Temario “Temy” C. Rivera was a prominent Filipino educator and political scientist whose work profoundly influenced the understanding of Philippine politics and development. He earned both his Bachelor and Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines, followed by a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Fulbright scholar. Rivera authored over fifty publications, including his notable book Landlords and Capitalists: Class, Family and State in Philippine Manufacturing, which provided critical insights into the socio-economic structures of the Philippines.
As a founding member of the Asia Pacific Basin for Energy Strategies, Rivera’s impact extended beyond academia into policy-making, where he advocated for sustainable development strategies. He served as Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman and was Editor-in-Chief of the Collegian and Philippine Political Science Journal, emphasizing his commitment to scholarly discourse. Rivera also taught at the International Christian University in Tokyo for nearly twelve years. His legacy continues to inspire scholars and policymakers dedicated to addressing challenges in the Philippines and the broader Asia-Pacific region.