LIST: Inspiring celebrity moms and daughters that are slaying it in the industry
This International Women's Day, women from all walks of life are celebrated—moms and daughters included!
When coming up with a list of powerful women in your life, moms will probably come to mind. As a parent, they teach their kids about their worth in the world as well as valuing others.
Behind some popular Filipina celebrities who are killing it in the entertainment industry are their supportive mothers, some of whom are equally successful personalities themselves. This Women's Month, PhilSTAR L!fe looks at some inspiring moms and daughters who slay the film and TV realm.
Charlene Gonzales and Atasha Muhlach
Charlene Gonzales made a name for herself as a beauty queen, representing the Philippines at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant where she finished in the Top 6. Later in her life, she served as a host on TV shows, including The Buzz.
In 2001, she welcomed her twins Andrés and Atasha with actor Aga Muhlach and her daughter has been making in the entertainment world in recent years. ICYDK, Atasha graduated with honors from Nottingham Trent University in London and later joined showbiz as a host on Eat Bulaga!
In 2022, the 22-year-old actress also represented the Philippines at the Le Bal des Debutantes, a prestigious fashion and charity event.
Melanie Marquez and Michelle Dee
Pageantry runs in the family for Melanie Marquez and her daughter Michelle Dee. Regarded as the youngest Miss International winner, Melanie competed in the pageant when she was just 15. After competing in pageants, the 1985 "Face of the 80s" winner worked in films and TV shows such as Working Girls 2, Wansapanataym: Ang Alamat Ko at ni Buboy, and Black Rider.
Her daughter, Michelle, inherited her beauty queen genes, winning titles such as Miss World Philippines 2019 and Miss Universe Philippines 2023. When she represented the country at the Miss Universe stage, Michelle took home four awards, including Best in National Costume and Fan Vote Winner.
After the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador, the young beauty queen told ABS-CBN News that her mother is one of her "biggest inspirations in life."
"She knew the hard work and the dedication that I was putting into every aspect of the competition. And then for her, I guess as a mom, to see that medyo bitin 'yung laban, of course she felt so sad," she said in 2023.
"She felt very disappointed, not to me but to what happened. But when I landed, she just said, 'You know anak there's nothing that you could have done, nothing that you could have changed.' I gave a flawless performance, binakla ko ang Pilipinas. And all she said was that she was proud of me and that makes me so happy also."
Gloria Diaz and Isabelle Daza
Aside from being a beauty queen and a mom, the FAMAS Award-winning actress Gloria Diaz has been starring in films since 1974, including Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi, Jose Rizal, Batang West Side, and more.
Isabelle Daza followed in her mother's footsteps, dipping her toes into acting and became an "It Girl" alongside Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, Anne Curtis, Liz Uy, and Bea Soriano-Dee in the late 2000s. Now, Isabelle's a mom herself to three kids, hosts The Sexytime Podcast, and owns sex toy brand Jellytime.
Maricel Laxa and Hannah Pangilinan
Maricel Laxa made a name for herself in the 90s for her roles in films like Iisa Pa Lamang, Hindi Kita Malilimutan, and Makiusap Ka sa Diyos. When she married, she had five children with Anthony Pangilinan who have also been making names for themselves in the entertainment industry, including Donny.
One of her daughters, content creator Hannah, co-wrote and co-produced esports film, GG, which stars Maricel and Donny.