Rogelio de la Rosa
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Rogelio de la Rosa | |
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Senator of the Philippines | |
In office December 30, 1957 – December 30, 1963 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Regidor de la Rosa y Lim November 12, 1916 Lubao, Pampanga, Philippine Islands |
Died | November 26, 1986 Manila, Philippines | (aged 70)
Nationality | Filipino |
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse(s) | Lota Delgado |
Occupation | Actor, Politician |
Regidor de la Rosa y Lim[1][2] (November 12, 1916 – November 26, 1986), professionally known as Rogelio de la Rosa, was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century.[1] He is also remembered for his statesmanship, in particular his accomplishments as a diplomat. Elected to the Philippine Senate from 1957 to 1963, he was the first Filipino film actor to parlay his fame into a substantial political career, paving the way for other future Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians such as Senators Eddie Ilarde, Ramon Revilla, Sr., Tito Sotto, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Freddie Webb, and President Joseph Estrada.
Early life[]
He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, the son of an arnis champion. Lubao was also the hometown of Diosdado Macapagal, six years his senior and a future political opponent and brother-in-law. Macapagal's first wife, Purita, was de la Rosa's sister.[3] He has Spanish and Chinese ancestry.[4]
While in high school, de la Rosa, along with Macapagal[1] would regularly perform in zarzuelas as a villain.[5]
As a teenager, he was cast by his uncle, a film director, in a starring role in the silent film Ligaw na Bulaklak opposite Rosa del Rosario. The film's director, José Nepomuceno, gave him the screen name "Rogelio de la Rosa".[6] However, the young actor did not then engage in a regular film career, opting instead to attend college at the Far Eastern University in Manila. An excellent collegiate athlete and debater in the years from 1932-34. In 1933, de la Rosa won the Claro M. Recto Gold Medal in a national oratorical contest.[2]
Film stardom[]
De la Rosa burst into stardom in the late 1930s after being frequently cast in dramas as a romantic idol opposite such actresses as Rosa del Rosario, Carmen Rosales, Emma Alegre, and Paraluman.[7] Rosales proved to be his most durable onscreen partner, and their "love team" is said to be among the most successful in the history of Philippine movies.[7]
When the Philippine film industry was held to a standstill during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, de la Rosa remained in the public eye as a bodabil performer at the Life Theater in Manila.[5] After the war, he resumed his film career and proved more popular than ever. emerged as a star, perhaps the most popular film actor of the first decade of the post-war. He formed his own film production company, RDR Productions, and starred as well in productions of LVN Pictures, often with Rosales.[7]
By 1948, he was the highest paid Filipino movie actor.[8] His success in films remained steady in the 1950s. He had been cast as the first Filipino actor, under the name of Ramon Delgado, to star in an American-produced movie, The Sword of Avenger. His 1955 role in Higit sa Lahat with Emma Alegre earned him the 'Best Actor' trophy at the 1956 FAMAS awards, as well as the Best Actor Award at the 1956 Southeast Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong.[5][9]
Senator and presidential candidate[]
In the 1957 general elections, de la Rosa ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate under the banner of the Liberal Party. He served for one 6-year term spanning the 4th and 5th Congress. As a Senator, he was active in issues of particular concern within his home province of Pampanga such as fisheries and agriculture, emerging as a strong advocate for nationalization of those industries.[10] Appropriately, de la Rosa was also interested in issues relating to the Filipino film industry, co-authoring a bill that would lead to the establishment of a Board of Censors.[10]
After three years in the Senate, de la Rosa decided to run for the presidency as an independent candidate. His residual popularity as a film star, as well as the unpopularity of incumbent re-electionist Nacionalista Carlos P. Garcia made him a credible candidate. The other major candidate in the race was then-Vice President Macapagal of the Liberal Party, his former brother-in-law.[11]
Shortly before election day, de la Rosa withdrew from the election. According to his official Senate biography, de la Rosa was concerned about the strength of what he perceived as the corrupt political machinery of President Garcia, and was ultimately convinced that his withdrawal from the race was the only way to ensure Garcia's defeat.[12] Whatever the motivation, de la Rosa's gambit proved successful, and Macapagal was easily elected over Garcia. Returning to the Liberal Party, de la Rosa was defeated for re-election to the Senate in the 1963 general elections. He would never again be elected to public office.[citation needed]
Diplomat and later years[]
De la Rosa remained in public service as an acclaimed diplomat. In 1965, he was appointed Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia, an important designation considering that country's proximity to the Philippines.[13] During the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, de la Rosa was also named as Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, and to the Soviet bloc countries of Poland, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia. He was duly admired for his savvy in foreign affairs and language proficiency. He also used his position to promote Filipino art and culture and to assist Filipino artists performing abroad. His last diplomatic post was Philippine Ambassador to Sri Lanka. He was well loved by the Filipino community there and reciprocated by serving his utmost best.[13]
After retiring from the diplomatic corps, De la Rosa made his last foray into politics by unsuccessfully running in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa parliamentary election. Shortly before his death from a heart attack in 1986, he played one last acting role, in a guest spot on the popular drama anthology Coney Reyes on Camera.[citation needed]
De la Rosa was married twice. His second wife, Lota Delgado, was a former leading lady of his in films. He was buried in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, beside his brother's grave[citation needed]
Selected filmography[]
- 1930: Bago lumubog ang araw
- 1932: Ligaw na Bulaklak
- 1932: Tianak
- 1932: Ulong Inasnan
- 1933: Nahuling Pagsisisi
- 1933: Ang Ganid
- 1934: Sawing Palad
- 1934: Krus na Bato
- 1936: Buhok ni Ester
- 1936: Diwata ng Karagatan
- 1936: Kalupitan ng Tadhana
- 1936: Awit ng mga Ulila
- 1936: Anak-Dalita
- 1936: Lagablab ng Kabataan
- 1937: Anak ng Pari
- 1937: Magkapatid
- 1937: Teniente Rosario
- 1937: Bituing Marikit
- 1938: Mga Sugat ng Puso
- 1938: Makiling
- 1938: Bukang Liwayway
- 1938: Ang Magmamani - Luis
- 1938: Sanggumay
- 1938: Bahay-Kubo
- 1938: Diwata ng Karagatan
- 1939: Magkaisang Landas
- 1939: Lagot Na Kuwintas
- 1939: Pasang Krus
- 1939: Takip-Silim
- 1939: Inang Mahal
- 1939: Florante at Laura
- 1939: Dalisay
- 1939: Ang Magsasampaguita
- 1940: Lambingan
- 1940: Senorita
- 1940: Nang Mahawi ang Ulap
- 1940: Gunita
- 1940: Diwa ng Awit
- 1940: Colegiala
- 1940: Magbalik ka, Hirang
- 1940: Katarungan
- 1940: Estrellita
- 1941: Tampuhan
- 1941: Tarhata
- 1941: Panambitan
- 1941: Ang Maestra
- 1941: Serenata sa Nayon
- 1942: Caballero
- 1942: Anong Ganda Mo
- 1944: Perfidia
- 1946: Tagumpay
- 1946: Garrison 13
- 1946: Ang Prinsipeng Hindi Tumatawa
- 1946: Dalawang Daigdig
- 1946: Honeymoon
- 1946: Victory Joe
- 1946: Angelus
- 1947: Ang Lalaki
- 1947: Ang Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo
- 1947: Sarung Banggi - Nanding
- 1947: Hagibis
- 1947: Backpay
- 1948: Ang Vengador
- 1948: Hampas ng Langit
- 1948: Sa Tokyo Ikinasal - Carlos
- 1948: Bulaklak at Paruparo
- 1949: Kampanang Ginto
- 1949: Bandilang Basahan
- 1949: Camelia
- 1949: Kidlat sa Silangan
- 1949: Ang Hiwaga ng Tulay na Bato
- 1949: Milyonarya - Delfin Glorioso
- 1950: 48 Oras - Ricardo
- 1950: Doble Cara
- 1950: Prinsipe Amante - Rodrigo
- 1950: Tigang na Lupa
- 1950: Sohrab at Rustum
- 1950: Ang Kampana ng San Diego
- 1951: Bayan O Pag-ibig
- 1951: Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya
- 1951: Haring Cobra - Felipe / Haring Cobra
- 1952: Dimas: The Sainted Robber - Dimas
- 1952: Romansa sa Nayon
- 1952: Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba
- 1952: Babaeng hampaslupa
- 1952: Irisan
- 1953: Sa Paanan ng Bundok - Ric
- 1954: Maala-Ala Mo Kaya? - Celso
- 1954: Dakilang Pgpapakasakit - Roberto
- 1954: Jack & Jill - Gardo
- 1954: Ikaw ang Buhay Ko
- 1954: Aristokrata
- 1955: Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
- 1955: El conde de Monte Carlo
- 1955: Higit sa Lahat[14] - Roberto
- 1955: Sonny Boy
- 1955: Iyung-Iyo
- 1955: Pandanggo ni Neneng
- 1955: Artista
- 1956: Lydia
- 1956: Apat na Kasaysayang Ginto - (First segment -"Ngayon at Kailan Man")
- 1956: Babaing Mandarambong
- 1956: Idolo
- 1956: Pampanggenya
- 1956: Gintong Pangarap
- 1957: Veronica
- 1957: Sino ang Maysala
- 1961: Dugo at Luha - (final film role)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Garcia, J., A Movie Quizbook, p. 107.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 75.
- ^ "The Philippine Presidency Project - Diosdado Macapagal". Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 76.
- ^ Garcia, J., A Movie Quizbook, pp. 108-109
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Garcia, J., A Movie Quizbook, p. 109.
- ^ Garcia, J., "A Movie Quizbook, p. 110
- ^ HOURS OF WATER. (1956, Jun 17). South China Sunday Post - Herald
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Star Studded Politics". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
- ^ Macapagal's first wife and de la Rosa's sister, Purita, died in 1942, and Macapagal remarried after the war.
- ^ "Rogelio de la Rosa - Philippine Senate Website". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 77.
- ^ Received FAMAS Best Actor Award
Sources[]
- Filipinos in History Vol. III. Manila, Philippines: National Historical Institute. 1996. pp. 75–77.
- Garcia, Jessie B. (2004). A Movie Album Quizbook. Iloilo City, Philippines: Erehwon Books & Magazine. pp. 202–203. ISBN 971-93297-0-X.
External links[]
- 1916 births
- 1986 deaths
- Ambassadors of the Philippines to the Netherlands
- Kapampangan people
- People from San Nicolas, Manila
- Senators of the 5th Congress of the Philippines
- Senators of the 4th Congress of the Philippines
- Candidates in the 1961 Philippine presidential election
- Filipino people of Chinese descent
- Filipino people of Spanish descent
- Filipino actor-politicians
- Male actors from Pampanga
- Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
- 20th-century Filipino male actors
- Far Eastern University alumni
- Filipino politicians of Chinese descent