MANILA, Philippines--The Philippines is a familial nation. So, it isn’t surprising when we get ecstatic when one of our own succeeds in the international arena. Never mind if that success comes in the realm of sports, art, beauty pageants or performance, we experience singular joy when our kababayans make a mark in foreign lands. We rejoice as if it was our relative who achieved that success.

In 1964, Gemma Cruz was the talk of the town when she captured the first of our four Miss International crowns. Naturally, the tall mestiza Aurora Pijuan became everybody’s beloved AuAu when she brought home the second crown from the same pageant, followed by Melanie (Marquez) and, most recently, Lara (Quigaman).

Starring role

Our first Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz, became known as the smart Gloria, while Margie Roxas Moran, our second Miss U titleholder, became simply Margie—especially after her debut starring role in “Oh, Margie Oh!” Before we had those top winners, we were content with the beautiful runner-up named Lalaine.

Manny Pacquiao, the current holder of four boxing world crowns, is simply known as Pacman in the four corners of the archipelago—and even his mother, Dionisia, has become a household name.

We talk about just Lea, especially after the bell-voiced Salonga conquered West End and Broadway. And, she has become a cultural icon after winning the Tony and Olivier Awards. Charice (Pempengco) has become known here after she won the admiration of Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.

We’re also tickled pink when our kababayans marry international celebrities: Manila’s elite remembers Isabel Preysler—a popular Manila debutante who flew to Madrid to study and later met and married popular balladeer, Julio Iglesias.

The stunning mestiza was soon cited as one of the most beautiful and best-dressed women in Spain. After she divorced Iglesias, she married into Spanish royalty and continues to be in the news as one of Madrid’s most photographed socialites. She is the mother of singing heartthrob, Enrique Iglesias.

Comedies

Academy Award winner William Holden was married to Brenda Marshall, a mestiza born in Negros Occidental. Lou Diamond Phillips calls his Filipino mother, Nanay. Tia Carrere is part Filipina, and Rob Schneider includes his Pinoy mother in his screen comedies.

The very first Miss Universe, Finland’s Armi Kuusela, married the Jaguar-driving Columbia University-schooled Virgilio Hilario, while the first Miss International, Colombia’s Stella Marquez, married an Araneta scion, Jorge.

British royalty

Not too long ago, it was reported that a rather reticent Filipina married into British royalty, but she’d rather lead a life away from the media and continues to shun publicity.

Loida Nicolas, a UP Law alumna, married Reginald Lewis, reportedly the most successful African-American businessman when he was alive. The migration lawyer continues to be a significant presence in relevant Philippine projects, while running her late husband’s multinational company.