The Kapampangans have produced many Rajahs, Datus, four Philippine presidents, three chief justices, a senate president, the first Filipino cardinal, one Huk Supremo, many Huk Commanders and NPA cadres and many notable figures in public service, education, religion, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences, entertainment and business. For a list of prominent or noteworthy Kapampangans, see
:Category:Kapampangan people.
History, politics and religion •
Benigno Aquino – Filipino senator whose
assassination triggered the events that led to the
People Power Revolution. Born and raised in
Concepcion, Tarlac •
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino – a Filipina politician who served as President of the Philippines. She was the first woman to hold that office, and the first female president in Asia. She is regarded by international diplomatic community as the Mother of Asian Democracy. •
Benigno S. Aquino III – the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. •
Dr. Rey B. Aquino – a former mayor of
San Fernando City and the CEO of Philippine Health Insurance. •
Don Juan Macapagal –
Datu of
Arayat, the great-grandson of Lakandula. He was given the title
Maestre de Campo General of the natives Arayat,
Candaba and
Apalit for his aid in suppressing the Kapampangan Revolt of 1660 and was the only native in the Philippines to become an
encomendero. •
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal – the 9th President of the Republic of the Philippines and a native of Lubao, Pampanga. •
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – the 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines. A daughter of the 9th President of the Republic
Diosdado Macapagal, she was the country's first female Vice President during the tenure of Joseph Estrada. •
Elmer Cato – Filipino journalist and diplomat who is currently the Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York. A career diplomat with the rank of Chief of Mission Class 2, Cato had previously served as Chargé d'Affaires and Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Philippines in Baghdad (2015–2018) and in Tripoli (2019–2021), who joined the Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines)(DFA) in 1998. He is from
Angeles City. • Jomar Sadie – Philippine Diplomat to Iraq, Mensa International member, and Anti-Trafficking advocate. He is a native of Angeles City. • Armando Biliwang – the former municipal mayor of San Fernando and was well known for his stand against Communism during his term as municipal councilor and mayor. •
Tarik Sulayman, a precolonial Muslim ruler from Macabebe who battled Spanish forces at the
Battle of Bangkusay Channel •
Francisco Tongio Liongson, a politician and doctor, was a native of Pampanga's ancient capital, Villa de Bacolor, who became Pampanga's governor and its first senator. •
Pedro Tongio Liongson, lawyer and judge, was a native of Pampanga's ancient capital, Villa de Bacolor, who served as member of the
Malolos Congress (1898–1899) and as Judge Advocate General of the army of the First Philippine Republic (1899–1900). • Bishop La Verne D. Mercado – From Lubao, Pampanga, elected bishop of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines and also served as general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. • Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil – A Kapampangan from Tarlac. Dr. Nacpil was elected bishop of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines and also served as Professor of Theology at the Union Theological Seminary in Dasmarinas, Cavite. •
José Abad Santos – a native of the City of San Fernando who became the 5th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was killed by Japanese forces during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II. •
Pedro Abad Santos – a doctor, lawyer, Marxist, and politician who later became a leader of the first of two Communist rebellions from the 1930s to the 1950s. He is the older brother of José Abad Santos. •
Félix Ysagun-Manalo – founder of the Christian religious organization
Iglesia ni Cristo. •
Eliseo Soriano – evangelist and presiding minister of the Philippine-based Members Church of God International. He is known as Brother Eli in his radio and television programs
Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). •
Satur Ocampo – cofounder of the
National Democratic Front, he is a politician, journalist, and writer. Also a representative for the
Bayan Muna party in the Lower House of Philippine Congress. •
Luis Taruc – a political figure and Communist revolutionary. He was the leader of the Hukbalahap rebel group between 1942 and 1954. •
Rufino Jiao Santos – the former Archbishop of Manila from 1953 to 1973 and was the first Filipino to be named Cardinal. • Tito Morales Mendiola – a former mayor of
Floridablanca and the
senior vice president of Philippine Health (
PHILHEALTH) Insurance for operations and area vice president for
Mindanao. •
Eddie Panlilio – the first Catholic priest in the Philippines to be elected as a provincial governor. He campaigns for good governance and opposes patronage politics and corruption. •
Yeng Guiao – a former vice-governor of Pampanga and a professional basketball head coach for the
NLEX Road Warriors in the
Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former
Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997 to 2000. •
Gil J. Puyat – was the Senate President of the Philippines from 1967 to 1972. •
Rogelio dela Rosa – was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century and was elected to the Senate in 1957. He was also the first film actor able to parlay his fame into a political career, paving the way for other Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians. He had an equally famous brother,
Jaime dela Rosa, also a matinee idol in the 1950s. •
Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan – senator and husband of celebrity
Sharon Cuneta •
Randy David – a political analyst, newspaper columnist, and professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. •
Honesto Ongtioco – 2nd
Bishop of Balanga (June 18, 1998 – August 28, 2003), 1st
Bishop of Cubao (August 28, 2003–present), and
sede vacante Apostolic Administrator of
Malolos (May 11, 2018 – August 21, 2019). •
Apollo Quiboloy – televangelist; born in
Davao City to Kapampangan parents from
Lubao.
Arts and culture •
Padre Anselmo Jorge Fajardo – Father of Kapampangan Literature. Author of the first and longest metrical romance in any Philippine language, Gonzalo de Córdoba. He was a native delegate to the Spanish Cortez. , Monument and memorial). •
Juan Crisostomo Soto – Kapampangan writer, revolutionary leader and veteran of the Philippine–American War. Father of Kapampangan poetic debate, Crissotan, and author of "Alang Dios" (There is no God), Perlas quing Burac, Anac ning Katipunan, Lydia and many others Zarzuelas and Playwrights. •
Francisco Alonso Liongson – Outstanding Philippine playwright in Spanish and founding president of Círculo Escenico, Pampanga's Spanish theatrical group that became nationally renowned. •
Aurelio Tolentino – one of the mystics of the
Katipunan, a compadre of
Andrés Bonifacio, a nationalist writer in both Kapampangan and Tagalog. He coined the word
dulâ for drama and ironically became known in Philippine history as the Father of Tagalog Drama for his anti-US colonial masterpiece
Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas. A theatre at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is named
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in his honor. • Jose Gallardo – Kapampangan Poet Laureate and one of the most prolific Kapampangan writers of the late 20th century. •
Amado Yuzon – Kapampangan Poet Laureate, a Philippine academic, journalist, and writer. • Alejandro T. Quiboloy – Kapampangan educator, public servant, writer and Protestant minister. Born in
Lubao,
Pampanga on May 3, 1909. •
Vicente Manansala – a
National Artist of the Philippines in Visual Arts, was a direct influence on his fellow Filipino neo-realists. • Isidoro C. Soto [Anac ning Baculud] Born on April 4, 1918, in Suban Bacolor, Pampanga. One of the greatest artist-decorator-designers of Pampanga. One of his living artworks is the ceiling painting of Betis church, painted with Dr. Juco as his mentor. He was also the designer of the logo of Philippine Rabbit Bus Liner. He used to decorate for Circulo Fernandino, Batu-Balani, Old legs, Circilo Masantoleno, to name a few. He is a descendant of Juan Crisostomo Soto, the famous Pampango poet. Isidoro died at the age of 70 on June 9, 1988. •
Ambeth Ocampo – is a Filipino historian, academic, journalist and author best known for his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Looking Back." • Gene Gonzales – nationally renowned chef, restaurateur, educator management consultant and author. He is the author of
Cocina Sulipeña: Culinary from Old Pampanga. •
Zoilo Hilario – a member of the Institute of National Language who dedicated his life to imposing the
ABAKADA on Kapampangan writing through the Akademyang Kapampangan, the organization he created. •
Mon David – is a jazz singer from Sto. Tomas, Pampanga. He won the grand prize in the prestigious 2006 London International Jazz Competition (LIJC). • Eduardo Mutuc – is a 2005 NCCA GAMABA National Living Treasure Awardee for upholding the traditional Kapampangan art of
pinukpuk or silver inlaying and embossing on
retablos,
carosas and altar pieces. •
Brillante Mendoza – is a Filipino film director who won the award for Best Director for his film
Kinatay at the recently concluded 62nd Cannes Film Festival in France. •
Jess Española – is a Filipino former animator,
layout artist, and assistant director who won the
Primetime Emmy Award for his contribution as an assistant director of "
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind" from the
19th season of The Simpsons – the first time not only a Filipino, but an Asian and Kapampangan had won such tremendous honor.
Popular culture, sports and entertainment •
Dolphy – born as Rodolfo Quizon and known as the
King of Philippine Comedy was born in Pampanga in 1928 to Kapampangan parents and was raised in Tondo, Manila. •
Vilma Santos – queen of Philippine movies born in
Bamban, Tarlac, and Governor of
Batangas. •
Melanie Marquez – (b. 16 July 1964), is a Filipina personality development coach, actress, film producer, author, and celebrity endorser. She was a former beauty queen and model who won the
1979 Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan, representing the Philippines, born and raised in Mabalacat. •
Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr – is a Filipino television public affairs host, media executive, newspaper columnist, and lawyer. •
Efren "Bata" Reyes – is referred to as "The Magician" and a popular Filipino billiards player who hails from Angeles City. He is considered to be one of history's greatest practitioners of billiards. •
Francisco Bustamante – next to Bata, shoots the most powerful breaks in World Billiards. With Bata they are one of the greatest billiard tandems in the world. •
apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) – is a member of the Grammy Award-winning group,
The Black Eyed Peas, and was born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City. He is famous throughout the Filipino community after the release of his life story of his homeland Philippines in a song called "
The Apl Song." •
Allen Dizon – International actor. Born in Sta. Ana, Pampanga •
Lito Lapid – a famous star turned politician. He became governor of Pampanga and later became a member of the Philippine senate. •
Joey Marquez – Philippine basketball star turned actor-comedian turned politician. Brother of popular beauty queen
Melanie Marquez •
Ato Agustin – former professional basketball player in PBA, and became an MVP in 1992. •
Arwind Santos – San Miguel Beerman superstar from Lubao, Pampanga. 2 time Finals MVP of the PBA, 8 time PBA all star ft •
Japeth Aguilar – Gilas Pilipinas Center/Forward born and raised in Sasmuan, Pampanga •
Coco Martin – is an actor, martial artist, film director and producer known for starring in the acclaimed television series
Ang Probinsyano. •
Calvin Abueva – Alaska Aces Small Forward born and raised in Angeles City, Pampanga. Nicknamed "The Beast"\ •
Jayson Castro – Talk n Text and Gilas Pilipinas superstar guard born and raised in Guagua, Pampanga •
Gary David – Meralco Bolts sharpshooter born and raised in Dinalupihan, Bataan •
JC Intal – Barako Bull and Gilas Pilipinas born in Minalin, Pampanga. He is married to television host and model
Bianca Gonzalez •
Yeng Guiao – is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997 to 2000. He is also a former Vice Governor and Congressman of 1st district of the province of Pampanga. • •
Rey Langit – is a TV Personality, columnist of Tempo, Balita, People's Tonight, DWIZ-AM Station Manager, and host of Kasangga Mo ang Langit and Biyaheng Langit, both of which are aired over
Radio Philippines Network and
DWIZ. •
Rogelio dela Rosa – was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century and was elected to the Senate in 1957. He was also the first film actor who was able to parlay his fame into a political career, paving the way for other Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians. He had an equally famous brother,
Jaime dela Rosa, also a matinee idol in the 1950s. •
Rudy Fernandez – the son of the late film director Gregorio Fernandez.[1][3] Both his parents were from Lubao, Pampanga, which he considered his hometown.[4] •
Lorna Tolentino – is an actress, host, executive producer and wife of fellow Kapampangan actor
Rudy Fernandez. She was born in Concepcion, Tarlac and was raised in Manila. •
Jean García – is a television and film actress who hails from Angeles City. Her most famous role was in the telenovela
Pangako sa 'Yo where she played antagonist Madam Claudia. •
Carlos Badion – Philippine Basketball Team members, first Asian MVP in the now so called FIBA Asia. His moniker is "The Bad Boy". Known for his bicycle drive and jackknife layup. •
Ed Ocampo – an Olympian with the Big J. One of the great basketball players & coaches in the Philippines.
Shin Dong Pa the Korean legend says Ocampo and Jaworski are his great opponents in basketball in the Asian Region. •
Mark Lapid – is an actor, film producer, and former governor of Pampanga (2004–2007). He is the husband of an actress
Tanya Garcia. •
Helen Gamboa – Helen Gamboa-Sotto (born May 7, 1948) in Pampanga, Philippines, is a veteran Filipina actress, singer, and former beauty queen.[1] • Gaudencio "Dencio" Cabanela – Kapampangan boxing hero from San fernando, Pampanga. Beating a French and an Australian holder of three Oriental Titles, first Pinoy boxing hero. Died 1921, next boxing hero was Pancho Villa took the international fame. •
Rufa Mae Quinto – popular comedian from
Bubble Gang. •
Angel Aquino – fashion model and FAMAS and Gawad Urian Award-nominated Filipino film and television actress, born in Dumaguete City to Kapampangan parents from Tarlac •
Liza Lorena – born Elizabeth Ann Jolene Luciano Winsett s a Filipino former beauty queen and multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. She was a First Runner-Up in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1966. •
Fernando Poe Jr. – born Ronald Allan Kelley Poe and colloquially known as
FPJ and
Da King, was a Filipino actor and later politician, having run an unsuccessful bid for President of the Philippines in the 2004 presidential elections against the incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His mother, Elizabeth Gatbonton Kelly is a Kapampangan from
Candaba. •
Sharon Cuneta – dubbed as the "Megastar of Philippine Showbiz," is a popular Filipina actress, TV host, singer, endorser, grand slam awardee, box-office queen, hall of famer and a recipient of several lifetime achievement awards at a relatively young age. Her mother Elaine Gamboa-Cuneta (sister of
Helen Gamboa ) is from Santa Ana, Pampanga. •
KC Concepcion – daughter of Philippine singer-actress
Sharon Cuneta, and adopted daughter of senator
Francis Pangilinan. Her biological father was 80's heartthrob
Gabby Concepcion. •
Lea Salonga – is a Tony Award-winning singer and actress who is best known for her portrayal of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. She spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City before moving to Manila. •
Judy Ann Santos – is a film and television actress. Her mom hails from San Fernando City, Pampanga. •
Paquito Diaz – is a veteran actor and director, whose mother is a Kapampangan. •
Leah Dizon – is a model, singer, and a TV personality and media icon in Japan and upcoming in the Philippines with the upcoming
ABS-CBN artist and personality, born in Las Vegas, Nevada. •
Vanessa Minnillo – is an American television personality born in Clark Air Base, Angeles City and raised in the US. She was Miss Teen USA 1998 and is currently a host on MTV's Total Request Live. •
Isabel Preysler – is a Filipino journalist, socialite, and television host, the Kapampangan ancestry of the Arrastia family is from
Bataan. Besides the Iglesias children her socialite daughters Tamara Falco and Ana Boyer born from different relationships would also be of Kapampangan descent. •
Enrique Iglesias – is a Spanish singer-songwriter and occasional actor, son of Filipina Isabel Preysler. •
Chábeli Iglesias – is a Spanish socialite, the daughter of Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler and the elder sister of Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias. •
Julio Iglesias Jr. – is a Spanish singer, son of Filipina Isabel Preysler. •
Hilda Koronel – is an actress who starred in around 45 films, many of which are critically acclaimed. Born Susan Reid, her father was an American serviceman. •
Lalaine Vergara – is an American actress, singer and spokesperson. •
Rufa Mae Quinto – is a popular actress and TV host, known for her comedy role in the film,
Booba. •
Abbygale Williamson Arenas – is a former international model and beauty queen. She is now a freelance make-up artist. •
Francisco "Django" Bustamante – is a world-class billiards player from Tarlac. •
Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski – is a former Olympian (equestrian) and celebrity from Tarlac. •
Rosa Rosal – is a Philippine Red Cross advocate who hails from Sta. Rita, Pampanga. •
Elwood Perez – is a movie director from Mabalacat, Pampanga. •
Chris Tiu – is a TV host of Pinoy Records and an MVP of Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketball Team. •
Sarah Geronimo – is a popular singer, actress, movie star. She traces her roots in Concepcion, Tarlac while her father hails from Floridablanca, Pampanga. •
Ryzza Mae Dizon – (born June 12, 2005)is a Filipina child actress, comedian and television personality. She rose to prominence in 2012 when she won that year's edition of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines.Currently, she is the youngest host in the present roster of presenters in the variety show Eat Bulaga!, and hosts her own morning talk show The Ryzza Mae Show. •
Rosa del Rosario – a famous actress. Her real name was Rose del Rosario Stagner. Her mother was from Pampanga. She is the first female action hero who portrayed Darna in 1951 under Royal Films. •
Thia Megia – a participant of American Idol Season 10. She is from Angeles City. •
John Prats – mom hails from Angeles City. •
Maricel Laxa – her father Tony Ferrer was a popular actor from the 60's and 70's. •
Jimmy Manansala – basketball player. Won Rookie of the Year and four PBA championships. •
Julian Manansala – film studio founder and director. Called the "Father of Philippine Nationalist Films." •
Luis Manzano – mom Vilma Santos was born and raised in Bamban, Tarlac. •
Bamboo Manalac – parents hail from Floridablanca, Pampanga. •
Aljur Abrenica – GMA turned ABS-CBN star from Angeles City. •
Kris Aquino – Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino, is a Filipina television personality and actress who gained prominence and numerous endorsements from her talk shows, game shows, horror movies, massacre movies. She is the youngest daughter of former Philippine senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., and Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, who served as the 11th President of the Philippines, and sister of Benigno S. Aquino, III, the 15th President of the Philippines. •
Dimples Romana – (born November 13, 1984, Dianne Marie Romana) is a Filipina actress and commercial model. •
Ellie Tiglao – Chef based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother is from Angeles City and her father from Macabebe. •
Dr. Tracy Timberlake YouTube Vlogger and Internet Personality. Born in Clark Air Base, her mother is Kapampangan from Bamban, Tarlac. • Michael Alim – Born in San Fernando. Resided in Angeles City during his childhood and presently resides at Dau, Mabalacat City. First Kapampangan chef who works at the oldest restaurant in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. •
Lervin Flores – PBA Player Represented the Philippines in SEA Games in 3vs3 Basketball from Masantol. •
Emma Tiglao – Actress, model, journalist, television presenter, and
Miss Grand International 2025 •
Norman King - first
Aeta from Pampanga that graduated from the
University of the Philippines Manila ==See also==