Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz Araneta was born in Manila on September 30, 1943, to Carmen Guerrero and Ismael Cruz, who was killed by the Japanese Imperial Forces shortly before the liberation of Manila in 1945.
Her great-grandmother Maria was the sister of Philippine national hero José Rizal.
Gemma Cruz attended St. Theresa’s College and Maryknoll College. She graduated in March 1963 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and was then employed as historical writer and chief docent of the National Museum.
In May 1964, she was chosen by the Boys Town Miss Philippines contest to represent the Republic of the Philippines at the International Beauty Congress in Long Beach, California, in the United States where she was elected Miss International of 1965.
She is also known for her Philippine history book for children titled Makisig, the Little Hero of Mactan.
In 1998, Gemma Cruz-Araneta was appointed the nation’s Secretary of Tourism by President Joseph Estrada. She served for more than two years before being succeeded by Richard Gordon.
* Apo sa tuhod ng isa sa mga babaeng kapatid ni Jose Rizal.
