Guingona also dedicated much of his time in school to wrestling as well as football, track and swimming. Guingona attended Skyline College for two years where he continued wrestling before attending the University of California at Los Angeles where he earned a B.A. in History.
Nang sumunod na taon, nakuha ni Ricarte ang kanyang titulo na Maestro de Instruccion Primaria (Teacher of Primary Instruction) at agad na pinadala sa kanilang bayan sa San Francisco de Malabon sa Cavite. Sa anim na taon ng kanyang pagtuturo, siya ay pinuri at hinangaan ng lokal na otoridad at maging ng mga opisyal. Pakikipaglaban