Rogelio de la Rosa
Rogelio de la Rosa (November 12, 1916 - November 10, 1986) was a dapper leading man in Philippine movies during the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema. His debonair and pleasing personality made him one of the Philippines' most beloved actors.
He was also one of the first movie actors who lent his prestige in politics. Elected to the Senate of the Philippines in 1957 he paved the way for other Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians such as Senator Eddie Ilarde, Senator Ramon Revilla, and former President Joseph Estrada.
Early life
Born in Lubao, Pampanga, Dela Rosa was the brother of President Diosdado Macapagal’s first wife.
As a teenager, De la Rosa regularly performed in zarzuelas as a villain. At the age of thirteen, he was cast by his uncle, a film director, in a starring role in the silent film Ligaw na Bulaklak opposite Rosa del Rosario. However, he did not then engage in a regular film career, opting instead to attend college at the Far Eastern University (FEU). He was an excellent collegiate athlete and debater.
Film stardom
Dela Rosa was gaining popularity as a leading man in films prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, appearing as leading man to such actresses as Rosa del Rosario, and his perennial love team partner Carmen Rosales. It was during the Japanese occupation that he first attained some measure of prominence, as a bodabil performer at the Life Theater in Manila. After the war, he emerged as a star, perhaps the most popular film actor of the first decade of the post-war. He rarely deviated from romantic leading roles, often cast in dramas opposite actresses such as Carmen Rosales, Paraluman, and Corazon Noble.
By the mid-1950s, Dela Rosa had reached the pinnacle of his film career. His suave and dashing personality, coupled with his supreme acting skills made him comparable to such great Hollywood leading man Cary Grant.
He had been cast as the first Filipino actor to star in an American-produced movie, The Avenger. His 1956 role in Higit sa Lahat with Emma Alegre earned him the Best Actor trophy at the 1956 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards, as well as a citation as Southeast Asia's Best Actor at the Hongkong Film Festival.
Filmography
1932 – Ligaw na Bulaklak
1932 – Tianak
1932 - Ulong Inasnan
1933 - Nahuling Pagsisisi
1933 - Ang Ganid
1934 - Krus na Bato
1934 - Sawing Palad
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 - Inang Mahal
1938 - Makiling
1938 - Sanggumay
1938 - Ang Magmamani
1938 - Bago Lumubog ang Araw
1938 - Mga Sugat ng Puso
1938 - Bukang Liwayway
1938 - Bahay-Kubo
1938 - Diwata ng Karagatan
1939 - Magkaisang Landas
1939 - Lagot Na Kuwintas
1939 - Pasang Krus
1939 - Florante at Laura
1939 - Dalisay
1939 - Ang Magsasampaguita
1939 - Takip-Silim
1940 - Senorita
1940 - Magbalik ka, Hirang
1940 - Gunita
1940 - Katarungan
1940 - Lambingan
1940 - Diwa ng Awit
1940 - Estrellita
1940 - Colegiala
1940 - Nang Mahawi ang Ulap
1941 - Panambitan
1941 - Tarhata
1941 - Tampuhan
1941 - Ang Maestra
1941 - Serenata sa Nayon
1942 - Caballero
1942 - Anong Ganda Mo
1944 - Perfidia
1946 - Garrison 13
1946 - Angelus
1946 - Dalawang Daigdig
1946 - Tagumpay
1946 - Honeymoon
1946 - Ang Prinsipeng Hindi Tumatawa
1947 - Sarung Banggi
1947 - Backpay
1947 - Ang Lalaki
1947 - Ang Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo
1948 - Sa Tokyo Ikinasal
1948 - Bulaklak at Paruparo
1948 - Ang Vengador
1948 - Hampas ng Langit
1949 - Kampanang Ginto
1949 - Milyonarya
1949 - Bandilang Basahan
1949 - Camelia
1949 - Kidlat sa Silangan
1950 - Ang Hiwaga ng Tulay na Bato
1950 - 48 Oras
1950 - Doble Cara
1950 - Ang Kampana ng San Diego
1950 - Prinsipe Amante
1950 - Tigang na Lupa
1950 - Sohrab at Rustum
1951 - Bayan O Pag-ibig
1951 - Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya
1951 - Haring Cobra
1952 - Irisan
1952 - Romansa sa Nayon
1953 - Sa Paanan ng Bundok
1954 - Maala-Ala Mo Kaya?
1954 - Dakilang Pgpapakasakit
1954 - Jack & Jill
1954 - Ikaw ang Buhay Ko
1954 - Aristokrata
1955 - Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
1955 - Artista
1955 - Higit sa Lahat - WON 1956 FAMAS BEST ACTOR AWARD
1955 - Sonny Boy
1955 - Iyung-Iyo
1955 - Pandanggo ni Neneng
1956 - Babaing Mandarambong
1956 - El conde de Monte Carlo
1956 - Idolo
1956 - Pampanggenya
1956 - Gintong Pangarap
1957 - Sino ang Maysala
1957 – Veronica
Political career
Dela Rosa was elected to the Senate in 1957. As a Senator, he was active in issues concerning fisheries and agriculture, particular concerns within his home province of Pampanga, emerging as a strong advocate for nationalization of those industries. 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.
After four years in the Senate, Dela Rosa ran 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 (the widower Macapagal having remarried). Then shortly before election day, Dela Rosa withdrew from the election. The reasons for his withdrawal remain a mystery. According to some authorized sources, Dela 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. [1] Nonetheless, rumors soon spread that de la Rosa had been paid by the Macapagal camp to withdraw from the race, the money coming from the controversial American businessman Harry Stonehill. [2] Whatever the motivation, Dela Rosa's gambit proved successful, and Macapagal was easily elected over Garcia.
As a diplomat and his later years
After the expiration of his term in 1963, Dela Rosa would never be elected again to public office. Instead, Dela 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. During the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, Dela 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.
After retiring from the diplomatic corps, Dela Rosa made his last foray into politics by unsuccessfully running in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa parliamentary elections. 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.
Dela Rosa was married twice. His second wife, Lota Delgado was a former leading lady of his in films.
External links
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1340316/ Rogelio de la Rosa. IMDb. July 2, 2020
- http://senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/rogelio_dela_rosa.htm Rogelio de la Rosa. Senate of the Philippines. July 2, 2020
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rogelio_de_la_Rosa_portrait.jpg Wikimedia Commons/National Library of the Philippines (distributed by Philippine Presidential Museum and Library)