippines, enabling livelihood opportunities for women and youth.
Linda Ley is a style savant who has been involved in feeding programs for underprivileged children and support for animal welfare work in Metro Manila.
Annette Gozon-Valdes, lawyer and president and CEO of GMA Films and president of GMA Worldwide, is cited for leadership in media, championing storytelling of social issues, and programs for youth empowerment.
Crystal Jacinto, owner of Villa Medica Philippines and lead investor in Conti’s/Wendy’s Philippines, is involved in educational assistance for underserved children through her foundation, and promotes wellness and preventive health through her medical and wellness ventures.
Asked whether there are plans for Elegant Filipinas 2026, Cojuangco said it depends on their energy after the recent event. The evening’s beneficiaries were children with advanced rare diseases and congenital disorders, a cause championed by Dr. Carmencita Padilla, a globally recognized expert in pediatric genetics and congenital disorders. She focuses on rare and degenerative diseases in children, which affect more than 5,500 Filipinos and can limit mobility and independence. She also advocates Republic Act 10747, which supports persons with rare diseases.
Cojuangco explained, “Those who came that night gave what they could to help curb these diseases. For those afflicted, the support helps them walk, talk, and engage with the world. It is always about giving to others. Even small contributions have real impact.”
Each edition of Elegant Filipinas has always supported a cause, Cojuangco said, underscoring that it was never intended for profit. Over the years, proceeds have benefited the Center of Possibilities Foundation for children with autism, the Gabay Guro Foundation for teachers, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines, typhoon victims, and the weavers of La Trinidad in the Mountain Province. This year’s beneficiary was the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, which assists children with advanced rare diseases and congenital conditions.
With decades of experience behind her, Cojuangco has begun drafting facets of her life. “I’m getting old,” she said. “It’s time to write a memoir.”
