FRANCIS 'Chiz' Escudero dreamed of being president someday. He was at the height of his popularity in 2009 when he had a presidential exploratory committee to prepare for the 2010 elections. He was 40 years old at that time. His was a popularity that commanded huge crowds that you couldn't find a needle if dropped. He was a man in a hurry in those days.

Escudero is a career politician, starting with his plan to run for councilor in Sorsogon at the age of 22 and again as mayor at the age of 25. In both instances, his father, former agriculture secretary Sonny Escudero, didn't like the idea and insisted he finish his law studies before going into politics. Escudero comes from a political family, starting with his grandfather, Salvador Escudero Jr., who became mayor/provincial board member of Casiguran, Sorsogon. Chiz's great-grandfather, Salvador C. 'Gurang' Escudero Sr., entered politics in 1912 as councilor of Casiguran town and went on to become town mayor, provincial board member and governor.