More stars with presidential connections
MANILA, Philippines - In the first part of this column, the showbiz kin - by blood or affinity - of six former Presidents and the incumbent, Noynoy Aquino, were enumerated.
The ex-Presidents in reference are Cory Aquino, Diosdado Macapagal and daughter Gloria, Ferdinand Marcos, Fidel Ramos, and Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
Part 2 of Observer continues to name more celebrities with so-called ''presidential roots,'' starting with the very first President of the Philippine Republic, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
Not really that many. Stage actress-director Joy Virata is married to former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, grandnephew of Aguinaldo.
TV host-newscaster Bernadette Sembrano is married to a great grandson of the general.
In chronological order now:
President Manuel Luis Quezon, whose grandson Ven Avanceña is married to actress Imelda Ilanan.
Another Quezon grandson is former TV host and columnist Manolo Quezon, now a Palace functionary.
President Jose Laurel comes after Quezon. Now, the Laurel clan has a good number of entertainment personalities. Daughter-in-law Celia Diaz Laurel (widow of Vice President Doy Laurel) was a stage actress and movie producer.
The most popular among the Laurels is the multi-talented Cocoy, son of Celia and Doy. Cocoy's sister Iwi sings, while niece Denise acts in ABS-CBN artist productions.
Other Laurels in showbiz: Franco, whose wife is Ayen Munji, former wife of Prince Jeffri of Brunei.
Kenji Motoki (screen name of Chema Laurel Marquez). Rajo Laurel, couturier to stars and other celebrities.
Comedian Noel Trinidad is married to a Laurel, Lally. Their son, Joel Trinidad, is a stage actor.
President Sergio Osmeña. Grandson Sergei Valencia is married to actress and TV host Tina Revilla.
Granddaughter Minnie, international socialite, could be considered showbiz. Remember her catfight with Dewi Sukarno?
President Manuel Roxas. There's a Miss Universe in the Roxas family, Margie R. Moran, a granddaughter.
Incidentally, Margie's grandfather - father side - is Supreme Court Chief Justice Manuel Moran. Talk of pedigree.
Grandson Mar Roxas is married to Korina Sanchez.
President Elpidio Quirino. Cory right away comes to mind. She, of wellness fame, and lately, as Miss World-Philippines franchise holder. A granddaughter.
Kuh Ledesma? Yes, indeed. Her ex-husband, Louie Q. Gonzales, is President Quirino's grandson. They have a daughter, singer Isabella.
President Ramon Magsaysay - beloved man of the masses.
Former Sen. Jun Magsaysay has showbiz links - no matter how remote. He owns cable companies all over the country.
Is the late President related to JB Magsaysay, the guy who joined the ABS-CBN reality show ''Big Brother?''
The late movie writer-PR Ross F. Celino was also related to the former president on his mother side, Del Fierro. He worked at the Palace during the Magsaysay administration.
President Carlos Garcia. Jun Polistico is from Bohol, where Garcia came from. The President's middle name was Polistico. Jun inherited the dark complexion of the Garcias of Bohol.
So there. All the Presidents' men and women.
Observer must have omitted some names but welcomes more presidential kin from readers.
Ronald Constantino, a stalwart in entertainment journalism, has been covering show business since the mid-1960s. He served as two-term president of the Philippine Movie Press Club in the '70s.
