The White Apos: American Governors on the Cordillera Central

Dr. Frank L. Jenista was born in California but came to the Philippines when he was only four years old. The son of missionary parents, he spent most of his primary and secondary years in the Philippines and first visited the Cordillera when only nine years of age. During high school he attended Brent School in Baguio City. 

In the United Stated Dr. Jenista attended Cedarville College (B.A.), the University of Dayton (M.A.) and obtained his Ph.D. From the University of Michigan in the field of Philippine History.

Dr. Jenista has previously published scholarly articles in professional journals such as the Philippine Historical Review and Southeast Asian Quarterly and was a contributor to the book Compadre Colonism, published in Manila by La Solidardidad.

While conducting research for this book (1971-1974), Dr. Jenista also served as director of the Asian Studies Program and chairman of the Social Science Department at Brent School.

In 1975 he joined the United States Foreign Service, with assignments in Japan, Indonesia and New Zealand. He returned "home" in 1982, as director of the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center in Manila.