Gemma Cruz became the first Filipina and Asian to win Miss International 1964 in California, USA.
With a heart of gold, she donated the US$10,000 prize money she won as Miss International to Manila Boys Town and Girls Home, a home for indigent and out of school youth in Marikina City.
Gemma worked as the secretary of Tourism of the Philippines from 1st July 1998 to 19th January 2001. She resumed her writing career in 2001 and has now a bi-weekly column editorial section in the Manila Bulletin.
She has received an "Outstanding Manileña" and a "Golden Heart" Presidential decoration from President Diosdado Macapagal.