The first president of Highlanders was VICENTE LIWANAG. Enteng, as he was fondly called, 
steered the association at the critical stage of infancy. Knowing the sensitive susceptibilities of a newly-born organization, he invested time, effort and professional competence with the diligence of a good father of the family. He led with dedication. His firm but fair management style, his calculating disposition and his vision succeeded in the laying the proper foundation of long life for the association. Enteng planted the seed of eternity in the Highlanders.
steered the association at the critical stage of infancy. Knowing the sensitive susceptibilities of a newly-born organization, he invested time, effort and professional competence with the diligence of a good father of the family. He led with dedication. His firm but fair management style, his calculating disposition and his vision succeeded in the laying the proper foundation of long life for the association. Enteng planted the seed of eternity in the Highlanders. 
A soft-spoken action man in the person of AVELINO DOMINGO became the second president. Avelino managed with distinction. He was well-loved. He built a strong unity of members despite the youth and tenderness that then characterized Highlanders. He was exceptionally generous. He had the Highlanders moving with excitement and action. Apart from expertly cultivating the seed of eternity, he ushered in an aura of confidence and stability in the organization. Avelino was also a patron father and manager to the Highlanders--he was a continuum of encouragement, suport and benevolence. Even after his term, he continued to be the moving spirit of the Highlanders chamption selecton team.
The third president was RODRIGO F. CRUZ, an epitome of youth, action and dynamism. Rody then belonged to the impatient breed of performers who wanted to cross barriers and get things done immediately. Through his personal efforts, Rody had the Highlanders court cemented and fenced. Not contented with this concrete accomplishments, he initiated the formation of two (2) selection teams that gave Highlanders in 1961 back to back championships. The first champion trophy was won at Luna Star tournament and the second was at the Inter-Barrio League in Poblacion. Rody established for Highlanders a court of infinity and image of nobility. 
MADLANGLAYON C. CRUZ was the fourth president. He was warmly called by his nickname YOYONG. He was full of wisdom and a visionary who saw the dawning of a bright tomorrow for the association. Yoyong spearheaded the design and completion of the official Highlanders flag, a symbolic piece of cloth that for years projected a vivid identity for Highlanders. He reinforced in the public mind the favorable perception about Highlanders. Under him, several external players who later made it good in the big leagues joined the organization. Without sacrificing quality, he had reached out and let Highlanders be accessible to those genuinely interested in sports. Yoyong infused into the membership a deep sense of pride and fulfullment--the Highlanders flag still banners an august body with impeccable reputation.
EMMANUEL "JOWENG" E. CRUZ, the son of the later Mayor Pedro Cruz has the fifth presidential post. Always oozing with warmth and love for people, Joweng led the Highlanders into an era of social festivities. He opened the Highlanders court during off-basketball season as a venue for fund-raising shows, induction balls, and coronation nights. Music, dances, parties, cocktails, benefit shows, muses, balloons, decors and all the brighter side of life attracted the younger generation to Highlanders. Joweng dutifully transformed the Highlanders into a grass-root organization--apolitical, vibrant, socially mature, and culturally updated. The Highlanders never had it so light and festive until Joweng showed what responsible leadership was under a cosmopolitan leadership. 
The six president was RENATO "RETH" C. DOMINGO. In a general elections in 1976, he led the entry of the "young turks". From this group, Reth headed a Board of Directors that packed power, competence and action--a policy-making body that wanted to breakaway from traditions. Under Reth, the Highlanders had a juridical personality as a non-profit, non-stock corporation under the name: HIGHLANDERS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC. After a 2-year lull, Reth revived the summer league in 1977. He gave away loyalty T-shirts and appealed to the senses of members. It was a historic revival, fusing the old and the young, that served as a shining lighthouse to Reth's successors. Since 1977, the Highlanders has an unbroken series of annual summer tournaments. Reth dawned a new horizon for the next generation of leaders as he brightly enlightened the entire membership that the Highlanders could be managed under a new perspective. 
ERNESTO "TOTOY" C. CRUZ was the seventh president of the Association. Totoy successfully adopted a conventional approach to organizational issues. He neither embraced tradition nor resorted to bold and daring disposition that could critically prejudice the interest of the Highlanders. As a former ace player of the Highlanders team, very much knowledgeable about tournament rules, Totoy streamlined the administration of the annual summer league. He enforced player discipline, exacted responsible officiating and stimulated sustained team involvement. Totoy was the harbinger of efficient and effective league management techniques. He conscientiously watched every inter-color game to ensure that everything was in place. 
RONALD C. MANALASTAS was the eighth president. As the Associations' secretary in the 1977 historic revival, RONNIE espoused and effected the registration of the Highlanders with Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote the Article of Incorporation and By-Laws of Highlanders. Ronnie was the Golden Jubilee President in 1983, a year of unforgettable and unprecedented community-wide jubilation. He orchestrated a full-blown 50th Anniversary evening celebration at the Highlanders court. Ronnie had the basketball board changed from asbestos to fiberglass, the first and for many years, the only one of its kind in the public courts of Mandaluyong. Ronnie crystalized the meaning of attitude, organization, technique and self-reliance as key success factors. His professional and organized leadership compartmentalized, simplified and checked the magnitude and severity of issued and problems affecting the Highlanders.
The 9th president was ERNESTO "ERNING" F. CRUZ (1984-85). Erning's administration was a time of reaching out, of bringing the "samahan" to the doorsteps of every member. He succeeded in making each member felt that everybody was important, that he was needed, and that without him, the Highlanders would cease to exist. Erning's patriarchal leadership produced an inspired and committed membership. His godfather image created in 1985 a spirited Highlanders Basketball Team. This team impressively defeated in a championship exhibition match the powerhouse selection from Barangay Hulo, which was then captained by PBA star player Paul Alvarez and managed by Nonong Marcos. The same Highlanders ace players whipped an all-star Mandaluyong team in a subsequent encounter. Erning's time was a Highlanders show of might and substance. 
CELSO ARCENAL was the tenth president (1986). Celso was a representation of simple, decisive and straight-to-the-point management style. His philosophy enunciated the absolute exercise of initiative and commitment among members. Celso revolutionized a new thinking that served as an eye opener--an opportunity for the Association to reassess and realign its organizational posture. At the most opportune time, he uprooted evolving signs of self-satisfaction and detachment. He pricked and pepped up the organization to scale new heights. Even before he assumed the presidency, Celso never missed helping every adminstration raise funds to support crucial operational needs. 
The eleventh president was OSCAR "BOY" F. CRUZ (1987). Amist a volatile organizational atmosphere, Boy skillfully steered Highlanders. Boy put in his best effort in a classic show of leadership by example. His personal devotion to the Highlanders was unquestionable. He did most of the legworks and attended to the minute details. Knowing that every Highlanders activity required mass action, Boy never ran out of incentives and perks to people even if it would be a simple gesture of serving them a cup of coffee or a bottle of beer. Boy's dedication earned for him the respect and support of his colleagues. Boy never gave the word "failure" in his adminstration. It was his perception that the Highlanders could always accomplish what it wanted to have by sheer work.
ROLANDO "ROLLY" CONEJOS (1988-89)was the twelfth president . As an active officer and close supporter of Highlanders, Rolly had a good view of how the Association should be run. When he was elected to the top post, Rolly wasted no time. From the first day of his adminstration, he got down to brass tacks and pursued things persistently. Rolly was everywhere. He lightened and deadened the pressure of his position by periodically unwinding with the central officers and key people of the Higlanders in simple cocktail functions. Rolly's accommodating gesture enabled him to offer refreshing insights to the membership. He viewed things positively and reposed confidence in his associates. Rolly responsibly consulted with the directorate, a practice that made everybody aware of new developments.
ANGELITO "ITOY" LACISTE (1990-91)was the thirteenth president and served his office in 1990-1991. Itoy is an action man, who has that needed decisiveness and speed of administration. He prefers to operate under a management style exacting his personal involvement and follow-through. He is not fond of holding the regular meetings just to discuss trivial and repetitive issues, but he would not have a second thought in personally taking the initiative to hold individual discussions to immediately resolve impinging organizational concerns. Itoy likewise belongs to the impatient breed of performers who could venture to produce fast results at the expense of convention and tradition. After all, with his strong people-orientation, Itoy could easily weave through complications and still get the desired outcome. Itoy has given his term's summer league the glamor, excitement and attendance it rightfully deserves. 
RONALD C. MANALASTAS (1992-93) Ronnie was elected for the second time as the 1992-1993 Highlanders president on the mandate to give intense excitement and fulfillment in the celebration of the club’s 60th anniversary. In this 60th foundation gathering, just like the 50th anniversary affair, a huge community event was held at the Highlander’s Court where citation awards to distinguished members and donors topped the festive gathering of old and young members, donors, and stakeholders of Highlanders.
PEDRO “Peter” AGBAY (1994-95) Peter was an organizational champion. He never wavered to promote the interest of Highlanders as he labored far beyond the expectations of the organization and the community it serves. Peter’s brand of diplomacy endeared him closely to the entire membership. His uncommon generosity, commitment, and industry helped him install an indelible mark of extraordinary leadership that became the foundation of his superior administrative and financial management capacity. Peter is an icon --- both of leadership and governance. 
ANTONIO L. RUIZ (1996-97) With Tony’s winning human relations skills, he had infused new life and vibrancy in the organization. Line officers and advisers alike had become very excited to attend club meetings and other activities because of the camaraderie, fun and warmth that was the central theme of each event under Tony’s leadership. As a community of people with infectious love for good food, Tony’s generosity and culinary genius had produced well-attended meetings that had enormously helped him manage with organization-wide involvement. In essence, Tony had solidified the organization and intensified group dynamics with his no-nonsense “reach-all-sector” style of management. 
JEFFREY C. CONEJOS (1998-99) Jeffrey represents a “young turk” with a big heart and broad mental latitude to lead a big organization such as Highlanders. Having been immersed in the “ins and outs” of Highlanders through his close association with its key officers, and with his meaningful organizational experience as a former SK Chairman and President of Gomezian Club, it was not difficult for Jeffrey to learn and appreciate what it takes to lead and manage Highlanders even at a young age. Jeffrey’s term was likewise characterized by an intense social revival and a pulsating organizational life as he succeeded in getting the unconditional support of senior members and officers of the Club. 
RICO C. MANALASTAS (2000-01) At the very inception of Rico’s term, he espoused for the transformation of Highlanders from a sports-focused club into a community-driven organization that should maximize the club’s available human capital. Rico reinforced the need for the organization to reach out to people and touch lives based on more realistic and relevant initiatives that promote learning and livelihood. In a nutshell, Rico wanted Highlanders to sport a highly external orientation, a community-centric organization that delivers value from its inner strength of capable and committed membership. During his term, Rico revived Highlights, the official newsletter of the Highlanders. 
ROLANDO "BUTCH" C. CONEJOS, JR. (2002-03) In his term, Butch managed the organization by effectively using his private sector management experience such that he was able to administer the scarce internal resources of the organization. Amidst his demanding workplace responsibilities, he had efficiently managed the affairs of Highlanders through delegation and empowerment, a disposition that delivered results and enabled line officers to learn immensely from the conduct of their respective functions. Butch had succeeded in attracting many non-traditional donors to the Highlanders, an expansion of stakeholder community that contributed to the financial health of Highlanders during his term. 
JORDAN "JOJIE" V. CRUZ (2004-2005) Jojie’s presidential accomplishment could best be remembered by his being able to impressively attract US-based Highlanders stakeholders to generously support and donate to the Club’s financial needs. Jojie demonstrated the ability to creatively tap the Highlander’s US network through his father, Erning Cruz, who was a former president of the club. In this performance milestone, Jojie showed an extraordinary exercise of resourcefulness that enabled him to realize an end-of-term financial surplus. Jojie’s term was an “era of liberality” that contributed in inducing incisive discussions, as well arguments, about Highlanders --- a “say what you want” open and sharing atmosphere that allowed conflicts and new ideas to surface and revitalize Highlanders. 
JOSE "JOE" C. CRUZ (2006-07) Joe is the current president of Highlanders. An executive from a leading multinational company and a certified public accountant by profession, Joe’s initial governance manifestations, demonstrate a highly professional management approach that indicates an exciting period of new learning and enlightenment for the Highlanders. Joe exudes a deep sense of organization and systematic style of administration as he initiated moves to chronicle, document and present, via a video presentation, the colorful Highlanders history. He has also commissioned for the revival and reconstruction of the historic Highlanders flag that was first conceived and made available over a long period of utilization by his father, Yoyong Cruz, who was one of the early presidents of Highlanders.
