Gelli De Belen

Gelli de Belen
AKA Anna Gianelli de Belen-Rivera

• 1st Filipina to record a rap track in Tagalog - "Mr. DJ" (1990)

QUOTE
"Focus on your craft not your press releases. Be respectful and considerate."

ALIAS
"Gelli"


DATE OF BIRTH
May 25, 1973

BIRTHPLACE
Metro Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Philip
MOTHER: Susan

HUSBAND: Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera
SONS: Joaquin Andres and Julio Alessandro

USEFUL LINKS

iGMA.tv Celebrity Profile: Gelli De Belen
Gelli de Belen's life as a married woman
History of Pinoy Rap

Nora Aunor

Nora Aunor
AKA Nora Cabaltera Villamayor

• 1st and only Filipina actress included in the highly esteemed Cultural Center of the Philippines "Centennial Honor for the Arts" (1999)
• 1st and only Filipina actress featured in an HBO documentary on the lives and accomplishments of the world's greatest actresses (1997)
• 1st Filipina actress to become a juror in Hawaii’s International Film Festival (1996)
• 1st Filipina to win an international Best Actress award at the Cairo Film Festival (1995)
• 1st youngest Filipina recipient of the Film Academy of the Philippines "Lifetime Achievement Award" (1993)
• 1st Filipina to win Actress of the Year in the Star Awards for Movies (1985)
• 1st Filipina actress to receive the prestigious "Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service" Award (TOWNS 1983)
• 1st and only Filipina actress nominated in the Top-Tier International Film Festival for the movie "Himala" (Berlin 1983)
• 1st Filipina actress to win the "Best Performer" award (1978)
• 1st Filipina to win Best Actress in the Gawad Urian Awards (1976)

ALIAS
"Ate Guy"
"Superstar"
"Lady with the Golden Voice"

DATE OF BIRTH
May 21, 1953

BIRTHPLACE
Iriga, Camarines Sur, Philippines

EX-HUSBAND: Christopher de Leon
CHILDREN: Ian, Matet, Lotlot (adopted)

USEFUL LINKS

Nora Aunor: The Official Website of the One and Only
Wikipedia article on Nora Aunor
Nora Aunor at 53: Life story continues
Nora Aunor's Honor
Nora pleads guilty to US drug charge

Myla Villanueva

Myla Villanueva
AKA Myla Crespo Villanueva

• 1st Filipina to win the Woman Entrepreneur Award (2003)
• Co-founder of Meridian Telekoms Inc. (1998)
• Co-founder of Microwarehouse (1995)

QUOTE

"The success of our group of IT companies lies not only in our choice of people but by the technology choices that our people make. We have never been afraid to spot an emerging technology, apply it to real world needs, and take it to mainstream daily corporate or personal use."


FATHER: Mark Jimenez
MOTHER: Ma. Aleli P. Crespo

USEFUL LINKS

Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2004
Woman Entrepreneur 2003
Discontent at Meridian Telekoms

Rosa del Rosario

Rosa del Rosario
AKA Rose Stagner

• 1st Filipina-American to portray Darna, the first female superhero in Philippine cinema (1951)

QUOTE
"I have a very positive outlook in life. I was never negative. I tried not to let anything bother me. I feel like it's a short time we have on earth, why make it miserable."

ALIAS
"Prewar Queen of the Philippine Movies"
"Manila's Golden Age Movie Queen"
"Grandma Darna"


DATE OF BIRTH
December 15, 1919

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines


FATHER: Frank Stagner
MOTHER: Agustina del Rosario

HUSBAND: John Samit
CHILDREN: Geraldine and Teresa (Terry)


YEAR OF DEATH
2006

USEFUL LINKS
The Prewar Queen of Philippines Movies
Rosa del Rosario: Star of unfading luster
Ani' Awards pays tribute to culture greats
Rosa del Rosario Darna Gallery
Rosa del Rosario Interview

Jennylyn Mercado

Jennylyn Mercado
AKA Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado

• 1st Filipina "Hottest Actress" in the first Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards (2011)
• 1st Filipina StarStruck Ultimate Survivor (2003)

QUOTE

"Strive hard, persevere, always ask for the guidance of the Lord plus be nice to all and LOVE your work."


ALIAS
"Jen"
"Jenny"

DATE OF BIRTH
May 15, 1987

BIRTHPLACE
Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Noli Pineda
MOTHER: Jinkee

ADOPTIVE MOTHER: Lydia

EX-PARTNER: Patrick Garcia
SON: Alex Jazz (AJ)

USEFUL LINKS

GMA Celebrity Profile: Jennylyn Mercado
Jennylynmprofile.blogspot.com
Jennylynm.blogspot.comShalani, Shamcey, Piolo, Jennylyn top OMG! Awards
Is Jennylyn Mercado ready to let go?
Jennylyn Mercado Bats for Battered Kids
Jennylyn Mercado plays most challenging role in 'Blue Moon'
Jennylyn Mercado: 'Living the Dream'
Wikipedia Article on Jennylyn Mercado

Maureen Marcelo

Maureen Marcelo

• 1st Filipina Philippine Idol winner (2006)

QUOTE
"I can't believe in lucky charm, I believe in the power of GOD alone."

ALIAS
"Mau"
"Lovely"
"Samantha Brown"
"Soul Idol"

DATE OF BIRTH
May 15, 1980


FATHER: Romulo Marcelo
MOTHER: Teresita

USEFUL LINKS

Philippine Idol Contestant: Maureen Marcelo
First RP Idol named tonight
Lucena City gives all-out support for Philippine Idol bet
Emotions Run High On Philippine Idol

Hanna Lea Alerta

Hanna Lea Alerta
AKA Hanna Lea Lusuegro Alerta

1st Filipina to graduate from the prestigious US Naval Academy in Annapolis

QUOTE

“…I owe Philippine Navy eight years of service and I am considering joining the Intelligence community. I love monkeys and of course bananas. I don't eat yogurt, cinnamon and cheese. I think the Americans are funny.”


DATE OF BIRTH
1981

BIRTHPLACE
Digos, Davao del Sur, Philippines

FATHER: Vergilio Alerta
MOTHER: Lucia Lusuegro

USEFUL LINKS

Hanna Lea Lusuegro Alerta, Philippines
Annapolis, MD: She Wants To Be The First Pinay Navy Admiral
United States Naval Academy
The Official Website of the Philippine Navy

Cecile Licad

Cecile Licad
AKA Cecile Buencamino Licad-Meneses


1st Filipina musician to receive the prestigious Leventritt Gold Medal (1981)

QUOTE
“I have nothing but my art and my music. They are my real wealth.”


DATE OF BIRTH
May 11, 1961

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Dr. Jesus Licad
MOTHER: Rosario Buencamino

Ex-HUSBAND: Antonio Meneses
SON: Otavio

USEFUL LINKS

Cecile Licad survives cancer scare
It’s in the arts that Filipinos excel
Critics find superlatives not enough to describe Licad
On the trail of Cecile Licad
Crazy over Cecile
Cellist and Pianist

Dr. Lilian V. Lee

Dr. Lilian V. Lee

• 1st Filipina pediatric neurologist
• 1st Filipina President of the Child Neurology Society, Philippines, Inc. (1993)
• Discovered the causes of a brain disorder known as Recessive Dystonia Parkinsonism

USEFUL LINKS

The First Ladies of Philippine Medicine
The Philippine Neurological Association History
NRCP Honors Top 11 Filipino Scientists