Gemma Cruz Araneta turns a young 80
Gemma Cruz Araneta showed us what a total package of an empowered woman should be at an early age. The 21-year-old beauty with brains won as Miss International 1964, the first Asian and Filipina to win the title and surprised many by donating all the proceeds to charity.
Through the years, she has proved more than her worth wearing many hats as a writer and author, director, Cabinet member, heritage conservationist, historian, radio and TV talk show host. With an illustrious heritage to boot — being a direct descendant of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
As she recently turned 80 years young, Gemma made sure to celebrate with her immediate family — daughter Fatimah Araneta, son Leon Araneta and wife Karla Delgado, granddaughters Aurora and Uma, who wore stylish palazzo outfits of Kanebo silk that were worn by their lola Gemma in the 1970s and are still very much in vogue.
A birthday lunch was served in the Kashmir restaurant, owned by her businessman/entrepreneur son Leon, with a healthy spread of delicious fresh food and organic vegetable options. Joining the celebration were her Maryknoll classmates, cousins from the Jose Rizal bloodline, the Wednesday group habitues and close friends.
Daughter-in-law Karla paid a loving tribute: “Happy birthday to my beautiful mother-in-law, who is the most interesting conversationalist, who has served and represented the Philippines in many capabilities all her life. We are blessed to have her in our lives and feel especially blessed because she raised Leon so well. His deep respect for women is something he learned from his Mama.”
Gemma’s mother, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, and my mother-in-law, Dina Pereyra Jacinto, were St. Theresa College Manila classmates, prewar. So RJ Jacinto and her brother Toto Cruz were kindergarten classmates under Mother Redempta, along with Jovee Cruz and Toto Africa. Original classmates all the way till Ateneo college.
As the day ended, Gemma had time to share some of her thoughts with us:
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: How do you feel about turning 80?
Gemma Cruz Araneta: The march of time cannot be stopped, it is inevitable. When I wake up, the first thing I do is thank the Almighty for yet another day and for all the years He has so kindly granted me. I am letting Nature take over, I have stopped coloring my hair, but I have not let go completely, I have resumed Pilates sessions to stay fit.
What’s on your bucket list?
That is a difficult question to answer when you are 80. I think I have accomplished most of what used to be in my bucket lists. So now, I don’t mind staying at home reading and writing. I go out with friends occasionally, it is important to socialize.
What things/dreams have you yet to achieve?
I still have dreams about the Philippines. Someday, I hope it becomes the nation that Jose Rizal envisioned. He advocated an educational system that awakens a sentimiento nacional, meaning a deep love of country and of our fellow Filipinos. He also advocated holistic education based on science and not on obscurantism. Rizal also advocated agriculture, trade and commerce. My dreams are also about Fatimah and Leon and my three grandchildren. I will definitely not finish reading all the books I have accumulated in my lifetime, not even in my wildest dreams! I no longer have dreams for myself, fortunately, most of the dreams came true. Have already come true.
What do you consider the best thing you have done?
Raising Fatimah and Leon almost single-handedly and in a foreign country is my greatest achievement. They are my precious jewels.
Any regrets in life?
I should have interviewed my grandmothers about their lives. That generation went through the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine-American War and the Japanese Occupation, doesn’t that boggle your imagination?
