Celia Díaz Laurel

Maria Luz Celia Teresita Franco Díaz-Laurel (May 29, 1928 – July 12, 2021) was a Filipina theatre actress, singer, and painter who served as the Second Lady of the Philippines from 1986 until 1992 as the wife of former Vice President Salvador Laurel. She was also the grandmother of actress Denise Laurel.

Early life and career Maria Luz Celia Teresita Díaz y Franco was born on May 29, 1928, in Talisay, Negros Occidental

She studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines where she was mentored by National Artists for Visual Arts Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino.

Celia has written several books (one dedicated to her husband Salvador, and the other to her grandfather Domingo Franco, one of 13 martyrs executed at Bagumbayan). She became an accomplished painter with a book chronicling her many works, a stage actress, and later in life, a production and costume set designer.

Death Celia died on July 12, 2021, due to complications from a stroke. She is survived by her children, Susana, Celine, Victor, David, Lorenzo, and Marissa, and 19 grandchildren. She was 93 years old.