biography of famous person in the philippines

Famous Filipinos: Past and Present

The Philippines is home to many wonderful beaches, thriving cities and beautiful sights. But, when all is said and done, it’s the people that have made the Philippines what it is today.

From revolutionary leaders to world renown sportspeople, from cultural pioneers to famous singers, the Philippines has its fair share of brilliant and remarkable individuals whose names will go down in history. Famous Filipino actors, singers and authors have made great contributions to world culture that are worth highlighting.

Let’s take a look at some people in the Philippines who have excelled in their field, achieved worldwide recognition and shaped the history of the country, including:

Gabriela Silang

Josefa Llanes Escoda

Manny Pacquiao

Lea Salonga-Chien

Tandang Sora

Below we’ll be looking at:

Famous Filipinos

• How to send money to the Philippines

José Rizal is considered by most of the country to be the national hero of the Philippines. Born in 1861 and living only 35 years before he was executed by the Spanish colonial government, José Rizal gained recognition as a staunch Filipino nationalist who used his skills as a writer and polymath to advocate for the rights of Filipinos under Spanish rule.

He was a martyr of the Philippine Revolution and is celebrated every year in the Philippines on a national holiday called Rizal Day. He wrote two well-regarded novels Noli me Tángere and El fililbusterismo. The two novels together form a national epic chronicling life in the Philippines at the time. Today there is no greater figure in Filipino history than José Rizal.

Reaching even further back into history, we find María Josefa Gabriela Cariño de Silang. The Filipino military leader, commonly known as Gabriela Silang, is one of the most famous Filipinos of the past because of the role she played as leader of the Ilocano independence movement from Spain.

After her second husband's assassination in 1763 Gabriela Silang took over his role as a leader of the revolutionary. She led her people for four months before she was captured and executed for her beliefs and actions. Similar to José Rizal, her life was cut too short because she championed Illocandia culture and rights and refused to submit to Spanish rule. Today she is remembered as an iconic revolutionary figure and is often referred to as the Joan of Arc of Ilocandia.

Born in 1898, Josefa Madamba Llanes Escoda was a Filipino civic leader that gained fame and recognition for her work campaigning for women’s suffrage. She is also known as the founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and as a World War II heroine who bravely helped the country resist Japanese invaders.

Her rich and varied life was dedicated to public service and to helping those in need around her. She was a beacon of hope for many Filipinos at the time. Today she is commemorated on the Philippines 1,000-Peso banknote and remains one of the most famous Filipinos of the twentieth century.

Most people alive today will have heard of Manny Pacquiao. Nicknamed “PacMan”, the boy from Kibawe, who lived on the streets of Manila as a teenager, is today regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers in the history of the sport. Over his sporting career he won twelve major world titles across a range of weight classes.

After his stellar boxing career Pacquio entered politics and served as Senator of the Philippines from 2016 until June of 2022. Today he is probably the most famous living Filipino and is seen around the world as a boxing icon comparable with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali.

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, known professionally as Lea Salonga, is a famous Filipina singer and actress. Rising to fame at the age of 18 for originating the lead role of Kim in the West End musical Miss Saigon, she has since gone on to become the most famous singer in the Philippines. She was the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label. In the following years she continued to develop her reputation around the world through her work in musicals and films.

Western audiences will probably recognise her as the singing voice of two iconic Disney Princesses - Mulan and Jasmine. She was the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award and won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical when she was only 18. To date, she has performed for six Philippine Presidents and remains an icon of stage and screen around the world.

Melchora Aquino de Ramo, affectionately known as Tandang Sora, earned the title of ‘Mother of Revolution’ because of the role she played to protect revolutionaries fighting against Spanish rule. She also earned this name because of her age at the time of the revolution. She was born in 1812 and ended up living until she was 107, only passing away in 1919.

During her life she saw many waves of change sweep across the Philippines. Today she is one of the most significant figures in Filipino history and was the first Filipina to appear on a Philippine peso banknote.

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These famous Filipinos have achieved international recognition and many great things through hard work and perseverance. Whether they have pursued a life on the stage or in the political chambers their unique abilities have made them famous across the Philippines. Their names will continue to ring throughout the future of the Philippines even as many more celebrated and talented Filipinos emerge.

If you have family or friends back home in the Philippines that you need to send money to then you can count on Small World for help. You can send money to the Philippines with Small World via Bank Deposit, Airtime top-up, Mobile Wallet, Home Delivery, Cash Card Reload and Cash Pickup. All methods are simple and secure and ensure that your money get’s where it needs to be as soon as possible. So if you need to support your loved ones in the Philippines you can rely on Small World.

Your first transfer online is always free of fees!

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5 inspiring stories of Filipinos who followed their passion despite adversity

August 14, 2018 AT 11:22 AM

Life often throws us curve balls, but these inspiring Filipinos – a hairstylist, rapper, scientist, artist, and teacher— prove that there is hope amid adversity and that the human spirit can triumph despite conflicts and stuggles . Watch their stories and more on the ABS-CBN DocuCentral documentary series “Mukha,” which airs every Wednesday at 6:30 pm on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Life often throws us curve balls, but these inspiring Filipinos – a hairstylist, rapper, scientist, artist, and teacher— prove that there is hope amid adversity and that the human spirit can triumph despite conflicts and stuggles . Watch their stories and more on the ABS-CBN DocuCentral documentary series “Mukha,” which airs every Wednesday at 6:30 pm on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel.

• The father who found his passion in hairstyling

Jiro Kinoyama never knew his Japanese father, and his mother worked abroad his whole life. He lived with relatives until they couldn’t afford to shelter him, and learned to depend only on himself by taking on various blue-collar jobs. He stumbled upon hairstyling by chance, thanks to a random opportunity to learn the tools of the trade. He gradually realized this was what he loved doing. Now a father of two, Jiro hopes to support his family and excel further in his newfound passion. Watch his story this Wednesday (August 15) at 6:30 pm.

• The gangster turned rapper and advocate

Factions, riots, gang wars were part of daily life for Shielbert Manuel or “OG Sacred” until the former gang leader from Tondo, Manila, discovered rap music. Shielbert discovered he could use the medium to change the culture of gangs and change the narrative of his hometown. He now passionately promotes Tondo as a safe place with a wealth of culture and stories, and leads former gang-rivals and members in being advocates for the environment, better living conditions, and keeping Tondo safe for the new generation of youths.

• The man who found the balance between art and science

Engineer Julius Sempio is one of the scientists responsible for archiving and interpreting images from Diwata-1, the Philippines’ first satellite. However, his heart hasn’t always been in science—his first love was comics, despite going to the prestigious Philippine Science High School and pursuing engineering at the University of the Philippines.  Along the way, he finally found a way to balance art and science, and now gets to pursue both fields, while giving back to the country he vows to never leave.

• The stained-glass artist

Nelben Salvado never had high hopes for himself, despite his father urging him to dream big. However, what he lacked in ambition, he made up for in hard work. After becoming a family man at a young age, Nelben followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the glass-cutting trade, where he strived to learn the skill and eventually excelled on it. Despite his internal battles and hardships, like his wife abandoning him and their children, and his father suffering from stroke, he continues to be devoted in his craft with the unwavering belief that someday, the fruits of his labor will be within his reach.

• The woman who proved “there is life after blindness”

Jo Olorocisimo had a promising career as a writer for a media company until she learned she had glaucoma, and would one day lose her vision completely. However, she refused to sit back and become a victim to circumstance. She found a way to continue to work, thanks to technology, and became a beacon of hope to people with similar seeing impairments. Jo may have lost her vision, but found a heart for others, as she now works to educate the visually-impaired in the hopes of someday making the workplace welcoming to people despite their disabilities.

Don’t miss the riveting tales of struggle and triumph of the human spirit behind the different faces of the Filipino on “Mukha,” which has won numerous awards locally and internationally including a gold medal at the New York Festival for its Marawi Siege episode “Di Ka Pasisiil.”

Watch “Mukha” every Wednesday 6:30 pm on ANC and ANC HD with replays on Mondays, 4:30 pm; Tuesdays, 4 am; Wednesdays, 10:30 pm; Thursdays, 1:30 am & 2:30 pm; Friday, 1:30 pm; Saturdays, 5 am; Sundays, 5:30 am & 5:30 pm; and on DZMM: Fridays, 2 pm; and Saturdays, 1 am. Watch online on iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com.ph. For updates on the series, follow @ANCalerts on Facebook or Twitter or the program’s official account @MukhaTV on Facebook and Twitter. For more updates follow @abscbnpr on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or visit  www.abscbnpr.com .

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15 influential filipinos who will inspire you to keep pursuing your passions.

These past few years have been full of struggles and hardships, so we’re incredibly blessed to have met and surrounded ourselves with people along the way who continuously inspire us to keep going and strive to reach our goals and pursue our passions. If you’re in need of some motivation today (or any day, really), here are 15 Filipinos who have shared their amazing stories with us. We hope they inspire you, as well.

Karen Bordador (@karen_bordador)

Photo from Karen Bordador

We still remember when the news of Karen Bordador’s unjust imprisonment circulated in 2016. Imagine having to spend almost five years in prison for something you didn’t do, getting ridiculed and judged by people, and being considered a criminal when you are actually a good citizen. Karen lost her livelihood and was taken away from her home, literally put in jail with all of the hardships attached to it.

Despite being in the dark for years, though, Karen shares that she thrived and freed her mind. “I was determined to grow in all aspects while waiting to get a miracle home,” she shares. “I read more than 300 books, became a leader inside, and created a library and many entertaining events. I learned about the harsh reality of life in the Philippines and I wanted to go home to let everyone know about my experiences inside.”

Five years is no joke and could easily break anyone’s spirit, but Karen’s dreams kept her going. She also knew that God wouldn’t give her a strong desire to achieve things if He was just going to keep her locked up. “I was determined to believe I had a strong purpose to weather the long storm and overcome it,” she states. “My fantasies of being successful and fulfilling my seemingly ridiculous dreams were glaring at me daily. It kept me motivated. I even worked out every day to get myself physically ready for when it was time to go home.”

Karen strongly believes that hardships happen because great things simply do not come easily. “We’re meant to go through intense fires to become pure enough to be golden,” she says. “If you’re exhausted now and are wondering if God is even listening, know that He’s always there and He wants you to keep pushing. Everything you are imagining can happen! Even if your circumstances now are destroying your vision, move forward blindly. Keep telling yourself it’s possible because it is. You have to push yourself to the limits until you are worthy of all your dreams to come true. Trust the pain, the hardships, and the process. All of it happens so you can become strong enough to handle the success. Stay faithful. You will get there!”

After those five years in jail, Karen has regained her rightful freedom and has returned to the entertainment industry. She entered PBB Celebrity Edition, had her own special tw0-part episode on MMK, got her first billboard on EDSA, got two magazine covers, and now has her own TV TALK show on PIE Channel called PIE NIGHT LONG. She is also a vlogger on YouTube with a Silver Button – all in just one year. She reiterates, “It is all possible when you believe and trust in God.”

Jaro Cab, 31 (@jarocab)

Photo from Jaro Cab

Jaro Cab has been active in the nightlife business since 2014, taking on the marketing side, competing at local and international beer pong tournaments, and opening his own bars. Once the pandemic happened, though, the bar scene changed and life took an unexpected turn. Despite these changes in the nightlife scene; Jaro kept going, constantly re-aligning his vision and learning new skills in preparation for the new normal. During this time, he also became a father to Zaffy with his partner Emcy Grey, who is also a DJ. “She’s been my inspiration in everything that I do ever since I laid eyes on her,” he gushes.

Come 2021, Jaro opened The CAB in BF Homes together with Emcy Grey, a bar that now has a branch in Salem and will soon have another branch in Alabang. That aside, he also learned to DJ and is now a resident DJ at The CAB, Dynasty Real, and Cisos Gastropub. Apart from finding the right inspiration, Jaro shares more vital tips for success: “Find time and give time when it comes to pursuing what you want to do in your life, and be really passionate about it. Another one of the most important things in life is that you enjoy what you do for a living. Also, find a circle that will build you up – a circle that has the same goals and philosophies as you. Friends and acquaintances are there in good times, but you should have your main people close to you – those who will be there for you at all times – good or bad.” Amen!

Lee Caces, 31 (@leecaces)

Photo from Lee Caces

Lee Caces is an amazing artist whose work you have most likely seen at locations and events all around the Philippines. His signature strokes and colors have been featured by brands like Johnnie Walker, Dove, and Shake Shack, to name a few. He is also one of the chosen 19 artists for Pinto Art Museum in 2023.

While some people strongly believe that talent for art is something you are born with, Lee has learned a lot through the years to help hone his skills. In college, Lee worked as a part-time freelance photographer, where he learned about the importance of light, exposure, tone, and composition. He then slowly transitioned into graphic design and illustration because he liked the idea of drawing and experimenting with colors, lines, and shapes. This is also when he started focusing on discovering his unique art style. “I also had a lot of experiences in the visual arts industry, which greatly helped me apply everything to my current projects,” he adds. “I am inspired to create more murals, design, and focus even more on my personal art.”

Lee has always been curious about how things actually exist or work, in general, which is what pulled him into abstract art. He then continuously experimented with different mediums, forms, and sizes. “In all of such experimentations, I think I like the combination of both commercial work and art best,” he says. “It’s so interesting that these two are different from one another, but can definitely co-exist.” In whatever he does, though, Lee’s art never fails to strike a chord in the hearts of those who see it.

As for his secret? “If it’s fun for you, then continue to play. Just keep creating and continue to share your work. Do what makes you feel good or whatever makes you feel right. People will resonate with your work and will eventually support you in whatever you pursue. For those who do: remember them and be grateful.”

Janeena Chan, 29 (@janeenachan)

Photo from Janeena Chan

Janeena Chan is one woman who is seemingly everywhere . Aside from hosting all sorts of events, she is also a lifestyle content creator, a podcaster, a model, and an online columnist on OneMega – whew! Just listing down the things that she does is enough to tire us out… so how does she do it?

Janeena shares that she has actually always been an active “bibo kid” growing up. “I think it’s really a part of my personality and character, in general, to have many interests,” she shares. Janeena believes that energy begets energy; and even after recovering from Bell’s Palsy a few years back, she still keeps on going – a true queen worth looking up to! “As much as I value real rest, I now know the real meaning of really living life intentionally and unapologetically as you are… celebrating every now that we have, and not being a prisoner of limiting beliefs. Every new day is a gift to be cherished,” she shares with a smile.

She also points out the importance of having a “want to” and “get to” mindset over a “have to” one. “When you think of everything as an opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy; everything becomes more fun and exciting! And I definitely enjoy playing,” she says.

On top of that, Janeena perfectly points out that success is different for everyone. She reminds us, “Stop being pressured by external notions of what success should look like in the eyes of others. You only have to listen to your inner voice. Set it free, let it play, and you’ll be surprised by how much more direction, growth, and meaning you can invite in your life.” She also adds, “Never discredit your work. Mastery requires mistakes, detours, and learning curves! Enjoy the process, and learn to be happy as you grow, not only when you’ve reached your goals. And life isn’t always about achieving. It’s meant to be lived.”

Jason   Cruz , 34 (@jsncruz)

Photo from Jason Cruz

Jason Cruz started out as a writer on how brands and businesses “should” be using social media channels to communicate better with customers and as a social media manager for a creative agency. He eventually grew into specialist roles in digital strategy, business and communications strategies, business development, and content strategy. Today, he hosts workshops where he helps others build their skill sets in areas he specializes in.

Learning and self-development are generally very important to Jason. In fact, he assesses his skill set every year to see if he has what his industry needs. “As long as a field of study is interesting for me (within marketing, advertising, branding, strategy, and communications), I try my best to pursue it as deeply as I possibly can,” he shares. “For example, digital marketing was never going away so I did my best to learn as many sub-topics as possible, as well as put learned theory into practice through my work with brands and businesses.”

Jason is also a firm believer in going deep when it comes to professional pursuits (i.e. aiming for expertise) and going wide when it comes to personal pursuits (i.e. experiences). In addition, it’s also important for him to give back, which is why he gives some of his time to organizations, entrepreneurs, and local businesses and shares his experiences with them.

Jason also believes in the importance of creating a distinction between what you love and what makes you money. “Too many people pursue their passions, goals, and dreams with no real plans on how to fund or finance these,” he explains. “For a lucky few, their passions check both boxes but for many (or even most) of us – we’ll be happier if we draw that line. For example, I’m passionate about teaching, but my day job is with a multinational that gives me enough bandwidth (i.e. time and financial security). That means I can teach without worrying about supporting my family and my lifestyle and it would never feel like work or an obligation.”

Prince De Guzman, 26 (@theprincedeguzman)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Prince De Guzman (@theprincedeguzman)

If you’re big on pop culture and geekery, there is no doubt you’ve seen Prince De Guzman somewhere before. He has been the highlight of many pop culture events thanks to his mindblowing cosplays. Constantly wowing people with his creations and portrayals, and even scaring people to death now and then (myself included lol), Prince is a Filipino cosplayer who truly stands out and puts his heart and soul into his portrayals.

Prince actually started cosplaying because of his love for acting, practical effects makeup, and horror. Because of this love, he started cosplaying horror movie characters like Pennywise, Michael Myers, and Valak until it opened new doors for him as a content creator for pop culture, games, and movies. “Right now, I incorporate my cosplays while playing my favorite games or reacting to my favorite movies in my vlogs,” he shares. “I love it when people say that they check my cosplays and content for the latest pop culture updates.

What you might not know is that Prince was actually a host and a part-time model before he started creating content. However, he had always hoped to turn his passion into a career and now, he finally has a job that he genuinely enjoys doing. “I am inspired to create my content because I am basically doing what I want and what I love.”

If you’re hoping to do the same, Prince points out that you shouldn’t be harsh on yourself, especially when it comes to getting views or followers on social media. He reminds us, “It is not the definition of success all the time. You already have what you need: a dream. Now, rely on your talent to get you to the top and be very disciplined to improve what your talent can offer every day.”

Lyka De Luna, 25 (@lykaalykees)

Photo from Lyka De Luna

Lyka De Luna has been an inspiration from the get-go. Even when she was just a student, Lyka was already hosting, modeling, and acting in short films. During the summer, she would also work as a Student Assistant at her University to earn extra money. “I always push myself to make my own money and save,” she shares.

A mere week after her college graduation, Lyka started working as a Project Manager in a marketing consultancy company, where she got exposed to production shoots and events. (Keep in mind that she was a fresh grad!) Not long after that, she took on a Copywriting position at a different organization and eventually found herself leaning toward Account Management in an ad agency where she stayed for almost two years.

In September 2020, Lyka took things up a notch and started her own 360 marketing agency, CleverCatch Inc., along with co-founder Neil Tacderas. They basically do everything related to advertising and marketing – video production, events, PR campaigns, social media, digital, etc. So far, they have already worked with big brands like SM, Fujifilm, BPI, TikTok, Pfizer, Medicard, and BonChon.

However, when they were starting during the height of the pandemic; they did small projects acquisitions, and actual work like super lowball product shoots, key visual development, and campaign ideation. Without a steady source of income at the time, Lyka found herself wondering whether she was just wasting her time. “Sometimes when I enter our office in the morning or when I leave at night, I get flashbacks of when I got our first signed deal,” she admits. “I was literally crying, jumping, and screaming all at the same time, inside the mall… with lots of people staring at me, clueless that another soul’s dreams and prayers are finally coming true.”

This year, CleverCatch was able to get their own office space with a conference room big enough to set up a mini studio, a cute pantry area, a storage room, a production area, and two separate offices for her and Neil. “We try our best to make it a happy place not only for work but most especially for friendships,” Lyka adds. As for any tips, she has three: “Number one, your struggles are indicators that you’ve already started your journey. So congratulations! Number two, follow your own timeline. Don’t get pressured by what other people are saying and always remember that results happen over time, not overnight. Number three: Stay persistent and always give your 120 percent.”

Anne Janelle Ngo Francisco, 27 (@helloajfran)

Photo from AJ Francisco

For AJ Francisco of Twenty Four Bakeshop, baking was just a hobby back in college. With a love for baking TV shows and with any equipment that they had, she would share her baked goods with her friends at school who encouraged her to make a business out of it – and so she did. AJ borrowed 2,000 pesos from her mom and started an online business called Tiny Bakeshop, catering to DLSU students who would do meet-ups on campus. After a few years, AJ had enough funds to rent out a bazaar space at school for four days. While she admits she didn’t really expect much, her products sold out every single day.

While her business took a pause once she joined the corporate world, AJ felt it was time for a comeback in 2019. With more knowledge of marketing, branding, and operations; AJ rebranded to Twenty Four Bakeshop with the core concept of providing freshly-baked cookies on the spot. That’s right. They bake their cookies fresh in front of your eyes. Her first testing ground? Her alma mater. The word about these fresh cookies spread like wildfire across campus and in four days, they baked and sold 1,262 cookies.

Seeing how well the concept worked, AJ decided to start a full-on business and in September 2019, Twenty Four Bakeshop opened its first store in One Bonifacio High Street Mall. By March 2020, they opened a second store in Estancia Mall, and by June 2020, their third store opened in the Podium. To date, they have a variety of fresh pastries: cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, and brioche doughnuts. “My hobby came back at the right time,” AJ gushes. “It’s like it chose me, and I’m just really fortunate to have my passion as my profession.”

Other than that, AJ is really happy to help other bakers find their way – from sharing the differences in brands, ingredients, costs, and equipment to where to get them. “I remember my younger self having a hard time with sources like this and I want to fill in the gap for other aspiring bakers,” she explains. AJ also believes in doing what you love. “If you love what you’re doing, just keep on doing it,” she says. “May it be big or small, just keep on going. Don’t think about the revenue too much. The money will just follow if you put your heart into what you’re doing.”

Janine Khazaie, 32 (@misis.khazaie)

Photo from Janine Khazaie

Janine Khazaie is a true hustler and we love her for it! Even when she had a corporate job, she was still hustling on the side (RTW clothing, skincare, etc.). In 2018, she ventured into home service massages through MassageMNL and now, it is the top specialized home service  massage in the Philippines. “I really didn’t expect it to grow as big as it is today,” Janine admits. “I’m very happy to always hear so many good comments, especially from moms whom MassageMNL helped during and after their pregnancies and even until when their baby can get our baby massage .”

MassageMNL isn’t just for moms, either. They offer massages for everyone that aim to soothe, relax, and relieve stress. They offer a wide array of techniques suitable for any family member and various medical conditions. Best of all, their high-quality premium wellness treatments are all safe, affordable, and accessible.

Still, Janine admits that being an entrepreneur is hard and comes with many obstacles along the way. She also gives us a reality check: “If you are thinking of giving up your 9 to 5 so you can have more time and freedom, believe me when I say that is not true. If you are really serious and committed to growing a successful business, you need to spend 10000% of your time planning, developing, executing, etc. You need to wear different hats when you are starting but no matter what, if you believe in what you are working on and really see the potential, do it even if it’s just you who sees it because no one believes you yet. Remember: you are doing this for yourself. Eventually, everyone will see your hard work, passion, and the support you deserve will soon follow. Have faith and trust the process.”

Maine   Manalansan -Veneracion, 29 (@millimetrs7

Photo from Maine Manalansan-Veneracion

Maine Manalansan-Veneracion is one of our inspirations in creativity and advocacies. Her creative journey actually started when she was just 17 years old. As a teenager, she started an online magazine with her Tumblr friends called Stache, which was for and by the creative youth. “Being part of a super creative online environment inspired me to actually pursue my dreams of becoming an editor by making my own magazine,” she shares.

From there, Maine discovered her love for publishing and empowering the youth to speak up and pursue their passions. Immediately after college (and after folding the magazine), Maine joined Young STAR, the youth section of The Philippine STAR, as their editorial assistant. “That was where I developed my voice and visual style more, eventually earning the position of creative director and then becoming the editor,” she says.

Maine was also the editor for youngstar.ph, the online counterpart of the newspaper section. She expounds, “Through the website, I was able to play around with different digital formats like video and animation, plus get a more direct line of communication with our audience. Our goal for Young STAR was really to reflect and amplify what the youth stands for — whether it be about pop culture, politics, or just their lifestyle in general. I think this is where my passion for youth and creative empowerment really solidified. I try to make each project that I do more purposeful by centering it on this one advocacy.”

After Young STAR, Maine dabbled in a lot of online productions during the pandemic. She was the Editor for Globe Poppin’ for a while and was also part of the production team for Jericho Rosales’ four-week late-night show called Gabi Na Naman . She eventually found her way back to the youth platform by joining an ed tech company as their full-time creative lead and now branded content strategist. Now, on the side, Maine continues to inspire through her podcast Saktong Friendship Lang with Marga Buenaventura, where they talk about friendship and navigating the creative industry. She is also working on a side project for the creative youth once again plus some freelance branding and UI/UX work under Studio Millimetrs.

Maine knows how hard it can be to take that first step towards our goals because of pressure and a lack of confidence in ourselves. However, she believes that you should just do it and people will come to help. “We’re all part of a community — school, work, your childhood barkada from way way back, etc. — and chances are, there are people there who might be working towards the same goal or are willing to help you reach yours,” she says. “Share your dreams and trust that the universe (and your community) will conspire to make it work.”

Hershey Neri (@heyhershey)

Photo from Hershey Neri

Hershey Neri had always secretly wished to become an actor but that’s all it was once upon a time: a dream. “It was something I only daydreamed about in my shower room before I got ready for work,” she shares. And now, here she is, a full-time actor. Her wish has come true!

Hershey used to work as a writer until she resigned from her corporate job in 2019 to start a coworking space. In 2020, however, she and her business partner had to give up their business because managing a coworking space just wasn’t practical at the time. Things took a turn when Hershey received a random message in mid-2020, asking her to audition for a comedy game show called Fill in the Bank . “I was so surprised because I had no idea how the show’s production company knew about me,” she shares. “I’ve also never been to a legit audition before.” After reading a couple of scripts over Zoom, Hershey booked the job, eventually learning that Ms. Reeza Belo had discovered her through a viral video Hershey did back in 2018.

In 2021, the same producers of the game show created a comedy series called Boyfriend No. 13, and the producer, Ms. Kaye Cadsawan, handpicked Hershey to star in it. “She believed in me, even though I never acted professionally before,” Hershey says. She was then introduced to Yan Yuzon, an acting coach, and did workshops before their lock-in taping. That’s when Hershey truly fell in love with acting and the rest is history.

She shares, “I realized that the more you stay in a certain field, the more you realize that you don’t know everything—and the more you want to learn and do better. That’s what I feel about acting—I’m in love with it, and I’m continuously trying to absorb lessons and pieces of wisdom from mentors, colleagues, and other artistic people.”

While working as a full-time actor, Hershey is also currently taking her master’s in Counseling Psychology because of her passion for making mental health accessible to the masses. This comes after she was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend in broad daylight back in 2015. “Those were the darkest years of my life,” she recalls, “and I thought that the whole experience would taint my life forever.” Through therapy, however, Hershey found healing, and she is now in a much better place.

“My Big Dream is to one day be able to merge the worlds of Healing and Humor, Mental Health and Entertainment—because I truly believe that Art can Heal. This is my Why in life,” Hershey adds, urging everyone to find their own Why. “When things get rough and when everything else gets noisy, your Why will be your North Star.

What’s meant for you will come to you, and everything happens for a reason. As Steve Jobs said, ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.’ I really do believe that some things will only make sense in retrospect. So you just gotta trust that what’s meant for you will come.”

Avin   Ong, 29 (@ongavin)

Photo from Avin Ong

You’ve definitely dined or ordered from one of the brands of Fredley Group of Companies (FGC) by now. Macao Imperial Tea, Mitasu Yakiniku, and Nabe are just some of the brands under the company (with around 260 outlets and 3,000 employees nationwide now!) and the man behind it is 29-year-old Avin Ong. FGC was founded eight years ago and was named after his parents, Alfred and Shirley, as a way to honor them. What started as a Japanese restaurant eventually expanded by bidding for franchises. “Thankfully, we have been receiving overwhelming support from our partners and patrons, and this led us to greatly expand in just 5 years—firstly with Macao Imperial Tea’s 234 branches,” Avin shares.

It turns out that Avin’s inspiration was first and foremost his love and passion for food. As a certified foodie who always enjoys trying different cuisines and eating, in general, this venture makes complete sense for him. However, Avin also has a strong drive for business. In fact, when he was just seven years old, he would sell fruit shakes in one of Caloocan’s wet markets. While he may not have exactly earned a lot of money doing that, he says that it definitely ignited his interest in the food business. Today, he is proud to say that his business has become more than a love for food and business. He loves that he is able to use his business to help more people become business owners and somehow inspire the betterment of our country.

Avin admits that he initially thought it would be easy to enter the food business but it turned out to be much more challenging than he expected. He points out that it’s okay to be scared, though. He says, “Along the way, you will most definitely encounter challenges, and that is okay. Just keep going, stay focused, and don’t give up on your goals. I think you just really have to go for it. The first step is the most difficult, but as long as you have a vision and take it one step at a time, the next thing you’ll know is that you’ve already made it a long way.”

Rhiza Pascua (@itsarpee)

Photo from Rhiza Pascua

Live Nation needs no introduction. It’s the biggest promoter in the world, handling the concerts and events of the biggest acts in the world. However, Live Nation Philippines’ journey is less known. Before being acquired by Live Nation, they were MMI Live, and that started with Rhiza Pascua in the smallest way you can imagine. Rhiza started MMI a little more than 26 years ago. Rhiza’s family had migrated to the United States when she was in high school and while working and hustling after college, she started organizing events in LA. Then, she started bringing in Filipino acts, singers, and bands to other states. “That’s what I knew,” she explains. “That was my community, and of course it kept me attached to my original home.”

As the business started to grow as MMI, Rhiza also learned the ropes of producing and promoting. One day, it hit her… why not try it the other way around? Take American acts to Manila. She started with the smallest and older acts. By now, we are all familiar with MMI Live and the big artists that they have brought to the Philippines to put smiles on our faces. We’ve seen Bruno Mars, Madonna, One Direction, U2, Coldplay, Harry Styles, Blackpink, Seventeen, The Chainsmokers, and more all thanks to MMI Live.

Last year, however, things took a different turn when Live Nation acquired 51 percent of MMI Live. Now Live Nation Philippines, we can look forward to even bigger and better acts – and we are just as excited as we imagine Rhiza is. Since November, Live Nation PH has already promoted Louis Tomlinson, Billie Eilish, and JoKoy. Some of the upcoming acts scheduled to perform in Manila courtesy of Live Nation PH are Seventeen, Maroon 5, Keshi, beabadoobee, and Kinn Porsche. Even more acts are scheduled to be announced for next year. It’s simply amazing how the story keeps going!

Rhiza never stopped believing in herself and what she does, and she advises doing the same. She says, “Always believe in what you do, big or small; but at the same time, be open to surprises. You never know where God will lead you, and what opportunities will come. Whatever or wherever you are; if you believe it’s worth your time, strive for perfection, and make sure that you continue to hone your craft. There will always be someone who will notice and admire all your efforts and will want to work with you because of it.”

Cat Triviño (@sinosicat)

Photo from Cat Triviño

When it comes to advocacies, Cat Triviño is practically a legend. A mental health advocate and environmentalist, Cat co-founded and leads communications and content for premiere mental health and well-being organization MindNation (a Filipino-founded business that now operates globally). She is also the Branding and Partnerships Director for environmental and human welfare non-profit, CORA Philippines.

Cat’s advocacy journey started seven years ago when she volunteered for CORA, founded by UN Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus. At the time, she was leading Digital Engagement and Brand Love marketing for a fast-food brand and had been in corporate for nearly 10 years. During her free time, she would scuba dive in Batangas where she was exposed to the destruction of our beautiful reefs from marine debris. “I simply wanted to know how I could help,” she shares. “Conservation work seemed like a gargantuan task and something I thought I was highly unqualified to do.”

When Cat went through some personal challenges and struggled with mental health issues, she felt the need to heal quickly and immediately sought help. “I had learned the hard way about the many things that were wrong if not missing about the mental healthcare system in the country – from the accessibility to affordability, and even the openness for it to be discussed over professional environments,” she shares. “I had enough resources – I had thought about how much harder this situation could be or how hopeless others would be in a situation similar to mine. I had lost a dear friend to suicide before and I had started to piece things together on how it could feel so hopeless to have no place to turn.”

Her psychologist suggested focusing on things that helped her rebuild purpose and Cat thought about the peace she finds in the water and how much she wanted to protect it. She opens up, “Together with therapy, being in nature, learning more and more about it, and being in a community that works together to conserve our planet made me feel fulfilled and gave me so much reason to move forward. I had realized that these two advocacies – to bring more mental health access for all and to help save our oceans – are not separate advocacies but interconnected and the mission of protecting them protects and heals me as well.” Cat used her marketing and PR skills to be that voice that this mission needs, and she continues to inspire others to do the same every single day.

Cat knows how hard it is to feel hopeless and how this makes people feel. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, she would like to remind you to “hold space for it, feel its pain and sadness, but don’t sit there too long. It’s up to us to get back up, take what we can from these difficult experiences, and make something beautiful and meaningful out of what we’ve been given.”

Gwen Zamora-Semerad, 32 (@gwenzamora)

Photo by Nice Print

Gwen Zamora-Semerad is well-known in the Philippines for being an actress but she is now busy with so many things, we keep asking ourselves how she does it. What really contributes to her brainpower, she shares, is her son Cooper. “He is one bright, little, wise child and I have to get super creative in how I speak and raise him. However, his energy actually relaxes me compared to all the brainwork and labor that we put into the farm.” Because yes, one of the things Gwen keeps busy with is their farm, a tiny house and Airbnb, of which she did most of the land planning and designing of the structures herself.

She and her husband, David Semerad, are super hands-on with the place with David doing the physical work from caring for the animals to the landscaping and maintenance of the whole property. On top of that, they are also trying to get the whole place set up for their wedding in December. Fun fact: the happy couple actually already had a civil wedding in France a year and a half ago because their wedding in the Philippines got canceled due to the pandemic. “We always wanted and envisioned getting married at our farm but it just wasn’t ready back then,” Gwen opens up. “It’s amazing how everything just worked out though. Now, we’ll be super ready and more to accommodate our friends and family flying from all over the world. It’s going to be epic!”

Things don’t end there, though. Since Gwen and David love to take care of themselves and get pampered, it was only fitting that they invest in an aesthetic clinic as well. One Stop Aesthetic is actually owned and run by their dear friends, and they are super proud and honored to be part of this business journey.

Nope, we’re not done yet. With Gwen’s dad, renowned Chef Philippe Agnese, moving back to the Philippines; they also decided to start a food manufacturing business together with David and her cousin who moved from France. “I’ve finally reached the age and maturity to start a proper family business,” Gwen gushes. They currently have a few products available like a sweet chili mix, frozen kebabs, ready-to-cook salpicao, filet mignon, and chocolate mousse. Some items are also available for resellers and they are working on producing more products in time for the holidays. Stay tuned to @gwenzcuisinehub on Facebook and Instagram.

That aside, they are also starting to breed Rottweilers with their dear Naïa and they will soon be studding their Yorkie Bamboo as well. As you can see, Gwen and David keep working hard and hustling, though Gwen shares that everything they are going through now happened organically and at the right time. To others with big dreams, she says, “Just go for it! Don’t ever give up and never stop dreaming! You’ll be surprised how far you can go with the right mindset. You may reach some hurdles but just push thru, it’s all part of the journey. Keep busy enjoy the hustle, compete only with yourself and stay humble. Also helps to have a loving and supportive family by your side cheering you on to achieve higher and better.”

Know any other inspiring people you’d like us to feature? Email me at [email protected] or send me a direct message at When in Manila Angeline on Facebook . Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at  WIM Squad !  Join our WhenInManila.com community on Viber, as well !

About The Author

Angeline Rodriguez is a geek and a self-proclaimed superhero. She reads. She writes. She loves. You may get to know her better on her personal blog: https://www.lilmisswonderwoman.com

10 Filipino Personalities Who Captured Our Hearts In 2021, From Olympic Champs To Empowered Filipinas

Filipino personalities who made headlines in 2021

2021 has been a year when we’ve started to see the light at the end of the tunnel after all that happened in 2020. Along with the rest of the world, we started rolling out our vaccines against Covid-19, and various Filipinos, from sportspeople to animators to journalists, have made history in the global spotlight.

Below, we take a look back at some Filipino personalities who made well-deserved headlines this year. From Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi to Jeyrick “Carrot Man” Sigmaton, here are the people who inspired us that even in the hardest of times, the unexpected can be possible.

1. Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi – first recipient of a Covid-19 vaccine

The early months of 2021 saw us with more optimism, as the first batch of  Covid-19 vaccines was beginning to be delivered around the world.

Our official vaccine rollout started on 1st March, with Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi , Director of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and a renowned neurosurgeon, as the first official recipient of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Despite vaccine hesitancy among some at that time, he, among other medical frontliners, encouraged the public to trust the scientific facts about the vaccines. Fast forward to the end of 2021, thankfully, about 40 million Filipinos have now been fully vaccinated.

2. Kajo Baldisimo & Budjette Tan – creators of Trese

From first being produced as a photocopied comic series sold locally, Kajo Baldisimo and Budjette Tan’s  Trese has proven that imagination can make the seemingly impossible possible. Baldisimo, an illustrator, and Budjette Tan, a writer, already had careers in advertising back in 2005, but they decided to set aside time to create a monthly comic book that would become their passion project Trese. 

Today, its adaptation has premiered on Netflix as a 6-episode series featuring the adventures of Alexandra Trese as she solves supernatural cases amidst the modern Metro Manila.

Its adaptation wasn’t without a star-studded cast, with Liza Soberano as the Tagalog-speaking voice behind the Tagalog version of Alexandra Trese and Filipino-Canadian actress Shay Mitchell, who has starred in Pretty Little Liars, as Alexandra’s English counterpart.

3. Alamat – debuted in February as a P-Pop group representing various Philippine regions

Getting into local cultures doesn’t have to be purely academic, as proven by Alamat , an 8-member P-Pop boy group consisting of Taneo, Mo, Tomas, R-ji, Valfer, Alas, Gami and Jao. After debuting in February 2021 with their first single “kbye,” the group set out to promote the richness of Philippine cultures, aside from showcasing their talents to sing and dance.

For instance, they sing in different languages and also wear colorful streetwear inspired by their hometowns’ traditions. They now have 3 singles and music videos, filled with local symbols and motifs, under their belt.

4. Hidilyn Diaz – won the Philippines’ first Olympic gold

Hidilyn Diaz ended our struggle to win an Olympic gold for almost a century at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she triumphed over China’s Liao Qiuyun and Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo in the women’s 55kg weightlifting category.

Diaz had to make her way up from the bottom before her historic win, though. When she was starting as an Olympian weightlifter, for instance, she only ranked second last at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She also did not finish her run at the 2012 London Olympics after her unsuccessful clean and jerk attempts. Her Olympic win indeed shows, as cliched as it may sound, that winners aren’t necessarily those who can’t fail, but those who strive hard to improve themselves.

5. Margielyn Didal – won the hearts of netizens with her positivity

While Margielyn Didal didn’t win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ skateboarding event after ending up as a 7th placer, she has proven that her radiating sportsmanship can win the hearts of spectators from around the world instead.

Besides her positive attitude at the Olympics, Didal has become a source of inspiration among young Filipinos this year for many reasons as well. Like Diaz, she didn’t always have access to resources, as she does not come from a privileged family. During her early days of skateboarding, she even had to borrow her equipment. She also was roaming streets in Cebu as a vendor and to sell newspapers, until she eventually found her community with the skateboarders in her town.

Since then, the skateboarder has traveled around the world for competitions and has landed on the pages of prestigious global magazines.

6. Carlo Paalam – from scavenger to Olympic silver medalist

He once was a street boy, scavenging for bottles and plastic to make ends meet with his family. But little did the young Carlo Paalam know that despite not being born with a silver spoon, he would one day win over the world at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Along with Diaz and Didal, Paalam was one of our inspirations at the recently concluded Olympics after he cinched a Silver medal for beating out Great Britain’s Galal Yafai at the Olympics’ men’s flyweight boxing finals.

7. Ayn Bernos – represented petite, morena Filipinas at Miss Universe Philippines

Despite joining this year’s Miss Universe Philippines to represent petite, morena Filipinas, Rousanne Marie “Ayn” Bernos , who finished in the Top 16, has had to endure criticisms. Brown-skinned and standing at 5’3, Bernos took the opportunity to break common beauty standards at the pageant after it had removed its height requirement. Some, however, did not shy away from bashing her as having a mental health problem for competing “against taller, smarter, and more beautiful women.”

But she answered her bashers with grace when she took to Instagram that she did not join the pageant because she believed she held the features of a common beauty standard. “I joined it because I know I’m not, and it’s about time girls like me are allowed to try,” Bernos, who also founded the clothing brand Morena the Label, said .

8. Manila Luzon – promoting local drag queens

While drag queens have long been a thriving community across the Philippines, they haven’t been a part of the mainstream as much as drag queens who live on the western side of the world. RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna and Filipino-American drag queen Manila Luzon has thankfully been helping put the limelight onto our Filipino drag queens by agreeing to host the country’s upcoming first drag queen reality TV show, Drag Den Philippines .

Auditions for the show have been concluded, with 8 queens chosen among hundreds of thousands of hopefuls. The airing date has yet to be announced, but it will be streamed on WeTV.

9. Maria Ressa – named as this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner alongside a Russian journalist

Filipinos across various fields indeed made names on the global stage this year. While Diaz bagged the highest medal at a global sporting event, veteran journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa has also made history when she won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov. She is the first Filipino to win a Nobel and the only female among this year’s laureates.

The Nobel committee commended her and Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” True to this, Ressa has been sounding the alarm about the prevalence of disinformation online in the Philippines, with many of her published works explaining how Facebook’s algorithms have been taken advantage of by fake accounts to spread their propaganda.

10. Jeyrick “Carrot Man” Sigmaton – bagged a Best Actor award in New York

Life has indeed changed for Jeyrick Sigmaton after his photos, which show his handsome features while he carries carrots across the streets of Benguet, went viral in 2016. Since he shot to stardom, he has earned the nickname “Carrot Man” and has had several projects across several industries, from entertainment to modeling.

In fact, he has proven that he’s more than just his chiseled looks after he won Best Actor at the International Film Festival Manhattan Autumn in New York this year for his role in the short film Dayas, which sheds light on the life of Igorot miners in Itogon, Benguet.

2021 Filipino personalities

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Filipinos have proven that nothing can stop them from achieving what their hearts set them out to pursue. And most of all, not only did they win in their fields this year, they also emerged victorious to represent a cause larger than themselves.

Kudos to all Filipino headline-makers in 2021!

Also check out:

• Things to know about Alamat
• Facts about Hidilyn Diaz
• Filipino Olympic athletes at Tokyo 2020
• What Ayn Bernos means for me & my dreams 

Cover image adapted from: Florencio Sayson , @aynbernos , and @maria_ressa

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Famous People From The Philippines: Filipino Celebrities

Famous Filipino People

Exploring the famous people from the philippines offers a unique insight into the rich tapestry of Filipino culture and history. From national heroes who shaped the nation’s destiny to modern-day icons blazing trails in various fields, this article delves into the lives and achievements of some of the most distinguished Filipinos. Their stories are not just tales of personal triumph but also reflections of the Philippines’ evolving identity on the world stage.

Table of Contents

Historical figures in the philippines, national heroes.

Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Philippines, I’ve come to admire the national heroes who fought for the country’s freedom. One of the most prominent national heroes is Jose Rizal, renowned for his two novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.” His works exposed the injustices and corruption in the Spanish colonial government, which inspired the Philippine Revolution.

Another national hero is Apolinario Mabini, often referred to as the “Brains of the Revolution.” A lawyer and a writer, Mabini authored “La Liga Filipina,” an organization aiming to unite Filipinos and fight for their rights.

Gabriela Silang was the first Filipina revolutionary leader to lead a revolt against Spanish colonization in 1763. Following the assassination of her husband, Diego Silang, by the Spaniards, she carried on his fight. Gabriela Silang is also celebrated for her bravery and patriotism.

Political Leaders of Fame

The Philippines has seen many political leaders who have significantly shaped the nation’s history. Ferdinand Marcos, serving as president from 1965 to 1986, was known for his authoritarian rule and the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. His tenure was marked by notable human rights violations and corruption.

The People Power Revolution in 1986 resulted in Marcos’ downfall and the emergence of President Corazon Aquino, acclaimed for her dedication to democracy and human rights. Her legacy was continued by her son, Benigno Aquino III, who served as president from 2010 to 2016.

The Philippines boasts a rich history populated with courageous and inspirational figures, from national heroes to political leaders. Their contributions have profoundly influenced the nation’s identity and continue to inspire people today.

Famous Filipino Entertainers

Famous Filipino Actors and Filipina Actresses

The Philippine entertainment industry is home to many talented actors and actresses, both veterans and newcomers. Some of the most notable names in the industry include John Lloyd Cruz, Kathryn Bernardo, and Nadine Lustre. These actors and actresses have made their mark in the industry with their exceptional acting skills, and have become beloved by many Filipinos.

Famous Music Artists From The Philippines

The Philippine music industry is also thriving, with many talented music artists making waves both locally and internationally. Lea Salonga is one of the most well-known Filipino music artists, having won numerous awards for her singing and acting career. Charice Pempengco is another notable music artist, who rose to fame after appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah Winfrey Show. She released her first album in 2010 and became the first Asian actress to have a recurring role on the hit TV series Glee.

Television Personalities In The Philippines

The Philippine television industry is also filled with many talented personalities who have made their mark in the industry. Sarah Geronimo is one of the most popular television personalities in the country, having won numerous awards for her acting and singing career. She has been a judge on the hit TV series The Voice Philippines and has also hosted her own TV show. Bella Poarch is a rising star in the industry, having gained popularity on social media for her viral TikTok videos. She has since become a commercial model and has even ventured into music, releasing her first single in 2021.

Overall, the Philippine entertainment industry is filled with many talented individuals who have made their mark in their respective fields. From acting to music to television, these personalities have received critical acclaim and have become beloved by many Filipinos.

Famous Philippine Sporting Stars

Filipino Boxing Legends

Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines, and it has produced many great champions over the years. Among them is Manny Pacquiao, who is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Pacquiao has won world titles in eight different weight divisions, making him the only boxer in history to achieve this feat. He has also been named Fighter of the Decade for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Pacquiao’s success in the ring has made him a national hero in the Philippines, and he has also become a prominent politician in the country.

Another notable boxer from the Philippines is Nonito Donaire. Donaire has won world titles in four different weight divisions and has been named Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He is known for his powerful punching and technical skills, and he has been praised for his ability to adapt to different styles of fighting.

Other Famous Filipino Athletes

Aside from boxing, the Philippines has produced many other great athletes in various sports. In swimming, the country’s first Olympic medalist was Teofilo Yldefonso, who won bronze medals in the 200-meter breaststroke in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. In weightlifting, Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She also won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In bowling, Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno is considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He has won six world titles and has been inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame. In basketball, the Philippines has produced many great players, including Robert Jaworski, who is known as the “Living Legend” of Philippine basketball.

Overall, the Philippines has a rich history of producing great athletes in various sports. From boxing legends like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire to other athletes like Hidilyn Diaz and Paeng Nepomuceno, these sports icons have brought pride and honor to the country through their achievements and success.

Filipino Cultural Ambassadors

The Philippines is renowned for its cultural ambassadors, who represent the country’s rich talent, beauty, and hospitality on the global stage. This section highlights some of the most notable cultural ambassadors from the Philippines, showcasing their significant contributions and international recognition.

Famous People From The Philippines with International Recognition

One of the most recognizable and celebrated cultural ambassadors from the Philippines is Lea Salonga. She is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer who has starred in various Broadway productions, such as “Miss Saigon” and “Les Misérables.” Her beautiful voice has also earned her international recognition as the first Asian solo singer to perform at the Tony Awards and the Oscars.

Another notable cultural ambassador is Charice Pempengco, who gained global fame after appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2007. Her exceptional talent and best performance earned her a spot on the hit TV show “Glee” and a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. She released her first international studio album, “Charice,” in 2010, which debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart.

Beauty Queens From The Philippines

The Philippines is also known for producing some of the most beautiful women in the world. The country has won four Miss Universe titles, the most recent being in 2018 by Catriona Gray. She wowed the judges with her “lava walk” and her advocacy for education for underprivileged children. Another famous beauty queen is Pia Wurtzbach, who won the Miss Universe title in 2015. She is the third Filipina to win the prestigious crown and is known for her grace and intelligence.

These cultural ambassadors have put the Philippines on the map and have shown the world what we are capable of. They have made us proud and have inspired many young Filipinos to pursue their dreams.

Famous People from the Philippines in Business and Innovation

Famous Filipino Entrepreneurs

As a country with a thriving economy, the Philippines has produced many successful entrepreneurs. One of the most notable is Henry Sy, the founder of SM Investments Corporation. He started with a small shoe store in Manila and turned it into the largest retail and mall operator in the country. Another successful entrepreneur is Tony Tan Caktiong, the founder of Jollibee Foods Corporation. He started with a small ice cream parlor and turned it into the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines.

Other notable entrepreneurs include John Gokongwei Jr., the founder of JG Summit Holdings, and Lucio Tan, the founder of LT Group. Both of these men started with small businesses and turned them into large conglomerates with interests in various industries.

Filipino Tech Innovators

The Philippines is also home to many tech innovators who have made significant contributions to the industry. One of the most notable is Dado Banatao, who is often referred to as the “Father of the PC Chipset.” He is known for inventing the first single-chip 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator and the first 10-Mbit Ethernet controller chip.

Another notable tech innovator is Diosdado Banatao, who is known for inventing the first graphics accelerator chip. He also co-founded Mostron, a computer company that was later acquired by Acer.

In recent years, the Philippines has also produced many successful tech startups. One of the most notable is PayMongo, a fintech startup that was incubated by Y Combinator. The company has made it easier for businesses to accept online payments in the Philippines.

Overall, the Philippines has a rich history of entrepreneurship and innovation. From small shoe stores to large conglomerates, and from PC chipsets to online payment systems, the country has produced many successful business leaders and tech innovators.

Famous People From The Philippines In The Political Arena

Famous Presidents from the Philippines

The rich history of the Philippines is particularly evident in its political arena. The Philippines has had several notable presidents who have contributed to the country’s development and progress. One of the most prominent is Manuel L. Quezon, the first Filipino to lead a government of the whole Philippines. He served as the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. Another notable president is Ferdinand Marcos, who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. However, his presidency was marred by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.

Joseph Estrada, a Filipino politician and actor, served as the 13th president of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001. He was impeached in 2000 on charges of corruption and was subsequently convicted of plunder in 2007. Currently, the Philippines is led by President Rodrigo Duterte, who assumed office in 2016. Duterte is known for his controversial policies, including the war on drugs and the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

Philippine Legislative Members

Apart from the presidents, the Philippines also has notable legislative members. The Senate President of the Philippines is Vicente Sotto III, who has been serving in this position since 2018. He is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and has been a senator since 1992. The Philippine House of Representatives, on the other hand, is led by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who assumed office in 2020. He represents the Lone District of Marinduque and is a member of the PDP-Laban political party.

It is worth noting that some Filipino politicians have been involved in controversies involving public funds. For instance, Janet Lim-Napoles was implicated in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, which involved the misuse of government funds. She was convicted of plunder in 2018 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Similarly, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, was also implicated in the same scam and was detained from 2014 to 2017.

In conclusion, the political arena in the Philippines is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. While there have been notable figures who have contributed to the country’s progress, there have also been controversies and scandals involving public funds. As a Filipino, I believe that it is important to remain vigilant and hold our leaders accountable for their actions.

Filipinos Famous for Literature and Arts

Filipino Writers

The Philippines has produced many esteemed writers, some of whom have gained international recognition. One of the most famous Filipino writers is Jose Rizal, who is considered a national hero and a symbol of the country’s struggle for independence. Rizal’s works, such as “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” are considered classics of Philippine literature.

Another renowned Filipino writer is Nick Joaquin, who won the National Artist award for Literature. Joaquin was published at the early age of 17 and wrote short stories and novels in the English language. He was also known for using the pen name Quijano de Manila.

Famous Artists from the Philippines

The Philippines is home to many talented artists who have made significant contributions to the world of art. One of the most famous Filipino artists is Fernando Amorsolo, who is often referred to as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art.” Amorsolo was the country’s first National Artist and was known for his colorful depictions of local people that reflect the radiance of the Philippine sun.

In addition to Amorsolo, the Philippines has produced many other notable artists, such as Juan Luna, who painted the famous “Spoliarium,” and Ben Cabrera, who is known for his modernist paintings.

Overall, the Philippines has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is reflected in its literature and arts. From Jose Rizal to Fernando Amorsolo, the country has produced many talented individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Today, the Philippines celebrates its literary and artistic heritage through events such as National Literature Month and National Arts Month, and by honoring its great writers and artists with national holidays and awards.

International Influence of Famous Filipino People

Global Achievements

As a nation, the Philippines has made significant contributions to the global community. The first Asian actress to win an Academy Award was Filipina-American actress, Merle Oberon. Her success in the film industry paved the way for other Asian actors and actresses to make their mark in Hollywood. Another notable achievement is the success of award-winning actor, Lea Salonga, who is known for her roles in Broadway productions such as Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. Her talent and hard work have earned her numerous accolades and recognition worldwide.

Cross-Cultural Impact Of Famous Filipinos

Filipino artists have also made an impact on the global art scene. The first Filipino artist to exhibit in the United States was Fernando Amorsolo, whose paintings depict the beauty of the Filipino people and landscapes. His artwork has been featured in numerous galleries and museums around the world. Additionally, Filipino-American artist, Pacita Abad, gained international recognition for her vibrant and colorful paintings. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums in over 50 countries.

In the sports world, the Philippines has also made its mark. Filipino-American football player, Roman Gabriel, played for the Los Angeles Rams and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1969. Meanwhile, Filipino-American kicker, Jason Elam, played for the Denver Broncos and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. These athletes have shown that Filipinos can excel in different fields and compete at the highest level.

Overall, the Philippines has contributed greatly to the global community through the achievements of its people. From the arts to sports, Filipinos have made their mark and continue to inspire others around the world.

Famous Filipinos in Media and Journalism

Filipino News Anchors

The Philippines has produced many talented news anchors, notable among them being Ted Failon, Karen Davila, and Korina Sanchez. These individuals have become household names due to their years of experience in the industry, their professionalism, and their ability to deliver news in a clear and concise manner.

Ted Failon is a veteran broadcast journalist in the Philippines, known for his in-depth reporting and analytical skills. He has won several awards for his work, including the prestigious Gawad Plaridel award. Karen Davila, on the other hand, is a multi-awarded journalist who has been in the industry for more than two decades. She is known for her hard-hitting interviews and her ability to tackle tough issues. Korina Sanchez, meanwhile, has been a fixture in Philippine television for more than 30 years. She is known for her captivating presence on screen and her ability to connect with her audience.

Photojournalists

Photojournalists play an important role in the media industry, capturing images that tell a story and evoke emotions. In the Philippines, some of the most notable photojournalists include Alex Baluyut, Veejay Villafranca, and Jes Aznar.

Alex Baluyut is a veteran photojournalist who has covered some of the most significant events in Philippine history, including the EDSA Revolution and the Zamboanga Siege. Veejay Villafranca, on the other hand, is a documentary photographer who has won several awards for his work, including the Ian Parry Scholarship and the National Geographic All Roads Photography Award. Jes Aznar, meanwhile, is a freelance photojournalist who has covered conflicts in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. He has won several awards for his work, including the Humanitarian Photography Award and the Days Japan International Photojournalism Award.

Overall, the media and journalism industry in the Philippines is filled with talented individuals who have made a significant impact on the industry. From news anchors to photojournalists, these individuals have dedicated their lives to bringing important stories to the public and shedding light on issues that matter.

Where Can I Find The Latest On Famous Filipinos

We suggest checking out one of the many Filipino specific entertainment and lifestyle resources like Cosmopolitan – Philippines Edition

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Photo by George Pimentel – Wikimedia

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Photo courtesy of Malacañang Palace – Wikimedia

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Philippines

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Republic of the Philippines East and Southeast Asia Manila 107,668,231 inhabitants 300,000 sq km 358.89 inhabitants/sq km Philippine pesos (PHP) population evolution

Famous people from Philippines

Here is a list of famous people from Philippines . Curious if anybody from Philippines made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.

Manny Pacquiáo

Professional Boxer

Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first and only eight-division world champion, in which he has won ten world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He is also the second highest paid athlete in the world. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization. He is also a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year," winning the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and the Best Fighter ESPY Award in 2009 and 2011. He was long rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by some sporting news and boxing websites, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Sporting Life, Yahoo! Sports, About.com, BoxRec and The Ring. In April 2012, Pacquiao dropped to number two in the rankings, behind Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He is currently ranked number seven on The Ring pound for pound list. Aside from boxing, Pacquiao has participated in acting, music recording and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani.

American Football Quarterback

Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He previously played quarterback for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. He played college football for the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and appearing on BCS National Championship-winning teams in the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Tebow was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Tebow became the University of Florida Gators' starting quarterback during the 2007 season when he became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. In 2008, Tebow led Florida to a 13–1 record and its second national championship in three years, and was named the offensive MVP of the national championship game. The Gators again went 13–1 in 2009, his senior year. At the conclusion of his college career, he held the Southeastern Conference's all-time records in both career passing efficiency and total rushing touchdowns, appearing second and tenth in the NCAA record book in these categories. As a member of the Denver Broncos, he started the last three games of his rookie season and became the team's full-time starting quarterback beginning in the sixth game of 2011. The Broncos were 1–4 before he became the starter, but began winning with him on the field, often coming from behind late in the fourth quarter until they won their first AFC West title and first playoff game since 2005, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime. Tebow was traded to the New York Jets during the offseason after the Broncos acquired free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. Tebow received little playing time for the Jets and on April 29, 2013, the Jets released Tebow after drafting quarterback Geno Smith. He signed a two-year, non-guaranteed contract with New England on June 11, 2013 before being cut from the team on August 31, 2013.

Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, popularly known by the mononym Charice, is a Filipina singer who rose to popularity through YouTube. Dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as "the most talented girl in the world", she released her first international studio album Charice in 2010. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number-eight, making Charice the first Asian solo singer in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart. She released the single "Pyramid" which featured singer Iyaz. It is her most successful single to-date, charting within the top 40 in a number of countries, and debuting on The Oprah Winfrey Show where she sang live vocals. Crossing over to acting on television, she joined the cast of TV series Glee as Sunshine Corazon. She has released a new lead single, "Before It Explodes", written by Bruno Mars, from her international sophomore studio album, Infinity. In March 2012, she signed on to be one of the four judges of the Philippine version of The X Factor, which began to air on ABS-CBN in June.

Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and member of the Philippine Senate. He was Senate President from 1963–1965. In 1983, his government was accused of being involved in the assassination of his primary political opponent, Benigno Aquino, Jr. Public outrage over the assassination served as the catalyst for the People Power Revolution in February 1986 that led to his removal from power and eventual exile in Hawaii. It was later discovered that during his 20-year rule, he and his wife Imelda Marcos had moved billions of dollars of embezzled public funds to accounts and investments in the United States, Switzerland, and other countries.

Lou Diamond Phillips

Lou Diamond Phillips is an American film, television, and stage actor and director. His breakthrough came when he starred in the film La Bamba as Ritchie Valens. He earned a supporting actor Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in Stand and Deliver and a Tony Award nomination for his role in The King and I. Other notable films in which Phillips has starred include Courage Under Fire, Che, and Love Takes Wing.

Lea Salonga

Original Pilipino Artist

Lea Salonga, KLD, is a Filipina singer and actress who starred in the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards. Salonga is the first Filipino artist to be signed to an international record label. She is also the first Philippine-based artist to have received a major album release and distribution deal in the United States, and one of the best-selling Filipino artist of all time, having sold over five million copies of her albums worldwide. She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and Fantine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway. She portrayed both roles on the musical's 10th and 25th anniversary show in London respectively. She also provided the singing voice of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin, and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. Salonga was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with The Walt Disney Company.

Corazon Aquino

María Corazón Sumulong "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino was a Filipino politician who served as the 11th President of the Philippines, the first woman to hold that office, and the first female president in Asia. Regarded as "The Mother of Philippine Democracy," Aquino was the most prominent figure of the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled the 21-year authoritarian rule of President Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy to the Philippines. She was named Time magazine's "Woman of the Year" in 1986. She is the first President without any political experience as she had not held any other elective office. A self-proclaimed "plain housewife,"she was married to Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., the staunchest critic of President Marcos. She emerged as leader of the opposition after her husband was assassinated on August 21, 1983 upon returning to the Philippines from exile in the United States. In late 1985, Marcos called for snap elections, and Aquino ran for president with former senator Salvador Laurel as her Vice-President. After the elections were held on February 7, 1986, the Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos and his running mate, Arturo Tolentino, as the winners amidst allegations of electoral fraud, with Aquino calling for massive civil disobedience actions. Defections from the Armed Forces and the support of the local Catholic Church led to the People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos and secured Aquino's accession on February 25, 1986.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Gloria Arroyo is the current President of the Philippines. Daughter of former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal she was born in 1947 in San Juan, Rizal. She earned Masters in economics from Ateneo de Manila University and Doctorate from the University of the Philippines. She was first elected into office Senator in 1992 and served until 1998. She won the Vice Presidency in 1998 under President Estrada. In January 2001 Estrada was forced from presidency due to corruption and Arroyo was sworn in as president. She was elected to a full six yeat presidential term in 2004.

Imelda Marcos

Imelda R. Marcos, PLH is a Filipino politician and widow of the tenth Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. During her husband's twenty-year rule as President, she held various government positions until his ouster in 1986. She is the first politician elected as member of the Philippine legislature in three geographical locations. In 2010, she was elected to become a member of the House of Representatives to represent Ilocos Norte's second district. She is sometimes referred to as the Steel Butterfly or the Iron Butterfly. She is often remembered for symbols of the extravagance of her husband's political reign, including her collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. In 2011, Imelda Marcos has declared her net worth to be 932.8 million pesos, parliamentary records show, as she continues to fight the government over her assets more than two decades after her husband’s reign ended. Imelda is the second-richest Philippine politician behind boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao.

Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu, is a Filipina actress. She is best known for her roles in the teleseryes Sana Maulit Muli, My Girl, Tayong Dalawa, Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, My Binondo Girl and Ina, Kapatid, Anak. The first winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition, Chiu is part of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents, Star Magic.

Laidback Luke

Electro house Artist

Laidback Luke is a Filipino-Dutch DJ and producer. He was voted #46 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list in 2008, before jumping to #27 in 2009 and jumping up 10 places in 2010.

Billy Crawford

Billy Joe Crawford is a Filipino-American recording artist, singer-songwriter, actor, TV host and philanthropist. Crawford has lived in New York City, USA, and in Paris for five years and for one year in London. He also lived in Los Angeles in 2007. In 2008, he went to Manila to host Pinoy Dream Academy Überture. He was also the host of Miss Earth 2008. Crawford is multilingual; his first language is Tagalog, his second is English and he is conversational in French. He is currently a talent of ABS-CBN, a Philippine television network, and was seen in Pilipinas Got Talent as one of the two main hosts together with Luis Manzano. After a string of unsuccessful singles and album releases, he restarted his career in the Philippines.

Regine Velasquez

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez-Alcasid, known as Regine Velasquez, is a Filipina recording artist and actress. She won the Grand Prize at the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong, and is known for possessing an extensive vocal range. Velasquez is the first Asian artist to stage a solo concert at the Carnegie Hall in New York, as part of Carnegie Hall's centennial-year concert series. In 1994, Polygram Records produced her first Asia-released album, Listen Without Prejudice. It is considered as Velasquez' most successful album to date, selling more than 700,000 copies in Asia. The album has sold over 100,000 units in the Philippines, 300,000 units in China and 20,000 in Thailand. She has performed and collaborated with other international artists such as Paul Anka, David Hasselhoff, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Mandy Moore, Ronan Keating, Stephen Bishop, Jim Brickman, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Dave Koz, Grasshopper, Coco Lee, Michel Legrand, David Pomeranz, Eduardo Capetillo, Fernando Carrillo, Billy Crawford, David Archuleta, Russel Watson and Singaporean vocal band Skritch. In 2000, Velasquez' music video "In Love With You", a duet with Jacky Cheung, landed the #1 spot in MTV Asia's Top 20 Asian Videos.

Manuel Quezon

Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines, and is considered by most Filipinos to have been the second president of the Philippines, after Emilio Aguinaldo. Quezón was the first Senate president elected to the presidency, the first president elected through a national election and the first incumbent to secure re-election. He is known as the "Father of the National Language". During his presidency, Quezón tackled the problem of landless peasants in the countryside. Other major decisions include reorganization of the islands' military defense, approval of recommendation for government reorganization, promotion of settlement and development in Mindanao, dealing with the foreign stranglehold on Philippine trade and commerce, proposals for land reform, and opposing graft and corruption within the government. He established an exiled government in the U.S. with the outbreak of the war and the threat of Japanese invasion.

Joseph Estrada

Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada is a Filipino politician who served as the 13th President of the Philippines from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency. He is the Mayor of Manila, the country's capital, after emerging as the victor in the 2013 mid-term elections. Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in an acting career spanning 33 years. He used his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics, serving as mayor of San Juan for sixteen years, as Senator for one term, then as Vice President of the Philippines under the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos. Estrada was elected President in 1998 with a wide margin of votes separating him from the other challengers, and was sworn into the presidency on June 30, 1998. In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and captured its headquarters and other camps. However, allegations of corruption spawned an impeachment trial in the Senate, and in 2001 Estrada was ousted by "People Power 2" after the prosecution walked out of the impeachment court when the Senator Judges voted no in the opening of the second envelope. The EDSA 2 protests resulted from the concerted efforts of political, business, military, and church elites who were displeased by Estrada's policies that included removal of sovereign guarantees on government contracts. In October 2000, the Daily Tribune reported about elite plans to "'constitutionally' oust President Estrada under 'Oplan Excelsis." Emil Jurado of the Manila Standard reported as early as 1999 about a PR demolition work designed to embarrass Estrada "by attributing to his administration all sorts of perceived faults and scams with the end in view of covering up anomalies and scams also committed during the Ramos administration." Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo also admitted in an interview with Nick Joaquin that he and then-Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and certain military officials plotted plans to oust Estrada in January 2001, with the alternative plan B being violent "with orders to shoot. And not only in Metro Manila."

Angel Locsin

Angel Locsin is a Filipina television and film actress, commercial model, film producer and fashion designer. She came to prominence for her television roles as Alwina in the 2004 fantasy-themed television series Mulawin and as the superheroine Darna in the TV adaptation of the Mars Ravelo comics. Locsin was a contract artist of GMA Network up to early 2007 until she transferred to its rival network, ABS-CBN. She then starred as Lyka in the television series Lobo, which earned her an International Emmy Award nomination for best performance. She later on starred in blockbuster films In The Name Of Love and One More Try for which she garnered critical acclaim for both performances. The two films earned Locsin the Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year and the Box-Office Entertainment Award for Film Actress of the Year, winning both awards two consecutive years. In 2013, she won the FAMAS Award and the Film Academy of the Philippines Award for best actress for her performance in One More Try.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio Famy Aguinaldo, QSC PLH was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He had an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine–American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation. Aguinaldo became the Philippines' first president. He was also the youngest to have become the country's president, the longest-lived former president and the president to have outlived the most number of successors.

Nonito Donaire

Nonito Donaire, Jr. is a Filipino American professional boxer. Known as "The Filipino Flash," Donaire is a three-division world champion and the former IBF, WBO, The Ring Super Bantamweight Champion. He is also the former WBC and WBO Bantamweight, Interim WBA Super Flyweight and IBF and IBO Flyweight Champion. He is a known switch-hitter with the ability to fight either southpaw or orthodox. His surname is often mispronounced as do-nayr but it is properly pronounced as do-nigh-reh. Donaire is currently rated by The Ring as the number ten pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Vanessa Minnillo

Vanessa Joy Lachey is an American television personality, television host, fashion model, and actress. Minnillo was also named Miss Teen USA in 1998. She has been a New York-based correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and hosted Total Request Live on MTV.

Judy Ann Santos

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is a Filipino film and television actress, product endorser, recording artist, and film producer. Santos began as a child actress and made her professional television debut in Kaming Mga Ulila before her screen debut in the film Silang Mga Sisiw Sa Lansangan where she appeared as part of the ensemble playing a supporting role. Her first leading role in a television series was in Ula, Ang Batang Gubat, but she received media recognition in her breakthrough television series Mara Clara. She has since spawned highly rated television series, amongst these are Esperanza, Basta't Kasama Kita, Sa Piling Mo and Ysabella. Santos starred in commercially successful films in the early 1990s following motion picture adaptations of Mara Clara and Esperanza. She further achieved television and film success with pairings opposite Wowie de Guzman, Rico Yan, and Piolo Pascual. Santos’ performance in the film Sabel received critical acclaim and earned her the Gawad Urian for Best Actress. In 2006, her film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo gained both critical and financial success, Santos won the Metro Manila Film Festival for Best Actress, PMPC Star Awards for Movies Lead Actress and FAMAS Award for Best Actress among others. Santos’ other notable films include Till There Was You, Don't Give Up On Us, Ouija, Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, Mag-ingat Ka Sa...Kulam and My Househusband. Santos also earned television honors including a PMPC Star Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Krystala and KBP Golden Dove Award for Best TV Actress for Habang May Buhay.

Nora Aunor is a critically acclaimed Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also topbilled several stage plays, television shows, and concerts. Aunor started her career in the Philippine entertainment industry as a singer after she won an amateur singing contest. She made her film debut with All Over the World and also guested in youth-oriented flicks produced by Vera-Perez Pictures and United Brothers Production. Aunor transformed herself into a serious actress and came to be regarded as an acting heavyweight, performing in films such as Tatlong taong walang Diyos, Himala, Bona, The Flor Contemplacion Story and Thy Womb which gave her international and local awards and nominations. Aunor received 17 FAMAS Award nominations and was elevated to the "Hall of Fame" after winning five Best Actress Awards. She is the most nominated actress of Gawad Urian Awards with 17 nominations, winning seven. She has more nominations as Best Actress than any other Filipino actor in both FAMAS and Gawad Urian award giving bodies. She has won eight trophies from PMPC Star Awards for her work in television and movies, eight Metro Manila Film Festival, four Luna Awards, five Young Critics Circle Awards, a Cairo Film Festival award, an Asia Pacific Screen Awards, an Asian Film Awards, a Berlin Film Festival Award nomination, and a Venice Film Festival Awards nomination, amongst others.

Claudine Barretto

Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto-Santiago, popularly known as Claudine Barretto, is a multi-awarded film and television actress, entrepreneur and product endorser from the Philippines.

Andrés Bonifacio

Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He is often called "the father of the Philippine Revolution". He was a founder and later Supremo of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. He is considered a de facto national hero of the Philippines, and is also considered by some Filipino historians to be the first President, but officially he is not recognized as such.

Sharon Cuneta

Sharon Gamboa Cuneta-Pangilinan, better known as Sharon Cuneta, is a multi-awarded Filipino singer, actress and TV host dubbed The Megastar of Philippine Entertainment, and fondly called "Mega" or "Shawie" by fans and people from the entertainment industry. Her success in the movies, television and recording make her one of The Most Successful Filipina Actress. Her popularity has translated well into the field of advertising, where she is the highest paid and most effective Filipino celebrity endorser. Cuneta's long list of endoresements run the gamut from fastfood chain to bank, from make-up line to electronics, from ice cream to tele-communication company. On November 22, 2011, following months of speculations, Sharon’s big move to TV5 was made official by signing a staggering 1 Billion contract with the Kapatid Network – the highest ever paid to a Filipino artist. She parted ways with ABS-CBN, her home network of 24 years, on a cordial note. Her daily afternoon talk show Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid premiered on May 14, 2012 and has been hailed as an engaging program that aims to entertain and to inspire. The show provides the perfect platform for Sharon to be in touch with her audience, reaffirming her stature as a well-loved icon who is now more accessible to fans and viewers alike.

Luis Eduardo Aute

Singer-songwriter

Luis Eduardo Aute is a Spanish musician, singer-songwriter, film director, painter and poet.

Ai-Ai de las Alas

Martina Aileen de las Alas, popularly known as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino comedienne and film actress, dubbed as the Philippine Queen of Comedy and Comedy Concert Queen. Delas Alas first gained nationwide recognition for her movie Ang Tanging Ina which became a blockbuster hit. Due to the movie's popularity, it received a TV series spin-off with Alas again taking the lead role. The movie eventually received two sequels; "Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat" and "Ang Tanging Ina Mo".

Dingdong Dantes

José Sixto Raphael González Dantes, also known by his nickname Dingdong Dantes, is a Filipino television and film actor, director, presenter, print ads and commercial model, and movie producer. Dantes is currently working as an exclusive talent of GMA Network as of 2013. He manages his own film studio named AgostoDos Pictures.

Toni Gonzaga

Celestine Cruz "Toni" Gonzaga, better known as Toni Gonzaga, is a Filipino singer, television host, actress and model. She started her career with GMA Network, then later moved to ABS-CBN in 2005. She hosts the entertainment talk show The Buzz, and the reality shows Pinoy Big Brother and The Voice of the Philippines. She's also a co-host and a performer in the musical variety show ASAP.

Piolo Pascual

Piolo José Pascual is a Filipino film and television actor, musician, model, and producer.

Gary Valenciano

Manila sound Artist

Edgardo José Martin Santiago Valenciano, better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. Also known as Mr. Pure Energy, Valenciano has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" eleven times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first National Ambassador. His most notable songs include "Di Bale Na Lang", "Eto Na Naman", "Sana Maulit Muli", "Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?", "Gaya ng Dati", "Pasko Na, Sinta Ko", and "Narito". He is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actors, and is frequently tapped to sing theme songs for the network's soap operas and films. Gary Valenciano was given the ASAP Elite Platinum Circle Award for 2008 for his extraordinary achievements in the local music industry. In his 25 years in the music industry, Gary has been awarded five Platinum albums, four double Platinum albums, three triple Platinum albums, and two sextuple Platinum albums.

Fidel V. Ramos

Fidel "Eddie" Valdez Ramos, AFP, PLH, GCMG, popularly known as FVR, was the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. During his six years in office, Ramos was widely credited and admired by many for revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy. Prior to his election as President, Ramos served in the Cabinet of President Corazón Aquino, first as chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, chief of Integrated National Police, and later on, as Secretary of National Defense from 1986 to 1991. During the historic 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Ramos upon the invitation of then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, was hailed as a hero even though he was not part of the plan by many Filipinos for his decision to breakaway from the administration of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and pledge allegiance and loyalty to the newly established government of President Aquino. Under Ramos, the Philippines experienced a period of political stability and rapid economic growth and expansion, as a result of his policies and programs designed to foster national reconciliation and unity. Ramos was able to secure major peace agreements with Muslim separatists, communist insurgents and military rebels, which renewed investor confidence in the Philippine economy. Ramos also aggressively pushed for the deregulation of the nation's major industries and the privatization of bad government assets. As a result of his hands-on approach to the economy, the Philippines was dubbed by various internationally as Asia's Next Economic Tiger.

Kathryn Bernardo

Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo, known as Kathryn Bernardo, is a Filipina actress. She is best known for her role as Mara in the primetime Filipino drama, Mara Clara. Bernardo is currently a contract artist of Star Magic and ABS-CBN and most recently starred as Ana Bartolome in the 2011 drama film, Way Back Home. She also played the main protagonist Mikay in the primetime series Princess and I.

Coco Martin

Rodel Luis Nacianceno, better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films. He is also known for his portrayal of Ramon Lecumberri in the critically acclaimed television series, Tayong Dalawa, as well as for his award-winning dual role as the twins Alexander and Javier del Tierro in the series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, and main protagonist role as Daniel Guidotti in Walang Hanggan. He currently lives with his grandmother who raised him. He has five siblings, three from both his parents and two step siblings on his father's side.

Marvic "Vic" Castelo Sotto, is a Filipino actor, television show host, comedian, and film producer working for GMA Network and stars on noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga!. He won three consecutive titles for Philippine Box Office King.

John Lloyd Cruz

John Lloyd Cruz is a Filipino actor, model, and occasional TV host. His career started with appearances in numerous teen-oriented movies and TV shows. He is a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, where he is an alumnus of Batch 5. He starred in the teen drama Tabing Ilog along with Kaye Abad. He is best known for his work on soap operas such as It Might Be You, Maging Sino Ka Man, I ♥ Betty La Fea, and Imortal Throughout his career, he has collaborated with fellow actors, including Kaye Abad, Bea Alonzo, and Sarah Geronimo. In mid-2009, he shifted from his regular series of roles for a more controversial role in the film In My Life where he played gay. Cruz finished his elementary education at Marikina Catholic School. He attended his secondary education until third year at ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center. He used to reside in Santolan, Pasig. He is currently residing in Valle Verde, an exclusive subdivision in Pasig.

Christian Bautista

Christian Joseph Morata Bautista, more popularly known by his screen name Christian Bautista, is a Filipino singer, actor, host, and model. He was a finalist of Star In A Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN channel, winning the 4th place in the competition in 2003. After the contest, he signed a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines and released his self-titled debut album, Christian Bautista. The multi-platinum album established his name as an OPM artist with songs such as "The Way You Look At Me", "Colour Everywhere" and "Hands To Heaven" topping the charts. The singer gained popularity not only in the Philippines but in other countries in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The singer also collaborated with fellow Filipino singers Nina, Sitti, Rachelle Ann Go, Sarah Geronimo, Sheryn Regis, Erik Santos and Mark Bautista. He regularly appears in ABS-CBN's variety show ASAP 18. Bautista is shot "The Kitchen Musical" with fellow Stages talent, Karylle, and other Asian and Filipino talents in Singapore. Bautista transferred to GMA Network and he is slated to perform on Party Pilipinas for the first time on March 24, 2013. Bautista was under ABS-CBN for 10 years. He signed a three-year exclusive contract with GMA Network on March 20, 2013.

Kristine Hermosa

Kristine Hermosa Orille-Sotto on September 9, 1983 in Quezon City, Philippines) is a Filipina actress. She is well known for portraying the role of Yna Macaspac in the primetime drama series, Pangako Sa 'Yo. She is still one of the Biggest Stars of Star Magic in ABS-CBN and considered one of the Most Beautiful Celebrities in showbiz industry.

Hazel Pascual Reyes, better known by her screen name, Ara Mina, is a Filipina actress, fashion model and singer. She won the Golden Screen Award in 2004 for Best Actress in a drama in the Philippines for her role as Luna in Minsan Pa. The Filipino Express said "Ara Mina's role in this Jeffrey Jeturian film actually lies in the borderline of lead and supporting actress. Although she is the leading lady of Jomari Yllana and is, in fact, billed alongside his name, her character is basically secondary to the flow of the story. But whether lead or support, Ara Mina had already proven her worth as an actress in films like Mano Po 2 and Huling Birhen sa Lupa--the two films that had already given her acting trophies in the past. In Minsan Pa, she delivers another fine performance that is worth of more acting awards. She is the daughter of Chuck Mathay, a former Philippine congressman from Quezon City. Her half-sister Cristine Reyes is also an actress with ABS-CBN. Mina has appeared on the TV shows Bubble Gang, Prinsesa ng Banyera and Totoy Bato. She also played the role of Glacilda Bautista in Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?.

Benigno Aquino, Jr.

Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr, was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. Shortly after the imposition of Martial Law, he was arrested in 1973 along with other dissidents and incarcerated for seven years. Aquino was permitted to travel to the United States for medical treatment following a heart attack. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon returning from his self-imposed exile. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, into the political limelight, and prompted her to run for President as member of the UNIDO party in the 1986 snap elections. Among other public structures, Manila International Airport has since been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honour, and the anniversary of his death is a national holiday.

KC Concepcion

KC Concepcion is an actress and singer from the Philippines who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.

Ogie Alcasid

Herminio Jose Lualhati Alcasid, Jr., more popularly known as Ogie Alcasid, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, television presenter, comedian, parodist, and actor.He is currently the President of OPM and Commissioner of the Edsa People Power Commission.

Jennylyn Mercado

Jennylyn Vergara Mercado is a Filipino actress, singer and songwriter. She gained fame as the winner of the first season of the Philippine TV series StarStruck, a reality search show on GMA Network. She has released three albums from GMA Records and Viva Records which have several popular singles such as "Sa Aking Panaginip," "Moments Of Love" collaboration with Janno Gibbs, "Maybe This Time" and Kahit Sandali."

Monica Pauline "Nikki" Gil is a Filipino singer, actress, host, model and a present myx VJ. She is known for being part of the afternoon remake of Carlo J. Caparas' Pieta in 2008-2009 as Guia V. Angeles and also in 2009, she portrayed Princess Punzalan's role in the afternoon drama which ran in 2009 and 2010 as Julie Bernardo in Nagsimula sa Puso. She is also well known for her lead portrayal as Jennifer "Jenny" La Peña in the 2012 remake of the 1990 radio serial of Salvador Royales's Mundo Man ay Magunaw, originally played by Jennifer Sevilla in the film version and was produced by SEIKO Films.

Gerald Anderson

Gerald Randolph Opsima Anderson, Jr., also known as Gerald Anderson is a Filipino actor who was a former housemate on the first season of the Philippine reality television show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition. He is best known for his roles in the teleseryes Sana Maulit Muli, My Girl, Tayong Dalawa, Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, Wansapanataym Presents: Buhawi Jack and Budoy. Anderson is under contract to Star Magic, ABS-CBN's home-based talent agency.

Phillip Salvador

Phillip "Ipe" Salvador is a three-time FAMAS award-winning Filipino actor.

List of accolades received by Gianna Lynn

Pornographic actor

Gianna Lynn is an American pornographic actress. Lynn was born in the Philippines of mixed Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese ancestry and moved to California at the age of four. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley. She paints as a hobby.

José Javier Reyes

Screenwriter

Jose Javier Reyes is a Filipino writer, director, miscellaneous crew and actor. He has won awards at the Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival and Filipino Star Awards for Movies for his films, which include Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Batang PX and Kasal, kasali, kasalo.

Matthew Nicolas "Matt" Evans is a Filipino actor of American descent who was a contender of the Philippine reality television show Pinoy Big Brother. He rose to fame through his Filipino teleseryes Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, Tanging Yaman, and Rosalka. He studied college in Far Eastern University, Manila. Matt is currently part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic contract artists.

Ryan Eigenmann

Ryan Jonathan Villa Eigenmann is a Filipino actor known for his antagonistic roles.

Meryll Soriano

Meryll Soriano is a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines.

Arnel Pineda

Arnel Pineda is a Filipino singer-songwriter. He came to prominence in the Philippines during the 1980s and vaulted to international stardom in 2007 as the lead singer of the American rock band Journey.

Ramon Magsaysay

Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the seventh President of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30, 1953 until his death in a 1957 aircraft disaster. An automobile mechanic, Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales after his outstanding service as a guerilla leader during the Pacific War. He then served two terms as Liberal Party congressman for Zambales before being appointed as Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party. He was the first Philippine President born during the 20th century.

Cristine Reyes

Ara Marie Cristine Reyes, better known as Cristine Reyes, is a Filipina actress. She became a contestant of GMA-7's reality TV program, StarStruck. She is managed by Viva Artists Agency and a contract artist of ABS-CBN. Reyes has since taken part in different ABS-CBN shows, including Kahit Isang Saglit and the eponymous title role in Eva Fonda.

Bea Alonzo, is a Filipina film and television actress, and singer. She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract talents.

Benjie Paras

Basketball Center

Venancio Johnson Paras, Jr., better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor and a former professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season. As its star center, Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles.

Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., OGH, known by his screen names Dolphy, Pidol, and Golay, was a Filipino comedian-actor in the Philippines. He is widely regarded as the country's King of Comedy for his comedic talent embodied by his long roster of works on stage, radio, television and movies.

Francis Magalona

Francis Durango Magalona, also known as FrancisM, Master Rapper, The Mouth and The Man From Manila, was a Filipino rapper, entrepreneur, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. He was the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to cross over into the mainstream. He was credited for having pioneered the merging of rap with Pinoy rock, becoming a significant influence to artists in that genre as well. He was also a television host on MTV Asia and Channel V Philippines and on noontime variety television show Eat Bulaga! Magalona died seven months after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Magalona was later awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit. The award's citation noted that it had been given “for his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us.”

Basketball Shooting guard

James Carlos Agravante Yap Sr. is a Filipino professional basketball player for the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the Philippine Basketball Association. Yap enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Bacolod Tay Tung High School and then at Iloilo Central Commercial High School, where he sparked his team to three consecutive Iloilo PRISAA titles. He then went on to play at the collegiate level for the UE Red Warriors and helped the team to the Final Four in 2002 after years of absence. However, the Red Warriors lost to the Blue Eagles, the eventual champions. In the following season of UAAP, Yap led the Red Warriors to the Final Four for the second straight time. Eventually in the semifinals series, the Warriors lost to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. Nevertheless, Yap was named as the Most Valuable Player in 2003. Yap also played for the Philippine Basketball League from 2001 to 2004. He decided to declare his eligibility for the PBA Draft, and was selected u the 2nd overall pick in the 2004 PBA Draft by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. One of the focal points of the Purefoods offense, he is the 2005–2006 and 2009–2010 season's Most Valuable Player and he is also 2009–2010 Philippine Cup Conference MVP. Yap is also a nine-time PBA South All-Star team starter through 2004 to 2012 and a many-time member of the RP Basketball Team.

Bryan Callen

Bryan Christopher Callen is an American actor and comedian. Callen is notable for being one of the original cast members on the sketch comedy series MADtv.

Rhythm and blues Artist

Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari, commonly known by her stage name Karylle, is a Filipino singer, actress, TV host, dancer, writer, and blogger.

Julia Montes

Mara Hautea Schnittka, better known by her stage name Julia Montes, is a Filipina actress and commercial model of German-Filipino descent. She was a cast member of Goin' Bulilit before appearing as Clara in Mara Clara. She was popularly known as Katerina in Walang Hanggan, which catapulted her into fame. In 2013, she played the main protagonist Sarah in the primetime series Muling Buksan Ang Puso.

Neri Naig is a Filipina actress. She was discovered after joining Star Circle Quest, a reality show of ABS-CBN in search of new actors and actresses and landed as the 6th runner-up.

Carla Abellana

Carla Angeline Reyes Abellana is a Filipina actress and commercial model who played the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the Mexican telenovela, Rosalinda, aired in GMA Network. She is currently starring as Eulalia "Lally" Agatep-Soriano in My Husband's Lover on GMA Network.

Diosdado Macapagal

Diosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970. He is the father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. native of Lubao, Pampanga, Macapagal graduated from the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas, after which he worked as a lawyer for the government. He first won election in 1949 to the House of Representatives, representing a district in his home province of Pampanga. In 1957 he became vice president in the administration of President Carlos P. Garcia, and in 1961 he defeated Garcia's re-election bid for the presidency. As president, Macapagal worked to suppress graft and corruption and to stimulate the Philippine economy. He introduced the country's first land reform law, placed the peso on the free currency exchange market, and liberalized foreign exchange and import controls. Many of his reforms, however, were crippled by a Congress dominated by the rival Nacionalista Party. He is also known for shifting the country's observance of Independence Day from July 4 to June 12, commemorating the day Filipino patriots declared independence from Spain in 1898. His re-election bid was defeated in 1965 by Ferdinand Marcos, whose subsequent authoritarian rule lasted 20 years. During the Marcos administration, Macapagal was elected president of the Constitutional Convention which would later draft what became the 1973 constitution, though the manner in which the charter was ratified and modified led him to later question its legitimacy. He died of heart failure, pneumonia and renal complications at the age of 87.

Efren Reyes

Efren Manalang Reyes, OLD, PLH is a Filipino professional pool player and a two-time world champion.

Manuel Roxas

Manuel Acuña Roxas was the fifth President of the Philippines, the last of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the first of the sovereign Third Philippine Republic. He ruled as President from the Philippines' independence from the United States of America on 4 July 1946 until his abrupt death in 1948.

Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe, better known as Lovi Poe, is an award-winning Filipina actress and singer who is currently a contract star of GMA Network. She is the daughter of the legendary actor Fernando Poe, Jr. and is famous for playing the role of Kristal in Bakekang.

José P. Laurel

José Paciano Laurel y García, PLH was the president of the Second Philippine Republic, a Japanese puppet state when occupied during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Since the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal, Laurel has been recognized as a legitimate president of the Philippines.

Katrina Halili

Katrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa Ka.

Maricar Reyes

Maricar Concepcion Pozon Reyes, or simply Maricar Reyes is a Filipino actress, model and general practitioner.

Diana Zubiri

Rosemarie Joy Garcia, better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri, is a Filipina actress. She was discovered by Seiko Films when she was 15 years after applying for a work in Japan. She then started on sexy roles on various films by Seiko. In October 2002, Zubiri became widely known in the Philippines after posing on the top of the EDSA-Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City, wearing only a two-piece bikini. That photoshoot for FHM Philippines sparked controversy and prompted the Mayor of the City, Benhur Abalos, to file charges against Zubiri and FHM but it was later withdrawn after an apology. In 2005, Zubiri slowly departed on sexy films and proceeded to become a TV actress in GMA Network. One of her notable roles was portraying Divina in the drama series Linlang and Danaya in the Encantadia fantasy series. She was also a regular cast in the sketch-comedy program, Bubble Gang and starred on drama series like Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?. In 2012, after 9 years of staying in GMA Network, she transferred to its rival network ABS-CBN and signed a 3-year exclusive contract. During her younger years, Zubiri applied multiple times at ABS-CBN's Talent Center before going to Japan but she was rejected.

Sam Concepcion

Samuel Lawrence Lopez Concepcion is a Filipino singer, dancer, actor and host. He emerged as the winner for the Big Division of Little Big Star`s Season 1 in April 2006. He currently has a contract under STAGES and ABS-CBN's Star Magic. Concepcion started on a total of 12 theater roles and had various plays even at a young age, including the role of Edmund Pevensie in the local stage adaptation of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and Mr. Noah’s Big Boat. He has been in the role of Peter Pan from 2002 until 2012. Aside from theater roles, he has acted in movies including Way Back Home and Shake, Rattle & Roll 13. He acted in his first lead role on 2012 in the first Filipino musical-film entitled, I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!. He had his first role in television in ABS-CBN's Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, and his major break as Boy Bawang in the fantasy series Super Inggo. In 2007, Concepcion launched his self-titled album under Universal Records, which was certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. He also launched two other albums Pop Class, and Forever Young. The latter was his biggest hit, hitting the charts at Number 1 for seven weeks in a row. In 2008, Concepcion was chosen by Dreamworks to sing the theme song of the animated movie Kung Fu Panda, entitled, "Kung Fu Fighting" which was included in the Asian soundtrack album. With this project, Concepcion is the first Filipino artist to have collaborated with Dreamworks.

Cesar Montano

Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director. He started in show business as a commercial model. He played roles in numerous B movies. He then played major roles in several action movies and a brief television career playing the lead role in the television sitcom Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis. His breakout role is his portrayal of José Rizal, the Philippine National Hero in the film José Rizal. The film is unprecedented as it portrays Philippine society during Spanish colonization of the Philippines and its relevance up to the present day. He has won numerous acting awards Panaghoy sa Suba, José Rizal, Muro Ami and Bagong Buwan. Aside from acting, Montano also embarked on a singing career, with the release of his music album Subok lang or Just try in 2000. He has also ventured into film production as well as directing, with Panaghoy sa Suba as his directorial film debut. After his first Hollywood movie The Great Raid with Benjamin Bratt, he was cast in another Hollywood movie Another Deep Breath' which was never actually shot. In May 2007, he unsuccessfully ran for senate under the coalition Team Unity. GMA news reported that he lost about P40 million worth of endorsement for running in public office.

Eddie Garcia

Eddie Garcia popularly known as Manoy is a Filipino film actor and film director.

Chito Miranda

Alternative rock Artist

Alfonso "Chito" Miranda, Jr. is a Filipino singer and songwriter who is best known as one of the founding members and lead singer for the band Parokya ni Edgar.

Alodia Gosiengfiao

Alodia Almira Arraiza Gosiengfiao (born March 9, 1988 in Quezon City, Philippines) is a Filipina cosplayer model, artist and widely known cosplayer. Her remarkable achievements in the cosplay community led numerous companies in the Philippines to hire her as a celebrity endorser. She is one of the Ambassador and VJ For Animax-Asia known as the "Ani-mates", and the co-host of ABS-CBN's prank show called Laugh Out Loud. She also has been featured in various magazines, newspaper and TV shows locally and abroad. Gosiengfiao also appeared on the Philippine FHM 100 Sexiest Women poll, ranking #87 in 2009 and #76 in 2010. She was named by UNO Magazine as one of the Most Influential Women in the Philippines. In addition to her cosplay activities, for which she is most known, Gosiengfiao is also a blogger, performer, pianist, figure collector and BJD enthusiast. Alodia Gosiengfiao lives in Quezon City and is fond of art, fashion, video games, photography, collecting toys and figures, gadgets...

Elpidio Quirino

Elpidio Rivera Quirino was a Filipino politician, and the sixth President of the Philippines. A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a representative of Ilocos Sur from 1919 to 1925. He was then elected as senator from 1925–1931. In 1934, he became a member of the Philippine independence commission that was sent to Washington, D.C., which secured the passage of Tydings–McDuffie Act to American Congress. In 1935, he was also elected to become member of the convention that will write the draft of then 1935 constitution for the newly established Commonwealth. At the new government, he served as secretary of the interior and finance under Quezon's cabinet. After the war, Quirino was elected vice-president in 1946 election, consequently the second and last for the Commonwealth and first for the third republic. After the death of the incumbent president Manuel Roxas in 1948, he succeeded the presidency. In what was claimed to be a dishonest and fraudulent 1949 presidential election, he won the president's office under Liberal Party ticket, defeating Nacionalista vie and former president José P. Laurel as well as fellow Liberalista and former Senate President José Avelino.

Rica Peralejo

Regina Carla "Rica" Bautista Peralejo-Bonifacio is a Filipina actress, singer, and television host. She is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents collectively known as Star Magic.

Vilma Santos

Vilma Santos-Recto commonly known as Ate Vi is a multi-awarded actress and politician. She is known as the Star for all Seasons for her longevity in showbiz and holds the titles of Grand Slam Queen and as the longest reigning box office queen of Philippine cinema. Santos is also a politician, currently serving as Governor of Batangas and once as mayor of Lipa City.

Joey de Leon

José María Ramos de León, better known as Joey de Leon is a Filipino comedian, actor, and television presenter. He hosts the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!. He is a member of the comedy trio Tito, Vic and Joey that has made several comedy movies and TV shows. As a songwriter, de Leon has penned songs including "Ipagpatawad Mo", "Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko", "Boyfriend kong Baduy", "Iskul Bukol".

Erich Gonzales

Erika Chryselle Gonzales Gancayco, more commonly known as Erich Gonzales, is a Filipina actress, host, and model and is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. She started her showbiz career at the age of 14, when she joined as a contestant of the reality talent search Star Circle Quest. Her popularity boomed after her lead role in the TV series Katorse.

Pauleen Luna

Pauleen Marie Javier Luna is a Filipina actress and television personality. She appears on the GMA Network, particularly as one of the regular hosts of the long-running Philippine variety show Eat Bulaga! where she portrays the humorous child-woman character Baby Poleng.

Hip hop Artist

Aristotle Pollisco, known by his stage name Gloc-9, is an Awit Award-winning Filipino rapper. His fast-flowing vocal style has made him one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the Philippines. He was described by fellow Filipino rapper Francis Magalona as "a blacksmith of words and letters, and a true Filipino poet." He has collaborated on almost a dozen songs with other OPM artists; “Lando” with the late Francis M, “Upuan” with Jaezelle, “Bagsakan” with Parokya ni Edgar and Francis M, and “Sari-Saring Kwento” with Noel Cabangon and Champ Lui Pio. His songs mostly tackle social issues such as social injustices, poverty and patriotism. He began his musical career with the gangsta rap group Death Threat. Gloc-9 is notably one of the few artists in the Philippine music scene who has won every award he has been nominated for.

Jayson Castro

Basketball Player

Jayson Castro William, better known as Jayson Castro, is a Filipino basketball player. He played for the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Philippine Basketball League teams Hapee-PCU Teeth Protectors and Harbour Centre Batang Pier. He was supposed to be the first Filipino to play in Australia's National Basketball League for the Singapore Slingers, but the team withdrew from the league before the start of the season. He now plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Apolinario Mabini

Apolinario Mabini y Maranan was a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who served as its first prime minister until May 1899. In Philippine history texts, he is often referred to as "the Sublime Paralytic", and as "the Brains of the Revolution." To his enemies and detractors, he is referred to as the "Dark Chamber of the President."

John Carlo de Vera, better known by his screen name J.C. de Vera, is a Filipino actor and model.

Iza Calzado

Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado is a Filipina actress, TV host and model, who previously worked as one of GMA-7's homegrown contract artists. After ten years, Iza signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Iza also signed a non-exclusive contract with Star Cinema.

Julie Pearl Apostol Postigo, better known by her stage name Julie Vega, was a Filipina child actress, singer and commercial model. She remains very popular and well loved in her native Philippines, years after her sudden death at the age of 16 that triggered a massive outpouring of nationwide grief that is still vividly remembered by Filipino showbiz fans today. She won two FAMAS Awards for Best Child Actress during her brief showbiz career. Vega, who was named after her own parents, was born at the UERM in Quezon City, Philippines to a devout Roman Catholic family and is the youngest and only girl in a brood of six children of dentists Julio Postigo from Zamboanga del Sur and the former Perla Apostol from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. This fact led her family to nickname her Darling and Tata. She inherited her mestiza looks from her Irish American paternal grandmother, the former Aurora Fort, who came to the Philippines at a young age with her father, the American General Guy O. Fort. She would go on to later marry Filipino General Leon Postigo. Her older brothers are James, Jeffrey, Jonathan, Joseph, and Jerry.

Bong Revilla

Ramón Bong Revilla, Jr., is a Filipino actor, television presenter, politician, and Senator of Philippines. In 2009, he legally changed his last name to Bong Revilla.

Enchong Dee

Ernest Lorenzo Velasquez Dee, known as Enchong Dee is a Filipino TV and movie actor, model, and swimmer. Dee is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. He came to prominence after starring in his first major TV drama Katorse. He the role of "Luis" in the Filipino remake Maria La Del Barrio. He also starred in Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and Muling Buksan Ang Puso He is the younger brother of actor and model, AJ Dee.

Aeign Zackrey Nash Victoriano Aguas, known simply as Nash Aguas, is a Filipino actor. He made his television debut at the age of five on the noontime variety show, MTB after joining the program's Batang F4 contest. In 2004, Aguas joined ABS-CBN's talent search Star Circle Quest, where he won the title Grand Kid Questor and also won most of the special awards including Darling of the Press in the Finals Night. He was also paired up with Sharlene San Pedro in the love team NashLene found by Sandara Park that is an actress and a model 2013

Tom Rodriguez

Bartolome Alberto Mott, better known asTom Rodriguez is a Filipino-American actor and reality TV contestant. He is known for being on Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up and his roles in Be Careful With My Heart and Temptation Island. He is currently starring as Vincent Soriano in My Husband's Lover on GMA Network.

Ama Quiambao

Ama Quiambao is an actress.

Raymond Bagatsing

Raymond Bagatsing is a Filipino actor and model.

• Famous Comedians from Philippines
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• Famous Composers from Philippines
• Famous Economists from Philippines
• Famous Filipino Chefs & Top Chefs from the Phil...
• Famous Film Directors from The Philippines
• Famous Actors from The Philippines
• Famous Coaches from Philippines
• Famous Authors from Philippines
• Famous Artists from The Philippines

Famous People From Philippines

The Philippines, an archipelago nation in Southeast Asia, has produced many individuals who gained worldwide recognition across various fields, from sports to the entertainment industry to the realm of politics.These celebrities born in the Philippines have captured international attention.  

This roster of famous Filipinos comprises elite sportsmen, versatile entertainers, and influential politicians. Take for instance Manny Pacquiao - a boxing champion who rose from humble beginnings to dominate his sport. He also ventured into politics and now serves as a senator in his homeland. In the world of Hollywood, Lou Diamond Phillips starred in a wide range of film and television projects that have garnered critical acclaim over the years. Let's not forget Lea Salonga either - her voice earned her prestigious awards for her performances on Broadway stages as well as Disney animated films . And lastly, Imelda Marcos's controversial tenure as First Lady of the Philippines puts her in the history books. Each of these famous people from the Philippines made an impact on the world.  

These notable Filipinos each demonstrated an impressive dedication to success. They pave the way for future generations to dream big and strive for greatness. They each contributed to shaping today's world. 

Lou Diamond Phillips

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Imelda Marcos

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Angel Locsin

Julia Montes

Kathryn Bernardo

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III

Dawn Zulueta

Barbie Forteza

Richard Gordon

Joseph Estrada

Billy Crawford

Aurora Quezon

BB Gandanghari

Julio Nalundasan

Fernando Lopez

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Antonio Luna

Loren Legarda

Isabel Preysler

Corazon Aquino

Nina Girado

Aljur Abrenica

Pres Romanillos

Eileen tabios.

Francis Magalona

Karel Marquez

Heherson alvarez.

Bianca Gonzalez

• Philippines

7 Famous Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Visited The Philippines

We Filipinos have been known for our hospitality, so much so that we were ranked 8th in the list of world’s friendliest countries in 2011 (HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey).

Our ancestors were equally friendly to their guests: Filipinos from yesteryear were always thrilled whenever famous foreign personalities chose to have a brief stopover here.

Let’s take a look back at some of the most unforgettable historical icons you didn’t know once set foot on Philippine soil:

Also Read:  8 Famous Filipino Events You Didn’t Know Influenced The World

1. Ernest Hemingway.

Who is he? Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. A correspondent who served both in WWI and WWII, Hemingway would later pen the 1951 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel  The Old Man and the Sea . A few years after being conferred the Nobel Prize in Literature, Hemingway died by his own hand in 1961.

The Visit: In 1941, Hemingway was on a scheduled trip to China to attend his journalistic duties. He flew to Hong Kong via Pan Am Clipper from San Francisco, making an overnight stop in Guam and a longer stopover in Manila.

During their brief visit in the Philippines, Hemingway and his third wife Martha Gellhorn stayed at the Manila Hotel. The famed journalist was said to be impressed by the place that he would later declare  “If the story’s any good, it’s like Manila Hotel.”  It was also in this building where Hemingway met with some of the members of the Philippine Writers League led by Federico Mangahas (see photo above).

Related Article:  12 Random Facts About Manila That Will Blow Your Mind

However, Hemingway allegedly despised Manila and was basically drunk throughout his five-day visit. He was also reportedly irked by people who kept talking to him about  For Whom the Bell Toll s (also his novel), so much so that he told his wife to go somewhere where no one reads books in English.

2. Anna May Wong.

Who is she? Hollywood aficionados remember Anna May Wong as the first Chinese American movie star and also the first Asian American actress to dominate the international scene. Despite Hollywood being plagued by racism, Wong was able to stand out and star in dozens of films, the most famous of which was  Shanghai Express  opposite the legendary Marlene Dietrich.

The Visit: After losing a major movie role, the disappointed Anna May Wong headed to China for a year-long trip in 1936. Before going to their ancestral home in Taishan to visit her family, Wong briefly stayed in the Philippines to “escape the spring chill in Hong Kong, where she had caught the flu.”

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In Manila, the actress reportedly dined with none other than President Manuel L. Quezon and the who’s who of the city’s elite, among them Nicasio Osmeña, son of a future Philippine president, and Conchita Sunico, who was crowned Miss Philippines in the 1935 Manila Carnival. After recovering from the flu, Wong returned to China for their family reunion.

3. Edward, Prince of Wales.

Who is he? Edward was the Prince of Wales who, upon his father’s death in 1936, would rule the United Kingdom as King Edward VIII. His term was littered with controversies, culminating to his decision to give up the throne to marry the woman he loved–an American divorcée named Wallis Simpson. After his abdication, Edward became the Duke of Windsor.

Recommended Article:  The 6 Most Tragic Love Stories in Philippine History

The Visit:  From October 1921 to June 1922, Prince Edward visited several countries as part of his “ Oriental Grand Tour.”  The Philippines was included in his itinerary, the announcement of which sent everyone in Manila into a frenzy. After all, it was the first time that an heir to the British throne would visit the country.

The British royalty arrived in Manila on May 13, 1922, through the  HMS Renown . As reported by  The Times in London,  “the batteries of Fort Santiago roared a Royal welcome and the guns of the Renown responded.” 

A lunch in his honor was prepared at the Malacañang Palace where he was welcomed by Governor-General Wood and General Wright. His most memorable event in the capital city, however, was when he sustained a minor wound over his right eyebrow while playing polo at the Manila Polo Club.

4. Indira Gandhi.

Who is she? Indira Gandhi  was India’s third prime minister who served three consecutive terms. The daughter of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, she became known for her agricultural reforms and authoritarian policies.  Indira’s clash with Sikh extremists ultimately led to her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.

The Visit: In October 1981, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made an official visit to the Philippines and Indonesia, both members of the ASEAN. She was welcomed in Manila by then-President Ferdinand Marcos, who prepared welcome remarks highlighting the diplomatic ties between their countries, and First Lady Imelda Marcos, who hosted a lunch in her honor.

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When asked during a press conference whether India would join ASEAN when invited, Prime Minister Gandhi said:  “Well, I do not think I can give an answer to that now. But I can say that our relationship with the individual countries of ASEAN has improved. And we want to improve it further.”

5. Robert Ripley.

Who is he? Once dubbed as the “Modern Marco Polo,” Robert L. Ripley was the genius behind the legendary  Ripley’s Believe It or Not!  His fascination for all things odd and creepy brought him to 201 countries where he collected some of the most unusual artifacts the world could offer. A talented cartoonist, amateur anthropologist, and an explorer way ahead of his time, Ripley died of heart attack in 1949.

The Visit:  Unknown to many, Ripley visited the Philippines twice: first was in the early 1930s, followed by a tour in Corregidor after WWII.

During his first visit, Ripley was photographed at the Malacañang Palace while being entertained by then Governor General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. He also visited the Paco cemetery which he described as one of the world’s most unique cemeteries because it “is built in the form of two huge concentric rings, in the walls of which are niches where the dead are interred…..most are now empty and open, indicating either poverty or forgetfulness on the part of the living relatives.”

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He came back to Manila after WWII, this time for a guided tour in Corregidor Island–specifically the Malinta Tunnel–which was previously used as Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters. Witnessing firsthand the extent of damage done in Manila by the Japanese, Ripley shared his experience the very next day through his radio show.

6. Robert F. Kennedy.

Who is he? Robert “Bobby” Kennedy is the younger brother of US President John F. Kennedy whose assassination in 1963 shocked the whole world. He was attorney general during JFK’s administration and later became a senator after his brother’s death. Nominated to run in the 1968 presidential elections, Senator Kennedy would have been a strong contender had his life not cut short (again, by assassination.)

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The Visit:  In 1964, at the request of then President Johnson, Attorney General Robert Kennedy made a “peace-making trip” to Asia to help settle the dispute involving Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A few days before his third meeting with Indonesia’s Sukarno, Kennedy went to the Philippines to meet with then-President Diosdado Macapagal.

Upon his arrival in Manila, however, the politician was lost in a  “swell of adulation.”  Accompanied by Ambassador William E. Stevenson, Kennedy would plant a tree in memory of his brother, receive an honorary degree, and visit a girls’ school where he was welcomed by “cheering, jumping girl students.”  Such was his popularity that Stevenson remarked,  “Why, this is better than bringing Elvis Presley here.”

7. Charles Lindbergh.

Who is he?  Lindbergh became TIME’s first “Man of the Year” for making history as the first pilot to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. His feat would become the inspiration behind the 1937 fateful flight of Amelia Earhart, whom the press described as his female counterpart. A very private man, Lindbergh had been a recluse before reemerging in his later years as an advocate for environmental causes.

READ:  5 Awesome Philippine Heroes Who Are Not Filipinos

The Visit:  Lindbergh, who once said  “I would rather have birds than airplanes,”  dedicated his last years to support various conservationist causes. In fact, he became instrumental in protecting Indonesia’s rhinoceros and Peru’s blue and humpback whales from extinction.

In 1969, after being told of the plight of the almost-extinct  tamaraw  and the  Philippine eagle,  Lindbergh visited the Philippines which he described as “one of the last frontiers of conservation.”  Upon his arrival, Lindbergh worked with then-President Marcos and the country’s leading conservationist leaders in establishing a national sanctuary for the critically endangered animals.

Lindbergh also visited different aboriginal tribes in the country, including Palawan’s Batak people who even invited him to be a sponsor at a tribal wedding.

Biography.com,. Ernest Hemingway Biography . Retrieved 10 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/5Hrcpi

Buan, L. (2012). PHL world’s 8th friendliest country for expats, survey says . GMA News Online . Retrieved 10 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/5q3Lx7

Chan, A. (2007). Perpetually Cool: The Many Lives of Anna May Wong (1905-1961) (p. 123). Scarecrow Press.

Chicago Tribune,. (1964). Kennedy Asks Sukarno Halt Malaysia Row, p. 4. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/jBJTaf

Indira Gandhi Biography,. Biography.com . Retrieved 11 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/fsRR3V

Monteiro, G. (2010). “Just the Little Things”: Newly Discovered Sources for Hemingway’s 1941 Manila Stay. The Hemingway Review , 30 (1), 165-167.

Nanda, P. (2003). Rediscovering Asia: Evolution of India’s Look-east Policy (p. 227). Lancer Publishers.

North, M. (1999). Reading 1922: A Return to the Scene of the Modern . Oxford University Press.

Ocampo, A. (2004). Royalty in Manila. Philippine Daily Inquirer , p. A15. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/S64cTs

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,. Welcome Remarks of President Marcos during the State Visit of Premier Indira Gandhi, October 8, 1981 . Retrieved 11 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/oDmwrM

Ripley, R. (1936). The Incredible “Believe It or Not!”. Popular Mechanics Magazine , (2), 222. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/TmgR91

Ripleys.com,. The Iconic Mr. Ripley . Retrieved 11 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/xCvFvR

Thimmesch, N., & Johnson, W. (1965). Robert Kennedy at 40 (p. 144). W.W. Norton.

Thompson, N. (2013). A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert “Believe It or Not!” Ripley (pp. 329-330). Crown/Archetype.

TIME,. Person of the Year: A Photo History . Retrieved 16 August 2015, from http://goo.gl/d15Vur

Whitman, A. (1969). Lindbergh Traveling Widely as Conservationist. The New York Times . Retrieved from https://goo.gl/VJPWY9

Written by FilipiKnow

in Facts & Figures , History & Culture

Last Updated January 21, 2022 01:30 PM

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Biography Online

List of Top 100 Famous People

A list of famous people, chosen mainly from the nineteenth, twentieth or twenty-first centuries. This list includes famous actors, politicians, entrepreneurs, writers, artists and humanitarians.

• Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962) American actress, singer, model
• Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) US President during American civil war
• Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)  South African President anti-apartheid campaigner
• Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – 2022) British monarch since 1954
• John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) US President 1961 – 1963
• Martin Luther King (1929 – 1968)  American civil rights campaigner
• Winston Churchill (1874 –  1965 ) British Prime Minister during WWII
• Donald Trump (1946 – ) Businessman, US President.
• Bill Gates (1955 – ) American businessman, founder of Microsoft
• Muhammad Ali (1942 – 2016) American Boxer and civil rights campaigner
• Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) Leader of Indian independence movement
• Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997) Macedonian Catholic missionary nun
• Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506) Italian explorer
• Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) British scientist, theory of evolution
• Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977) American musician
• Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955) German scientist, theory of relativity
• Paul McCartney (1942 – ) British musician, member of Beatles
• Queen Victoria ( 1819 – 1901) British monarch 1837 – 1901
• Pope Francis (1936 – ) First pope from the Americas
• Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 – 1964) Indian Prime Minister 1947 – 1964
• Leonardo da Vinci ( 1452 – 1519) Italian, painter, scientist, polymath
• Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) Dutch artist
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) US President 1932 – 1945
• Pope John Paul II (1920 – 2005) Polish Pope
• Thomas Edison ( 1847 – 1931) American inventor
• Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005)  American civil rights activist
• Lyndon Johnson (1908 – 1973) US President 1963 – 1969
• Ludwig Beethoven (1770 – 1827) German composer
• Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) American TV presenter, actress, entrepreneur
• Indira Gandhi (1917 – 1984) Prime Minister of India 1966 – 1977
• Eva Peron (1919 – 1952) First Lady of Argentina 1946 – 1952
• Benazir Bhutto (1953 – 2007) Prime Minister of Pakistan 1993 – 1996
• George Orwell (1903 – 1950) British author
• Vladimir Putin (1952 – ) Russian leader
• Dalai Lama (1938 – ) Spiritual and political leader of Tibetans
• Walt Disney (1901 – 1966) American film producer
• Neil Armstrong (1930 – 2012) US astronaut
• Peter Sellers (1925 – 1980) British actor and comedian
• Barack Obama (1961 – ) US President 2008 – 2016
• Malcolm X (1925 – 1965) American Black nationalist leader
• J.K.Rowling (1965 – ) British author
• Richard Branson (1950 – ) British entrepreneur
• Pele (1940 – ) Brazilian footballer, considered greatest of 20th century.
• Angelina Jolie (1975 – ) Actress, director, humanitarian
• Jesse Owens (1913 – 1980) US track athlete, 1936 Olympics
• John Lennon (1940 – 1980) British musician, member of the Beatles
• Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) US Industrialist
• Haile Selassie (1892 – 1975) Emperor of Ethiopia 1930 – 1974
• Joseph Stalin (1879 – 1953) Leader of Soviet Union 1924 – 1953
• Lord Baden Powell (1857 – 1941) British Founder of scout movement
• Michael Jordan (1963 – ) US Basketball star
• Vladimir Lenin (1870 – 1924) Leader of Russian Revolution 1917
• Ingrid Bergman (1915 – 1982) Swedish actress
• Fidel Castro (1926 – ) President of Cuba 1976 – 2008
• Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910) Russian author and philosopher
• Greta Thunberg (2003 – ) Environmentalist activist)
• Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) Spanish modern artist
• Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) Irish author, poet, playwright
• Coco Chanel (1883 – 1971) French fashion designer
• Charles de Gaulle (1890 – 1970) French resistance leader and President 1959 – 1969
• Amelia Earhart ( 1897 – 1937) Aviator
• John M Keynes (1883 – 1946) British economist
• Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895) French chemist and microbiologist
• Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – ) Leader of Soviet Union 1985 – 1991
• Plato (423 BC – 348 BC) Greek philosopher
• Adolf Hitler (1889 – 1945) leader of Nazi Germany 1933 – 1945
• Sting (1951 – ) British musician
• Elon Musk (1971 – ) Business magnate, and entrepreneur.
• Mary Magdalene (4 BCE – 40CE) devotee of Jesus Christ
• Alfred Hitchcock (1899 – 1980) English / American film producer, director
• Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009) American musician
• Madonna (1958 – ) American musician, actress, author
• Mata Hari (1876 – 1917) Dutch exotic dancer, executed as spy
• Cleopatra (69 – 30 BCE) Queen of Egypt
• Grace Kelly (1929 – 1982) American actress, Princess of Monaco\
• Malala Yousafzai  (1997 – ) Pakistani human rights activist
• Steve Jobs (1955 – 2012) co-founder of Apple computers
• Ronald Reagan (1911 – 2004) US President 1981-1989
• Lionel Messi (1987 – ) Argentinian footballer
• Babe Ruth (1895 – 1948) American baseball player
• Bob Geldof (1951 – ) Irish musician, charity worker
• Roger Federer (1981 – ) Swiss Tennis player
• Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) Austrian psychoanalyst
• Woodrow Wilson (1856 – 1924) US president 1913 – 1921
• Mao Zedong (1893 – 1976) Leader of Chinese Communist revolution
• Katherine Hepburn (1907 – 2003) American actress
• Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993) British actress and humanitarian
• David Beckham (1975 – )  English footballer
• Tiger Woods (1975 – ) American golfer
• Usain Bolt (1986 – ) Jamaican athlete and Olympian
• Carl Lewis (1961 – ) US athlete and Olympian
• Prince Charles (1948 – )  Heir to British throne
• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 – 1994) American wife of JF Kennedy
• Joe Biden (1942 – ) US President
• Kim Kardashian (1980 – ) American socialiate
• C.S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) British author
• Billie Holiday (1915 – 1959) American jazz singer
• J.R.R. Tolkien (1892 – 1973) British author
• Billie Jean King (1943 – ) American tennis player and human rights activist
• Margaret Thatcher (1925 – 2013) British Prime Minister 1979 – 1990

More famous people

• Anne Frank (1929 – 1945) Dutch Jewish author who died in Holocaust
• Simon Bolivar (1783 – 1830) Venezuelan independence activist in South America.
• Marie Antoinette (1755 – 1793) French Queen, executed during the French revolution
• Cristiano Ronaldo  (1985 – ) Portuguese footballer.
• Emmeline Pankhurst  (1858 – 1928) English suffragette.
• Emile Zatopek  (1922 – 2000) Czech athlete
• Desmond Tutu (1931 – 2021) South African Bishop and opponent of apartheid
• Lech Walesa  (1943 – ) Polish leader of Solidarity movement
• Julie Andrews  (1935 – ) British singer, actress
• Florence Nightingale  (1820 – 1910) British nurse
• Marie Curie  (1867 – 1934) Polish / French scientist
• Stephen Hawking (1942 – ) British scientist
• Tim Berners Lee (1955 – ) English creator of World Wide Web
• Aung San Suu Kyi (1945 – ) Burmese opposition leader
• Lance Armstrong (1971 – ) American cyclist
• Shakira  (1977 – ) Colombian singer
• Jon Stewart (1962 – ) American comedian
• Wright Brothers   Orville (1871 – 1948) and Wilbur (1867 – 1912) American inventors, aviation pioneers
• Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961) American author
• Roman Abramovich (1966 – ) Russian oligarch
• Tom Cruise (1962 – ) American actor
• Rupert Murdoch (1931 – ) Media owner of News Corporation
• Al Gore (1948 – ) US presidential candidate and environmental campaigner
• Sacha Baron Cohen (1971 – ) English comedian
• George Clooney (1961 – ) American actor and political activist
• Paul Krugman  (1953 – ) American Nobel Prize winning economist
• Jimmy Wales (1966 – ) American creator of Wikipedia
• Brad Pitt (1963 – ) Actor
• Kylie Minogue (1968 – ) Australian singer and actress
• Stephen King (1947 – ) American author

More Famous people

Famous historical figures : A list of famous people throughout the ages, which includes people from ancient civilisations to the present.

Famous People Through History

• Famous people of the Renaissance (14th – 15th Century)
• Famous people of the Enlightenment (late 17th Century)
• Famous Victorians (1832 – 1901)
• Famous people of the Nineteenth Century
• Famous people of Edwardian period (1901 – 1914)
• Famous people of Inter-war period (1918 – 1939)
• Twenty-first Century

Famous by Nationality

• Bangladesh i

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Top 100 Famous People”, Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net , 31/01/2016. Last updated 28 Sep 2019.

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Famous People by Category

• Charity workers
• Entrepreneurs
• Great thinkers
• Famous leaders
• Military leaders
• People who built America
• People who changed the world
• People who fought for human rights
• Philanthropists
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