‘Firsts’ among Filipinos

In September last year, Time magazine published a special feature called “Firsts” subhead “Women who are changing the world.” Among the artists included in the Honor Roll were: Aretha Franklin (First woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame); Oprah Winfrey (First woman to own and produce her own talk show); Jennifer Yuh Nelson (First woman to solo-direct a major Hollywood animated feature); Ellen DeGeneres (First person to star as an openly gay character on primetime TV); Selena Gomez (First person to reach 100 million followers on Instagram); Rita Moreno (First Latina to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony); Shonda Rhimes (First woman to create three hit shows with more than 100 episodes each); and Barbara Walters (First woman to co-anchor a network evening news program).

Here's Funfare’s own list of “Firsts” among Filipinos not just limited to women achievers:

• Gloria Diaz, First Filipino Miss Universe;

• Gemma Cruz, First Filipino Miss International;

• Megan Young, First Filipino Miss World;

• Karla Henry, First Filipino Miss Earth;

• Baby Santiago, First Filipino Queen of the Pacific;

• Maria del Carmen Ines Zaragoza, First Filipino Miss Asia;

• Lea Salonga, First Filipino (and first Asian) to score a Grand Slam (theater, for Miss Saigon);

• Brillante Mendoza, First Filipino to win Best Director (for Kinatay/Butchered) in Cannes;

• Jaclyn Jose, First Filipino to win Best Actress (for Ma’Rosa) in Cannes;

• Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo, First Filipino (and the first Asian) world boxing champion (flyweight division);

• Manny Pacquiao, First Filipino (and the only boxer) to bag 11 major world titles in eight weight divisions;

• Jose Villanueva, First Filipino to win an Olympic medal (bronze) in boxing (his son, Anthony Villanueva, would later win the country’s first Olympic silver in the same sport);

• Teofilo Yldefonso, First Filipino to win an Olympic medal in swimming;

• Corazon Aquino, First Filipino woman President of the Republic of the Philippines;

• Joseph “Erap” Estrada, First Filipino actor to become President of the Republic of the Philippines;

• Rogelio dela Rosa, First Filipino actor to venture into politics;

• Pepe Pimentel, First Tawag ng Tanghalan champion;

• Rosa del Rosario, First actress to play Darna;

• Edna Luna, First actress to play Dyesebel;

• Myrna Panlilio, First Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; and

• Carmen Concha, First woman director of Philippine Movies (Magkaisang Landas of Parlatone Hispano-Pilipino, first film; and Pangarap of LVN Pictures with Mila del Sol, last film).

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