Who’s Who in Bataan – LUZ CORNEJO BERNABE-SANTIAGO

LUZ CORNEJO BERNABE-SANTIAGO put Bataan in the national map after winning the prestigious “Miss Bulaklak 1957,” a nationwide popularity contest sponsored by the nationally-circulated Bulaklak Magazine.

Thousands of people, including famous movie stars such as Leopoldo Salcedo, Carmen Rosales, and Chiquito, came to Balanga on January 25, 1958 to witness the fabulous parade and coronation of the first Balanguena to win a national beauty and popularity contest.

Former Senator Rogelio dela Rosa and movie actress Carmen Rosales also came and crowned the “Miss Bulaklak” winner.”

Luz Bernabe was born in Puerto Rivas, Balanga on December 3, 1939. Her parents were Emilio C. Bernabe (Balanga’s 22nd Mayor) and Dominga Cornejo-Bernabe. She is the third among the nine Bernabe children.

She completed her Commerce degree at the University of Santo Tomas and worked briefly in a Federal banking institution in the United States. Her marriage to Leopoldo Santiago, a businessman from Obando, Bulacan, bore three children: James Richard, Christine and Maria Cristina.

Luz is currently engaged in managing the family businesses which include the Bersan Marketing and Trading Company, Lucra Marine Products and the L.B. Santiago Insurance, all based in Balanga.