Can you gauge influence with popularity? It’s amazing how we take pride when a kababayan becomes famous (in a positive way, that is). With popularity comes influence. Agree? It’s like the popularized ‘with-power-comes-great-responsibility’ quote from Spiderman.
I’ll try to list down the names of these famous Batangueños who left a mark in their chosen endeavor. If in case you know someone deserving to be on the list, let us know.
From the Pages of Philippine History
Apolinario Mabini – the Sublime Paralytic and Brain of the Revolution
Marcela Agoncillo – one of the women who made the Philippine flag
Miguel Malvar – a notable Filipino General during the Philippine-American war
Teodoro M. Kalaw – an outstanding writer and historian
Claro M. Recto – a politician, a jurist, and a literary writer
Jose P. Laurel – the third President of the Republic of the Philippines
Segunda Katigbak – Dr. Jose Rizal’s first love
Public Servants
Jejomar Binay – our current Vice President’s father, Diego Medrano Binay, hails from the municipality of Bauan
Ralph Recto – Senator and the better half of Batangas Governor and Star for All Season, Vilma Santos-Recto
Salvador Laurel – Vice President to President Corazon Aquino
Renato de Villa – Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the Aquino administration
Eduardo Ermita – Executive Secretary of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Leandro Mendoza – Department of Transportation and Communication
Secretary of the Arroyo administration
Hernando Perez – became Secretary of the Department of Justice also in the Arroyo administration
The Musicians
Maestro Ryan Cayabyab a.k.a Mr. C – I did not know he’s a Batangueño, but he is
Ogie Alcasid – we all know he’s a native of Taal. He’s probably one of the most famous Batangueños in the Philippine entertainment industry as he belongs to the array of the country’s best music performers, composers, and comedians.
Jovit Baldivino – currently the most popular Batangueño talent as he became the first Pilipinas Got Talent grand champion
Franco Laurel – a well-known musical play artist
Francis Reyes – lead guitarist, The Dawn
Darius Semaña – lead guitarist, Parokya ni Edgar
The Fashionista
Renee Salud – one of the country’s stellar fashion designer from San Juan
Gem of the Philippine Literature
Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera – National Artist for Literature, 2006
The Stars
Ai-Ai Delas Alas – the Comedy Concert Queen hails from San Luis
Ryan Agoncillo – the award-winning host and actor is a scion of Marcella Agoncillo
Zanjoe Marudo – a ramp model who started out as a Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition housemate and is now one of ABS-CBN’s leading male actors
Jayson Gainza – also a PBB alumnus, he is now among the favorite Kapamilya comedians
Denise Laurel – now one of the most in-demand leading ladies of ABS-CBN
Susan Africa – character actress
Leo Martinez – a famous comedian known by his moniker “Don Robert” from his ’90s sitcom, Ober Da Bakod
Marie Lozano – ABS-CBN reporter
Proud to be Batangueño here! keep up the good works guys.
Thank you Sonny! Keep on supporting WOWBatangas 🙂
Proud to be Batangueño here! keep up the good works guys.
Thank you Sonny! Keep on supporting WOWBatangas 🙂
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i dont know if u consider him not famous but i think Teodoro Agoncillio should be in the list, he is a son of lemery batangas(was born there), also Don Felipe Agoncillio (husband of Marcela Agoncillio) he is the 1st ever Diplomat of our country…. and then there are the Diokno’s as well from Gen. Diokno to his son assemblyman Ramon diokno and jose Pepe Diokno (Former senator), to the now more visible former member of Estradas cabinet Benjamin Diokno… yan lang maisio ko sa ngaun im sure marami pa hehe
Thanks for the info…
For musicians, can we include Carol Banawa and Vincent Dapalong? For Stars, we have also Dingdong Dantes and Ahron Villena
This is truly amazing. Iam not a Batangueño but still, Iam a Filipino. Im proud that the people that i admire most are living in the country where i live. I will be more than proud to be a Filipino who cant end the day without laughing or even smiling. AKO AY PILIPINO! TAAS NOO KAHIT KANINO! well, baka gus2 niyong i-check itong video ni bogart that shows talent of the filipinos when it comes to comedy ito po yung link >
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKxncpfZLQc.
From PBA players
L.A Tenorio
Aries Dimaunahan
Eric Camson
We should also mention Raymond Townsend, a first ever Filipino-American NBA player. His mother, Virginia Marella, is a Batangueño and native of Balayan. Also include actor Ahron Villena from San Jose Sico, Batangas City.
Thank you Q. 🙂