You may see the Philippines on the map as a small country but don’t go by its size but how the country is impactful, influential, and has a strong history. The country is the first country in Asia to gain democracy. Filipinos are well known for showcasing talents globally.
There are a lot of famous Filipino personalities, known not only in Asia but in the world. Many are familiar with the names Manny Pacquiao, Ferdinand Marcos, Cory Aquino, Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Lea Salonga, Bella Poarch, Bretman Rock and Charice Pempengco. These people are prominent in different fields.
Filipinos have a lot to offer, may it be in politics, talents, beauty contests, or business. It can be seen that there are a lot of Filipinos who stand out in different aspects of life. I want to share with you the top 15 famous Filipinos in various industries.
- Manny Pacquiao
Widely known as Pacman, Manny Pacquiao was a well-known boxer, politician, and celebrity. Manny is the first and the only eight-division boxing champion in the world. He has a very remarkable story as he rose to fame from being poor into famous in the world.
Pacquiao is very renowned in the Philippines; in fact, so many people idolized him. Fewer crimes are happening during his fights in the record since most Filipinos watch and support his fights. Pacquiao can also be seen in many TV endorsements, movies, music videos, youtube, and many interviews. Three times, he was also titled “Fighter of the Year ” by the “The Ring” magazine.
- Rodrigo Duterte
Rodrigo Duterte is a lawyer and was born in a politically active family in Davao City. He has served as mayor in Davao for six terms, a total of 22 years of service, and the 16th President of the Philippines. Though many would condemn him as a killer and foul-mouthed, many admired him for his leadership and war on drugs.
Rodrigo Duterty is commonly known as Digong. He only likes to hang around with the city toughs to adapt their mannerisms and become street smart. Being in the streets helped him to connect with the masses.
- Jose Rizal
The Philippines’ National Hero is Jose Rizal, a man of solid convictions and a love for the country. Rizal is a multi-faceted person since he is a doctor, writer, and artist. He can speak many languages and be able to learn them in just a short period. Rizal is an eloquent writer and a poet. He is famous for writing the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
He is a well-traveled man and is involved in the Propaganda Movement, joining other Filipinos who seek reform under the Spanish colonization. In his books, he wrote dark aspects of Spanish rule and how they were abusive of the power. Though he is a supporter of peaceful reforms, he was exiled in the country, and later, he was sentenced to death. His writings impacted the Filipino people, and his death fueled the desire of the Filipinos to seek independence.
- Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos was a Filipino politician who became the President of the Philippines for over 21 years. He was born of a lawyer and a politician after which he followed in his footsteps. Marcos was once accused of killing his father’s opponents, and he could defend himself in court and win the case. He also served in an army during the Second World War.
After the war, Marcos joined politics and entered the House of Representatives from Ilocos Norte. In 1965, he was elected the President of the Philippines. In September of 1972, he declared Martial Law and suspended the Presidential Elections. In 1985, many attempted to impeach him for stealing the funds of the government. After the People Power Revolution, he and his family fled to Hawaii.
- Bella Poarch
Bella Poarch is a Filipino- American singer, content creator, and social media influencer. She rose to fame because of her lip-syncing skills and entertaining content on Tik Tok. She became a Tiktok sensation in the year 2020; she has the most liked Tik Tok video.
Aside from being an influencer, Bella Poarch is also a singer. She has a debut single entitled Build a Bitch, and the song was labeled as the biggest Youtube debut in history. She was known internationally for her fun and entertaining video content.
- Pia Wurtzbach
Pia Wurtzbach is the Miss Universe 2015. Pia is a beauty queen, a model, a TV personality, and an actress. When her parents separated, it gave her trauma, and the separation led the family into a financial crisis. Pia found a way to earn income in the entertainment industry and became the breadwinner of her family to help her mom.
During the pageant night of Miss Universe 2015, a controversy happened when Steve Harver misread the Colombian Beauty queen Ariadna Guttierez as the winner. He corrected his mistake and later gave the crown to Pia. After Miss Universe, she made many endorsements and offers and served as a goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS for the Pacific region.
- Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray was the fourth Filipino to win the Miss Universe in 2018. She is a singer, a philanthropist, a model, and a beauty queen. Catriona spent her childhood in Australia, and she began her career after moving to the Philippines. She primarily supported charity and became a volunteer.
Catriona also won the prestigious title when she joined Miss World in 2016. After winning the Miss Universe, she continues doing her philanthropic works and is currently associated with several charitable organizations.
- Lea Salonga
If you are a fan of Aladdin and Mulan, you may be surprised to know that Lea Salonga sang the famous songs in each movie. She was already a singer at an early age, and she played a lead role as Kim in Miss Saigon.
Lea Salonga was the first of Asian descent to play the significant role of Eponine and Fantine in the Les Miserables Musical. Lea was recognized as a Disney Legend for her work with the Walt Disney Company.
- Sandara Park
Sandara Park is a singer, actress, TV host, and a KPop Star. She is considered to be the Youth Fashion Icon in Korea due to her unique dressing style. She is a remarkable artist in Korea and the Philippines.
She collaborated with Korean singers and formed a musical group called 2NE1. SHe used Dara to be her stage name and made a debut, which was all chartbusters.
- Corazon Aquino
Cory Aquino is a homemaker, caring for her family and supporting her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino. When his husband was assassinated, the assassination made the Filipinos to rose a protest leading to the People Power Revolution. The Revolution toppled the 20-year-old Marcos Regime. She became the first woman President of the Republic of the Philippines.
- Charice Pempengco
Charice Pempengco became an internet sensation when her singing video went viral. She rose to fame and became a well-known singer. Due to her talent, she was able to help her family to escape poverty. She was invited to various American TV Shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
She found a mentor in David Foster and was hailed as “The Talented Girl in The World” by Oprah Winfrey. She released numerous albums and performed many concerts, but her career slowly dragged down when she revealed her sexual orientation.
- Kris Aquino
Kris Aquino is a TV host, actress, producer, product endorser, and businesswoman. Kris is the youngest daughter of Cory Aquino and Ninoy Aquino. She was dubbed as the Queen of all Media and hosted many talk shows and game shows. She is a philanthropist and an advocate for lupus awareness, LGBT rights, culture, and art appreciation.
- Bretman Rock
Bretman Rock is a Youtube, Instagram, and Viner Star. He is of high energy and has an unparalleled sense of humor. He is also known for being a talented makeup artist. Bret was born in the Philippines and is currently living with his mom and sister in Hawaii.
- Henry Sy
Henry Sy was a Filipino Billionaire Businessman. HE was born in Fujian, and his family moved to the Philippines when he was 12 years old. When Henry’s family returned to China, he stayed in the Philippines and founded a shoe business called Shoe Mart. Over decades, she owned one of the biggest malls in the country called the SM. He also owns Banco de Oro, the second-largest bank in the country. For 11 years, he was recognized by Forbes as the richest man in the Philippines.
- Manuel Villar
Manny Villar is a Filipino Business Billionaire and a former Politician in the country. Villar was born in one of the low-income families in the country residing at Tondo, Manila. When he graduated from the University of the Philippines, he worked as an accountant and became a financial analyst. He now owns a prominent real estate company. His business career made him one of the billionaires in the country and made him the wealthiest man in the country.
Takeaways
The Filipino people can rise to fame in various endeavors. May it be in sports, business, politics, or the entertainment industry. Talent and skills are innate in every Filipino. That is why there are many well-known Filipino people, known not only in Asia but in the world.