West Visayas State University, Iloilo City (From First Lady’s Facebook page).
In a country where the First Lady is often seen as a figure of elegance, influence, and diplomacy, Liza Araneta-Marcos has carved out a different image for herself — one that includes standing in front of a whiteboard, coffee in hand, walking her students through the complexities of Civil Law Review.
This week, at West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo City, Marcos quietly kicked off another semester of teaching. No motorcade fanfare, no presidential seal — just “Professor Liza,” as her law students know her.
Teaching isn’t a side project she picked up after her husband became president. It’s been her rhythm for decades. Before WVSU, she taught law at Far Eastern University, Saint Louis University, Mariano Marcos State University, and several others. Her classroom style? A mix of tough-love and wit. Students say she can be intimidating with her questions, but she also cracks the kind of dry jokes only a seasoned lawyer would get.
What makes this double life compelling is the contrast. One day she’s hosting dignitaries in Malacañang, the next she’s handing out exam questions in Iloilo. For her students, the novelty hasn’t worn off: “You don’t expect your professor to also be the First Lady,” one remarked, “but in class, she’s just Ma’am.”
And maybe that’s the secret to her charm — she manages to slip between two worlds with ease. Iloilo, her father’s hometown, grounds her. The classroom keeps her sharp. And the role of First Lady, with its ceremonies and causes, gives her a national stage.
It’s a modern balancing act that feels part Netflix drama, part everyday life. In an era where public figures are expected to do it all, Marcos shows that sometimes the most powerful thing a First Lady can do is step away from the spotlight and back into the classroom — shaping future lawyers one lecture at a time.