Theodore Bradford Macabulos Aquino, a.k.a. Kuya Ted, official names registered at Comelec, was born in Manila in 1948. He is a tested community leader, a successful world-class professional, and a global Filipino with a vision of the country’s future.

He is the President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA), Commissioner of the UP Centennial Commission, and has served as President of major organizations, including the Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers (FASAE), San Jose Maharlika Lions Club, and Most Holy Rosary Church Fil-Am Club. He is the recipient of awards of excellence and leadership, including: Outstanding Centennial Achiever – 2006 San Francisco Pistahan Centennial Festival; and Outstanding Performance in the Field of Engineering - The Eye International Publishers. He is a key mover of the Global Filipino Forum and Global Filipinos Coalition.

Kuya Ted is a registered California professional engineer (C28916) and Principal Engineer, Aquino & Associates, Rio Vista, California, with over 35 continuous years of increasing responsibility and professional experience in civil engineering, highways and mass transport systems, solid waste management engineering, public works construction projects, construction management and land surveying. He received his B.S. Civil Engineering from University of the Philippines and has completed post graduate courses in management engineering and computer applications.

A dual Filipino-American citizen, he has provided “pro bono” consultancy services to the Philippines through the UNDP’s Program for Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals (TOKEN), thus giving back to the Motherland development-oriented knowledge, skills and expertise. The father of Kuya Ted is Claudio “Bebe” Du Rollot Aquino (deceased), World War II guerilla fighter, while his mother is Luz Cabrera Macabulos (deceased), educator and music teacher. His paternal grandparents are Gonzalo Quiambao Aquino and Andrea Du Rollot, while his maternal grandparents are Teodato Pascual Macabulos and Donata David Cabrera. His paternal great grandparents are Gen. Servillano Aquino and Guadalupe Tañedo Quiambao, while his maternal great grandparents are Gen. Francisco Soliman Macabulos and Dorotea Yambao Pascual. Kuya Ted has 4 children.

Is there anyone aspiring for the Philippine Senate who fights for the rights of overseas Filipinos and the welfare of their loved ones at home? Is there any candidate who lives overseas and the Motherland at the same time, therefore understanding the relevant conditions at home and abroad?

These had for a long time been rhetorical questions with a negative answer. Enter “Kuya Ted Aquino – Kampeon ng Overseas Filipino”.

Kuya Ted’s overriding goal is to redress the abused, disadvantaged and neglected position of overseas Filipino and their families at home. They are second class, marginalized citizens with no representation in government. Nonetheless, they seek to strengthen the Motherland’s governance – a goal shared by most Filipinos.

The advocacy of Kuya Ted has been through the Global Filipino Forum and Global Filipinos Coalition, an organization of major overseas Filipino organizations and leaders, which have lobbied, among others, for the Overseas Absentee Voting Law (OAVL), the Dual Citizenship Law, migrants’ rights, and governance reforms. These organizations and their advocacies have linked us to the entire global Filipino community, including their onshore families.

The overseas Filipino community has long recognized the need for a committed leader to champion the cause of overseas Filipinos – citizens who have been orphaned by the elitist structure of government. After it became clear that the May 2007 elections would take place, global Filipino leaders prevailed on Kuya Ted to carry their torch to our compatriots all over the world, including, importantly, within the Philippines.

To Kuya Ted, service to the Motherland means to champion the rights of overseas Filipinos, in the process aligning with the goal of the majority of our countrymen of bringing about a strengthening of country governance.

1. fighting for the rights of overseas Filipinos and the welfare of their loved ones at home; 2. job creation and economic reintegration for that constituency; 3. attainment of equal rights for overseas Filipino, especially legislative proportional representation; 4. private sector development and government shrinkage; 5. justice, law and order; 6. restructuring the educational system to develop competitive global citizens; and 7. charter change for good governance and the common good.

There are more than 10 million overseas Filipinos who, together with onshore relatives, total more than 60 million or about two-thirds of all Filipinos. They are clamoring for dedicated leadership to uphold their rights and welfare. It is elating to witness and experience the full and enthusiastic support of the overseas Filipino community for Kuya Ted.

Onshore grass roots organizations are aligned with him. Civil society recognizes the convergence of the goal of his candidacy with their goals.

The candidacy of Kuya Ted brings fresh winds and new hope – a face that is untarnished by traditional politics and special interests.