Filipino celebrity dynasties
What Hollywood calls nepo babies, Filipinos call showbiz royalties. And just like their Western counterparts, these Filipino showbiz families gave us some of the best – but also some of the worst – actors. We’ll leave it up to you to decide who’s who.
With their vast networks and interconnectedness, it can be quite a challenge to keep track of these showbiz clans. To help you stay in the loop, here’s a rundown of some prominent Filipino celebrity dynasties.
1. The Padillas – a family of action stars and singers
Image credit: @supremo_dp via Instagram
When the last name Padilla is mentioned, most people immediately think of actor Daniel Padilla. However, Daniel is just one member of a sprawling family of actors and entertainers.
His great-grandfather, José Padilla Sr., was a lawyer, politician, and actor, who went under the screen name Mario de Cordova. While his grandfather chose a path in politics over acting, Daniel’s father Rommel, along with his siblings Robin and BB Gandanghari, became well-known actors in the 80s and 90s.
Robin Padilla, BB Gandanghari, and Rommel Padilla
Image credit: The Philippine Star
Robin, in particular, has 2 children with former actress Liezl Sicangco, both of whom followed their parents’ footsteps and became actors, including Kylie Padilla. Following his divorce from Sicangco, Robin tied the knot with actress Mariel Rodriguez, with whom he has 2 more children.
Adding to the family tree, songstress Zsa Zsa Padilla is actually Daniel’s second cousin, making her daughter Karylle his niece.
2. The Fernandezes – actually a subgroup of the Padillas
Rudy
Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino.
Image credit: @lornatolentinofernandez via Instagram
The Fernandezes are technically a subgroup of the Padilla celebrity dynasty through Pilar Padilla who married actor and director Gregorio Fernandez.
This union gave rise to the late action star Rudy Fernandez, who had children with actresses Alma Moreno and Lorna Tolentino.
Mark Anthony Fernandez and son Grae.
Image adapted from: @graefernandez via Instagram
With Alma Moreno, Rudy had a son named Mark Anthony Fernandez, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor. Mark Anthony’s son, Grae Fernandez, also ventured into acting, continuing the family legacy.
Afterwards, Rudy tied the knot with Lorna Tolentino, with whom he had two more sons: actor Renz Fernandez and filmmaker Rap Fernandez.
3. The Ejercitos – family of actor-politicians
Former president Erap Estrada and son Jake Ejercito.
Image credit: @unoemilio via X
The Ejercitos are one of the most controversial Filipino celebrity dynasties as they are a family of actor-politicians.
While Ejercito serves as their real last name, Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada, who was first to become popular, adopted the screen name “Estrada,” which some family members also took on.
Following his popularity as an actor, Erap began his political career in 1969. Eventually, he ran for presidency in 1998 and won. His son, Jinggoy Estrada, followed in his footsteps, pursuing a career as both an actor and a politician, becoming a senator.
Gary Estrada with son Kiko.
Image credit: @nitzcape via X
Another son, Jake Ejercito, has made a name for himself as an actor and shares a daughter with Andi Eigenmann from the Eigenmann celebrity dynasty.
Erap is also a sibling of the late action star George Estregan, whose sons E.R. Ejercito and Gary Estrada have ventured into acting and politics. Gary’s son, Kiko Estrada, also pursued a career in acting.
4. The Gutierrezes – the Philippine’s Kardashians
Eddie Guttierez and Annabelle Rama with kids and grandkids.
Image credit: @annabelleramaig via Instagram
The Gutierrez celebrity dynasty can be likened to the Kardashians, since they’ve had their own reality show It Takes Gutz To Be A Guttierez.
The showbiz family is headed by actors Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, who share six children, including actress and socialite Ruffa Guttierez.
Their family also includes twin sons: Richard, known for his acting chops, and Raymond, who leans more towards hosting. Richard is married to actress Sarah Lahbati, with whom he shares 2 sons.
Image credit: @janinegutierrez via Instagram
However, many may not be aware of Eddie’s past relationships. Before Rama, Eddie had children with actress Liza Lorena and singer Pilita Corales.
With Lorena, he fathered actor Tonton Gutierrez, while with Corales, he had Ramon Christopher Gutierrez. Ramon Christopher, in turn, had children of his own, including actress Janine, with actress Lotlot De Leon.
5. The Sottos – headed by 2 of the hosts of Eat Bulaga
The Sotto family.
Image credit: @pauleenlunasotto via Instagram
The Sotto celebrity dynasty originated with brothers Vic Sotto and Tito Sotto, who became popular comedians in the late 1970s and are now synonymous with the Philippines’ longest-running noontime show, Eat Bulaga.
Tito, who is also a politician, is married to actress and singer Helen Gamboa with whom he has 4 children, including actress-host Ciara Sotto.
Meanwhile, Vic has been in relationships with 4 actresses, namely Angela Luz, Dina Bonnevie, Coney Reyes, and Pauleen Luna.
Vic has several children from these relationships, though not all of them are in the limelight. With Bonnevie, he had actor Oyo Sotto, who later married Vic’s “Enteng Kabisote” leading lady, Kristine Hermosa.
With Reyes, Vic had his son Vico Sotto, who has also made a name for himself as Pasig City mayor.
6. The Eigenmanns – a powerhouse of stellar actors
Michael de Mesa, Cherie Gil, and Mark Gil.
Image credit: Spot.ph
The union of actors and singers Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil in the 1970s brought forth a powerhouse of Filipino actors. this family of actors is primarily known by the last name Eigenmann, from Eddie Mesa’s real name, Eduardo de Mesa Eigenmann.
Their three children – the Michael de Mesa, and the late Mark Gil and primera kontrabida Cherie Gil – have all made their mark in the entertainment industry as stellar actors.
Mark Gil’s children and grandchildren.
Image credit: @andieigengirl via Instagram
Michael de Mesa has 2 sons, actors Geoff and Ryan Eigenmann, with actress Gina Alajar.
Meanwhile, Mark Gil had several children with four different partners, most of whom are actresses. Notably, he had his actor children with the following actresses: Gabby Eigenmann with Irene Celebre, Sid Lucero with Bing Pimentel, and Andi Eigenmann with Jaclyn Jose.
7. The Barrettos – started by 3 celebrity sisters who are now in a feud
Claudine, Marjorie, and Gretchen.
Image credit: ABS-CBN News
The Baretto celebrity dynasty was started by the 3 youngest daughters out of 7 siblings who joined the Philippine showbiz industry, namely Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine.
Former actress and socialite Gretchen Barreto is partners with business tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco. They have a daughter, Dominique, who represented the Philippines at the prestigious Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris in 2015.
Julia Barretto.
Image credit: @juliabarretto via Instagram
Marjorie was also a former actress and politician. She had 3 kids with actor Dennis Padilla, including actress Julia Barretto.
The youngest, Claudine Barretto, a sought-after actress in the 2000s, has 2 children with her ex-husband, actor Raymart Santiago.
Unfortunately, the Barretto sisters have strained relationships with each other, even having a public spat at their father’s wake in 2019.
8. Quizons – headed by the late King of Comedy, Dolphy
The Quizon family.
Image credit: PEP PH
The Quizon family stands as one of the largest and most prominent in showbiz, led by the late actor Dolphy, known as the “King of Comedy.” Dolphy had 9 partners over his lifetime, 6 of whom he had children with.
Among his partners were celebrities Gloria Smith, Pamela Ponti, Pilar Pilapil, Lotis Key, Alma Moreno, and Zsa Zsa Padilla.
Epi, Dolphy, and Eric in Markova: Comfort Gay.
Image credit: MyDramaList
With Pamela Ponti, Dolphy had actors Eric and Epi Quizon, both of whom portrayed the younger versions of his character in the award-winning film Markova: Comfort Gay.
Additionally, he had actor Vandolph with Alma Moreno, and singer Zia Quizon with Zsa Zsa Padilla.
Prominent Filipino celebrity dynasties
Love them or hate them, we’re here for the talented actors who came from these Filipino celebrity dynasties. And let’s be honest, the drama that often accompanies them isn’t too shabby either.
Delve deeper into the world of Philippine showbiz with these inspiring Filipino celebrities who went from rags to riches. But if you’re looking for an up-and-coming actor with no prior showbiz ties, get to know Anthony Jennings through our list of facts about the Can’t Buy Me Love actor.
Cover image adapted from: Spot.ph, The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News