Priscilla Marie S.

Villar February 3, 2023

ACTIVITY 3 - RIZAL FAMILY TODAY

To start off with, the national hero of the Philippines, José Rizal did not have
direct descendants as he was not married or had any children. Therefore, he did not
continue his family legacy through progeny. He had no direct descendants, only
collateral descendants, those descended from siblings. They were 11 altogether as
children in his family. The eldest sister was Saturnina, followed by Paciano, then
Narcisa, Lucia, Olimpia and Maria. Then came the only other brother, Jose, followed
by Concepcion who died as a toddler; followed by Trinidad, Josefa, and the youngest,
Soledad. Except for Jose, Concepcion, Trinidad and Josefa (who never married), the
rest provided the collateral descendants. (Gonzalez-Ventura, 2023)

I was able to find out about Gemma Cruz Araneta who is Maria’s great-
granddaughter.

Gemma Cruz Araneta, born on October 8, 1943, in Manila, Philippines, is a

distinguished Filipino cultural advocate, beauty queen, and writer. Graduating from
the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communications,
Gemma made history in 1964 by becoming the first Filipina to win the prestigious
title of Miss International. Beyond her success in beauty pageants, she has been a
fervent advocate for the preservation of Filipino culture and heritage. Actively
involved in organizations such as the Heritage Conservation Society, Gemma Araneta
has dedicated herself to cultural and educational initiatives. Her commitment to
cultural preservation is complemented by her contributions as an author, sharing
insights into Philippine culture, traditions, and heritage. Gemma Araneta also served
as the Tourism Secretary of the Philippines, adding a dimension of public service to
her multifaceted career. Today, she continues to inspire others with her passion for the
rich cultural tapestry of the Philippines.

Lately, she’s been mulling over writing her memoirs. She remembers that her
mother, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, was also in her 80s when her daughters insisted
that she write down her life story, lest Ermita before the Second World War be
forgotten for good. She is currently working on writing, particularly about her
experiences and life in Mexico which set her on her career path as a public servant
and cultural advocate.

Gemma Cruz Araneta has been striving to put forward the next generation of
heritage advocates; when she was chairperson, the Heritage Conservation Society
recruited members in universities and colleges with faculties of architecture and
engineering. She said that she has been doing the same with the Rizal family. That the
torch has to be passed on; there has to be a changing of the guard. (Carpio & Carpio,
2023)
 Gemma Cruz Araneta has made notable contributions to nation-building in the
Philippines through her multifaceted career. As the first Filipina to win the Miss
International title in 1964, she not only brought honor to the country but also
showcased Filipino beauty and intelligence on the global stage. Beyond her success
in beauty pageants, Gemma has been a dedicated cultural advocate, actively working
with organizations such as the Heritage Conservation Society to preserve and
promote Filipino culture. Her service as the Tourism Secretary of the Philippines
under President Ferdinand Marcos further contributed to the positive image of the
nation. Through educational initiatives, media contributions, and a commitment to
cultural preservation, Gemma Cruz Araneta has played a significant role in fostering
national pride and identity in the Philippines.