About Mikee
She is an actress, an athlete and a public servant rolled into one persona and her dedication and perseverance are the traits she keeps in mind to excel in all aspects. Despite her privileged background, Mikee Cojuangco, has remained down-to-earth and an advocate of the simpler things in life.
Mikaela María Antonia Cojuangco-Jaworski, (born Mikaela María Antonia de los Reyes Cojuangco), better known simply as Mikee Cojuangco or Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, is a Chinese Filipino equestrianne, local television host and actress from the Philippines. She is a gold medalist in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
She was born on February 26, 1974 to Tarlac congressman and current Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. and Tarlac governor Margarita "Tingting" de los Reyes-Cojuangco. Her father is from a famous Cojuangco family which has mixed Kapampangan, Chinese, and Spanish blood. The Conjuangco family owns a vast sugar plantation in Tarlac known as Hacienda Luisita. She is also the niece of former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.
Mikee started to show interest in riding at age eight but was only allowed to take lessons by her parents when she turned 10. At the age of 16, she joined her first international competition at Shizuoka, Japan where she placed third in the individual show jumping. But her best winning moment happened just before the curtains fell on the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Mikee managed to bag Philippines’ third and last gold medal in the individual show jumping event.
She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1995.
Aside from being a champion rider, Mikee is also a TV and movie actress and a commercial model. She is married to Pasig City congressman Robert "Dudut" Jaworski, Jr., son of basketball player and senator Robert "Sonny" Jaworski. Together, they have three sons named Robert Vincent Anthony III (Robbie), Rafael Joseph (Raf) and Renzo Mikael.
"Because I’m in show business, I get my share of intrigues, but if I’ve been able to keep it to the minimum, I think it’s probably because I don’t give people any reason to attack me. And I don’t let it affect me."
"I keep my horses in a friend’s farm in Lipa. So, every morning, at around 5:00 a.m., I go to Lipa and ride. After riding, I work out. You see, I injured my knee four years ago, and I still go through therapy for it. So, I shoot for movies, do tapings for my TV show and attend to my other commitments in the afternoons."
"My life has always been the same ever since I was born. I’ve known no other kind of life, and I’ve nothing to compare myself with. But I don’t think I’m that different from others. Being a politician’s daughter can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. It’s an advantage in the sense that you’re in a position where if you want to help someone, you can. But it’s also a disadvantage because people tend to judge you right away. I remember when I was small, kids didn’t want to make friends with me because they thought I was too proud."
"I’m involved with a youth group called KAKAMPI, or Kabataang Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino. What we want to do is send the message out that it doesn’t really matter how much or how little you have. If you’re willing to commit yourself to something that you like to do and you work hard for it, you will be happy and at the same time you can earn from doing something that makes you happy."
"I believe in three things. First, if you have the opportunity to do something, make use of that opportunity. Second, always be yourself. It’s hard to pretend to be someone you’re not. Third, no matter what you do, make sure you don’t step on anyone on your way up."
"What’s my idea of fun? No stress! I guess it’s being able to relax and do something you enjoy, and it all depends on your mood. Fun could be jumping into the pool with all your clothes on or simply lying in bed." |
"When I was small, my Dad would visit his horses as early as 5:00 a.m. every day. Aside from him, my cousins were also riding. So, when I was 8, I already wanted to ride, but my parents allowed me to do so when I was already 10. I started competing in equestrian events right away, and I’ve been blessed to have won a number of awards. Of them all, I think the most memorable was the gold that I won with the entire Philippine team in the Asia-Pacific Equestrian Championships held in Australia back in 1995."
"I don’t have idols. It’s because when a person has an idol, he tends to be satisfied to reach a point which is not far as his idol has reached, when in fact he could achieve more. Everyone is unique, and you just have to learn to see the positive side and enhance it. I look up to certain people though: My mom, for being very intense and hardworking; my dad for being very patient and wise; my riding coach Vicki Roycroft; and my friend Regine Velasquez, who’s talented but has remained simple and kind."