Rowena Moran and Margie Moran are two of the most famous beauty queens in Philippine history. They both won the prestigious Miss Universe crown, Rowena in 1973 and Margie in 1979. They also share the same surname, Moran, which is not very common in the Philippines. But are they related by blood or by marriage? This article will explore the truth behind their family ties and their remarkable achievements.
The Moran Clan
The Moran clan is one of the most prominent families in Philippine society. They trace their roots to Don Francisco Gonzalez y Reinado, a wealthy landowner who owned the 39,000-hectare Hacienda Esperanza that spanned across Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. He was also a descendant of Don Juan Gonzalez de Reinado, a Spanish conquistador who came to the Philippines in the 16th century
One of Don Francisco’s granddaughters, Nieves Gonzalez de Moran, married Manuel Moran, who became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1945 to 1951. They had six children, one of whom was Francis Gonzalez Moran, a lawyer and businessman. Francis married Rosario McIlvain Roxas, a daughter of Manuel Roxas, the fifth president of the Philippines
Francis and Rosario had three children: Lourdes Virginia “Lovi” Moran Poe, Francis “Kiko” Moran Jr., and Maria Margarita “Margie” Moran Floirendo. Lovi is a well-known actress and singer, Kiko is a businessman and politician, and Margie is the former Miss Universe 1973
The Beauty Queens
Margie Moran was born on September 15, 1953 in Manila. She graduated from St. Theresa’s College and Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) with a degree in business administration. She also studied at Boston University and SOAS University of London. She was 19 years old when she joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 1973 and won the right to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant in Athens, Greece. She also won the Miss Photogenic award and became the second Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown, after Gloria Diaz in 1969
After her reign, Margie married Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr., a politician and businessman from Davao del Norte. They had two daughters, Monica and Gabrielle. They later divorced in 1995. Margie became involved in various social and civic causes, especially for promoting peace and development in Mindanao. She also headed several private companies, such as Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island and Bagong Buwan Productions. She was also the president of Ballet Philippines and is currently the chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Rowena Moran was born on October 14, 1954 in Manila. She graduated from St. Paul College of Manila and attended college at Maryknoll College (now Miriam College). She was a part-time model for fashion designer Auggie Cordero before joining the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 1979. She won the title of Binibining Pilipinas Universe and flew to Perth, Australia to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. She also won the Miss Photogenic award and became the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown, after Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran
After her reign, Rowena married Fernando “Ronnie” Poe Jr., a legendary actor and politician known as “FPJ” or “Da King”. They had one daughter, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who is also a politician and senator. Rowena also pursued an acting career and appeared in several movies with her husband, such as Roman Rapido (1983), Isang Bala Ka Lang! (1983), Partida (1985), and Muslim Magnum .357 (1986). She also became an advocate for women’s rights and education. She died on December 14, 2004 due to brain aneurysm at the age of 50
The Verdict
So are Rowena Moran and Margie Moran related? The answer is no. They are not related by blood or by marriage. They just happen to share the same surname and the same achievement of winning the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines. They are both part of different branches of the Moran clan that originated from Don Francisco Gonzalez y Reinado.
However, they do have some connections with each other. Rowena’s daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares is a cousin of Margie’s mother Rosario McIlvain Roxas, since they are both grandchildren of Manuel Roxas, the fifth president of the Philippines. Rowena’s husband Fernando Poe Jr. was also a close friend of Margie’s ex-husband Antonio Floirendo Jr., since they were both members of the opposition party Lakas-CMD.
Rowena Moran and Margie Moran are two remarkable women who have made their mark in Philippine history and society. They are both icons of beauty, grace, and intelligence. They are also both champions of peace, culture, and development. They are both inspirations for generations of Filipinas who aspire to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.
