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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/pacita-madrigal.avif" alt="Maria Paz Paterno Madrigal" loading="lazy" />
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(Maria Paz Paterno Madrigal)
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<h3>
Early Life and Education
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Pacita was born into a prominent family, the second of seven children of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2918/vicente-madrigal-the-first-filipino-tycoon-was-born-on-april-5-1880-in-gumaca-tayabas" class="news_link">Vicente Madrigal y López</a>, a Filipino-Spanish business tycoon and senator, and Susana Ramos Paterno of Laguna. Raised in the affluent San Miguel district of Manila, Pacita enjoyed a privileged childhood that afforded her exceptional educational opportunities. She excelled academically, graduating as the top student at <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2884/the-history-of-colegio-de-san-juan-de-letran" class="news_link">Colegio de San Juan de Letran</a>, where she was named Princess of Education at age fifteen. 
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Her pursuit of knowledge led her to the Philippine Women's University and later to the Sorbonne at the University of Paris. Pacita furthered her studies with a postgraduate degree in business administration from the Pontifical and Royal <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2891/miguel-de-benavides-credited-as-founder-of-university-of-santo-tomas" class="news_link">University of Santo Tomas</a> in Manila, graduating magna cum laude. She also attended Le Collège Féminin de Bouffemont in Paris, a motivational course with Dale Carnegie, and the Powers School in New York City, showcasing her global outlook and intellectual curiosity.
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In 1934, at age nineteen, Pacita represented Dee Tees (the dominant media outlet of the time) in the Miss Philippines pageant during the Manila Carnival, a prestigious event celebrating Filipino culture. Though she did not win against strong competitors like Clarita Tan Kiang, her participation highlighted her poise and charisma, qualities that would define her public life.
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May 4, 1915: Pacita Madrigal was born in Manila