In a world where even the greatest beauties do come and go,
one image continues to linger despite the passing of time. Dina Bonnevie may
have reached her peak and passed her prime, yet, to this day, she remains one
of the most iconic actresses ever to grace the Philippine cinema. Perhaps, none
could outdo, let alone match the bida-contrabida
portrayals which she showcased in most of her films. Indeed, it is easy to grab
the audience’s pity by playing helpless heroines, so much more endure the
enmity of the masses by being the villain. But then, not all are gifted enough
to play both roles all in one film. That’s acting the Dina Bonnevie style.
Famed for her exotic beauty that endures to this day, Bonnevie is equally
praised for her intelligence and quick wit, an attribute that not too many of
her contemporaries, or even stars of succeeding generations, are not quite
known for.
Hearing the name Rosa Rosal denotes an impassioned public servant who lives her life for the benefit of others. But more than a civic icon, Miss Rosa Rosal is also considered one of Philippine Cinema’s formidable legends whose career never faltered simply because her true luster shines from within.
Born Rose Danon in 1931, her father was of Irish-Egyptian ancestry while her mother was a native of Pampangan Her half-brother, Don Danon, was a double of Rudolf Valentino.
Initially working as a physician’s secretary, Miss Rosal was spotted by Luis Nolasco, who cast her in a minor role in Fort Santiago (1946). It was during that time that she earned her screen name Rosa Rosal – the Filipino for rose and gardenia, respectively.
Her beauty did not go unnotice. With her exotic looks, thanks to her French-Jewish ancestry, she seemed to become a mixture of Hollywood’s Hedy Lamar and Dorothy Lamour, all while displaying Rita Hayworth's "love goddess" presence and Barbara Stanwyck's irrepressible femme fatale performance.
In 1947, she was cast by Nolasco on her breakthrough film, Kamagong. Her performance drew the attention not just of the film studios but also of the crowd. In 1949, LVN, then the country’s top film studio, offered her a long-term contract, and cast her in her first starring performance in the comedy hit Biglang Yaman.
Throughout the 50’s, Miss Rosal's career peaked as alternated between villainous, bitchy roles, and plum leading parts.
Legendary for being the “femme fatale of the Philippine Cinema,” Miss Rosal was the screen's most glamorous contravida who brought hell to the lives of LVN leading leading ladies in such films as Sumpaan, Ang Lumang Simbahan (1949), Prinsesa Basahan (1949), and Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa (1954). She was in every bit the Golden screen's ultimate bitch, but her bitchiness did not go beyond the theaters. As a matter of fact, she was the antithesis of real-life glamor-girls.
Where most stars of her era were seen partying and club-hopping at night, she contented herself in attending night classes at Cosmopolitan College, where the late Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas referred to her as his kamag-aral. Yes, she pursued a college degree in Business Administration, though she was not able to attend her graduation ceremony because she had a commitment that time. And to even make her different from her fellow stars, she seldom attended parties. Instead, she busied her self with her 8-5 daily schedule and her work in the Philippine National Red Cross.
While prim and proper in person, Miss Rosal had no qualms in playing nasty roles and prostitutes, as well as wearing bathing suits and skimpy attires - then considered a suicide to an actress' career. But Miss Rosal did it well and superb! Her excellent acting and ethereal look, plus her growing popularity as a Red Cross volunteer, all built up her image as a popular icon.
She would have remained as the screen's most hated performer until she was cast by LVN as the lead in three of it's spectacular "super productions," Lamberto Avellana's Anak Dalita (1956) and Badjao (1957) and the FAMAS-winning Biyaya ng Lupa (1959), considered by critics as three of the Philippine Cinema's greatest films.
In Anak Dalita (1956), Miss Rosal convincingly played as the prostitute with the heart of gold, opposite Tony Santos. In Badjao (1957), she was superb as the Tausug princess torn between her loyalty her tribe and love for her Badjao husband. And for Biyaya ng Lupa (1959), she was a mater dolorosa who tilled the soil and grew lanzones to raise her family.
For her compelling performance in Sonny Boy (1955), Miss Rosal won the FAMAS Award for Best Actress and for the international success of Anak Dalita, she worthily received a FAMAS Award for International Prestige: she was herself the model of that most coveted trophy, considered to be the country’s equivalent of Hollywood’s Oscar.
By the 60s, it seemed that Miss Rosal’s film career was nearing its off as she devoted more and more of her time volunteering at Red Cross and appearing on the relatively new medium – television. The steady rise of Bomba films also wore here off and she only lent acting ability, though scarcely, to films of worthy choice and juicy roles.
In one of her rare performances in the 1970s and 1980s, she was touching as the embittered tenant in Sakada (1976) and earned her third FAMAS nomination for her compelling, supporting performance in the family drama Ang Lahat ng Ito Pati Langit (1989).
Miss Rosal is considered to be the world's longest serving Red Cross volunteer. She started out serving the organization in 1949 after an eye-opening, near-death situation of a boy she saw at a hospital in Manila. From then on, she alternated between the studio and Red Cross. While earning the reputation of being one of the country's screen queen, Miss Rosal quietly dedicated her life to charity and service to her fellowmen. Lending her legendary and iconic star presence to fund-raising activities and speaking engagements, Miss Rosal pooled millions of pesos for the Red Cross and helped thousands in need.
For her humanitarian works, she was awarded with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1999 - Asia's equivalent of The Nobel. In 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bestowed on her, for life, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Heart, the highest honor given to a civilian.
These days, Miss Rosal seldom appear on TV or in films. However, her presence, as a star and as a civil servant, is always felt simply because she is a star not just on films, but most of all, in real life.
FILMOGRAPHY:
Since she broke into show business as an extra in 1946, Miss Rosa Rosal has made dozens of film appearances - leading and support, alike. Here is a partial list of some of Miss Rosa Rosal's films, with Biglang Yaman, Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya, Dagohoy, Sonny Boy, Anak Dalita, Badjao, Biyaya ng Lupa, Sakada, and Lahat ng Ito Pati na ang Langit considered as the films where she delivered her most powerful acting.
1947 -Kamagong
1947 -Ang Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo
1947 -Hagibis
1948 -Huling Dalangin
1948 -Apat na Dalangin
1948 -Hampas ng Langit
1948 -Sumpaan
1949 -Ang Lumang Simbahan
1949 -Maria Beles
1949 -Prinsesa Basahan
1949 -Virginia
1949 -Biglang Yaman
1950 -Mahal mo ba ako?
1950 -Sohrab at Rustum
1951 -Reyna Elena
1951 -Bayan O Pag-ibig
1951 -Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya
1951 -Amor Mio
1952 -Matador
1952 -Correccional
1952 -Aklat ng Buhay
1952 -Babaeng Hampaslupa
1953 -Kuwintas ng Pasakit
1953 -Mga Pusong May Lason
1953 -Makabuhay
1953 -Dagohoy
1954 -Dakilang Pgpapakasakit
1954 -Donato
1954 -Mabangong Kandungan
1955 -Hagad
1955 -Sonny Boy (FAMAS Award, Best Actress)
1956 -Anak-Dalita (FAMAS Award, International Prestige; Best Film, Asia-Pacific Film Festival)
1956 -May Araw ka Rin
1956 -Medalyong Perlas
1956 -Big Shot
1956 -Higit sa Korona
1957 -Badjao (FAMAS Award, International Prestige; Best Film, Tokyo Film Festival)
1957 -Sanga-Sangang Puso
1958 - Faithful
1959 – Biyaya ng Lupa (FAMAS Award, Best Picture; FAMAS Award Nominee, Best Actress)
1959 – Cry Freedom
1964 – Ethan
1966 – Ako’y Magbabalik
1976 – Sakada
1976 -Wanakosey
1986 – Nakagapos na Puso
1989 – Ang Lahat ng Ito Pati na ang Langit (FAMAS Award Nominee, Best Supporting Actress)
1990 – Pangako ng Puso
1994 – Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story
1999 – Esperanza: The Movie
2006 – Wrinkles
(If you know about any of Miss Rosa Rosal's film that is not included on this list, please feel free to let me know that I may include it on this list.)
Miss Rosa Rosal's breakthrough film, Biglang Yaman (1949)
Sohrab at Rustum (1950)
Miss Rosal plays the prostitute with a noble heart in the touching and critically- and internationally-acclaimed "super-production" Anak Dalita (1956)
In another screen classic, Miss Rosal convincingly played as a Tausug princess in Badjao (1957)
Playing as a long-suffering lanzones farmer's wife in Biyaya ng Lupa (1959), Miss Rosal worthily earned a FAMAS nomination for Best Actress. This super-production was awarded with the year's Best Picture honor.
By the 1970s, Miss Rosal may have appeared less and less in film, but here, as a peasant in Sakada (1976), she has proven that a noteworthy performance is never out of season. Hers, as well as the film, was widely-applauded by critics.
For her turn in Lahat ng Ito Pati na ang Langit (1989), Miss Rosal earned her third FAMAS nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress.
The movie industry in the Philippines has been here for more than a century. And for this, it is simply fitting to give honor to some of the greatest stars who each did their share in molding this industry, for making us laugh, cry, giggle, and even go under our seats.
The 10 Greatest Stars of Today
Back off muna sina Kim, Gerald, Marianne, o Dingdong. Though they shine the most right now, I consider only those who have been in the showbusiness for at least five years and gained considerable staying power. I also gave consideration to their awards, number of projects, and most of all, box office allure. I have eventually chosen five actors and five actresses to come up with this list. And here they are:
ACTORS
Piolo Pascual Having risen from obscurity, this hunky-tunk managed to get enough attention with his powerful performance in the long-running soap opera Esperanza in the late 1990s. Paring up with Judy Santos in Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka (2001-2003), Pascual became one-half of the most recognizable love team of Philippine Showbusiness, with box-office success from their films Kahit Isang Saglit (2000), Bakit ‘Di Totohanin (2001), and Don’t Give Up on Us (2003). Going solo from the Piolo-Juday tandem, he still managed to attain success, especially in Dekada 70 (2002) and Milan (2004), the latter becoming one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. For his performance in Dekada 70, Pascual won best supporting from FAMAS, FAP, Star, and URIAN Awards, making him one of the very few people to have won four major film awards in the country. He again won the FAMAS for Best Actor for Milan.
John Lloyd Cruz
Hailed as one of 2009’s Most Powerful Celebrity by Yes! Magazine, John Lloyd Cruz successfully transitioned from his boy-next-door image into becoming one of the most critically acclaimed and bankable actors of his generation. Named as 2009’s Box Office King, Cruz was renowned for his on-screen partnership with Bea Alonzo. Their films, My First Romance (2003), Now That I Have (2004), Close to You (2006), All About Love (2006), and One More Chance (2007) made him a fixture in the Philippine Showbusiness. He was also partnered with Sarah Geronimo in A Very Special Love (2008) and You Changed My Life (2009), the latter becoming the highest grossing Filipino film of all time at P230.44 million. Cruz won the Famas Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Aga Muhlach’s brother in Dubai (2006).
Richard Guttierez
One of the most recognizable faces of the decade, Richard Guttierez is the son of 60s matinee idol Eddie Guttierez and talent manager Annabel Rama. He is the younger brother of fellow actor Ton-Ton Guttierez, beauty queen/talk show host/model/actress Ruffa Guttierez, and twin of celebrity host Raymond Guttierez. Casting himself out from the shadows of his already-established family, Guttierez earlier gained fame in television as the lead in the top-rating Mulawin, opposite Angel Locsion. The series’ popularity eventually paired them together in its movie version. After Mulawin, Guttierez followed up his success with Sugo (2005), Captain Barbell (2006-2007), Lupin (2007), Kamandag (2007-2008), Asero (2008), and Zorro (2009). He also top-billed financially successful films, like Gua Ai Di (2006), and For The First Time (2008).
Jericho Rosales
Though Jericho Rosales’ career is full of hits and misses, his image in the Philippine showbiz industry is still strong enough to make him one of the decade’s biggest stars. His appearance opposite Kristine Hermosa in the astonishingly successful soap opera Pangako sa Yo, which became the country’s highest rating drama series ever, established him as one of the primetime princes of Philippine television. With Hermosa, he also starred in Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas and in films like Forevermore and Ngayong Nandito Ka. Though his career spiraled down after his break-up with Hermosa, he successfully rebounded with Kahit Isang SAglit and I Love Betty Betty La Fea. For his performance in Nasaan Ka Man, he tied with Piolo Pascual for Best Actor during the Star Awards and earned a Famas nomination. Dennis TrilloDennis Trillo’s meteoric rise to fame is one of the rarest in Philippine entertainment industry. He became an overnight star with his critically acclaimed performance as a crossdressing homosexual in the World War II saga Aishite Imasu (2004), which won him the Famas Award for Best Supporting Actor. He eventually found success as the leading man in Mulawin (2004), Darna (2005), Etheria (2005), and Zaido (2007).
ACTRESSES
Judy Ann Santos
Dubbed as the Philippines’ Young Superstar, Judy Ann Santos started her career as a child actress in such films as Silang mga Ligaw na Sisiw (1988) and Nasaan Ka Inay (1988). She later gained nationwide recognition in the long-running Cinderella/Prince-and-the-Pauper-like soap opera, Mara Clara (1991-1996). With he role as the eponymous heroine in Esperanza (1996-1999), Santos, became one of the most promising actresses of her generation. Eventually, she gained popularity and success with her television and movie performances, making her one of the most bankable stars in the Philippines. Her films Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko (with Fernando Poe, Jr, 1998),Esperanza The Movie (1999), Kahit Isang Saglit (2000), Bakit Di Totohanin (2001), ‘Til There Was You (2003), Aishite Imasu (2004) and Don’t Give Up On Us (2006), were all winners at the box office. The record-breaking success of Kasal, Kasali, Kasali (2006) spawned a sequel in 2007 and won Santos numerous awards, including the Famas for Best Actress (she was the only actress other than screen legend Gloria Romero to win a Famas for a comedy performance).
Claudine Barretto
Known as the Teleserye Queen of the Philippines, Claudine Barretto’s career illustriously began in the early 90s, often appearing as a teen actress in a number of television series and films. Her big break came after she was cast as the struggling heiress in the hit TV drama, Mula Sa Puso (1996-1999). Her triumph continued with like Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999-2001), Sa Dulo ng WAlang Hanggang (2001-2003), and Iisa Pa Lamang (2008). She appeared in numerous financially and critically lauded films, including Anak (2000), opposite Vilma Santos, Got to Believe in Magic (2002)opposite Rico Yan, Milan (2004) with Piolo Pascual, and Dubai (2005), with Aga Muhlach and John Lloyd Cruz. She was crowned box office queen of the Philippine in 2003 and again in 2006, after she co-starred with Kris Aquino in Sukob, the highest grossing Filipino horror movie. She won consecutive Famas Awards for Milan (2004) and Nasaan Ka Man (2005), a rare feat for a Filipino actress.
Ai Ai delas Alas
The Comedy Concert Queen of Philippine showbusiness never fails to keep her audience rolling and laughing. After more than a decade of appearing in supporting yet scene-stealing roles, Ai Ai gained ultimate success with her first starring role in Tanging Ina (2003). She ultimately followed it up with her hit album Ang Tanging Ina Nyo, and sold out concerts. She also appeared in commercially successful comedy films, like Ang Cute ng Ina Mo (2006) and Ang Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat (2008), the latter becoming the second highest grossing Filipino Film and highest grossing Filipino comedy film of all time.
Kris Aquino
The indomitable Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino has been a successful talkshow/gameshow host, actress, celebrity endorser, and recording artist. She is Yes! Magazine’s second most powerful celebrity in the country for 2009 and was thrice crowned box office queen of Philippine Cinema for her roles in Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo (1990), Feng Shui (2004), and Sukob (2006). She was a fifteen-time winner of the Star Awards for Television and winner of Famas Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mano Po (2002). For her television efforts, she appeared in top rating TV programs like Hiram (2004) and Patayin sa SIndak si Barbara (2008). She is also the long-running host of The Buzz.
Kristine Hermosa Considered one of the modern goddesses of Philippine showbusiness for her fair beauty and composed acting, Christine Hermosa successfully moved from teeny-bopper roles into serious drama at the turn of the decade. She became an instant star after she portrayed Ina in the phenomenally successful drama Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2000-2002) opposite heartthrob Jericho Rosales. The success of their tandem eventually paired them again in Sana’y Wala Nang WAkas (2003-2004). Hermosa also starred in memorable films like Forevermore (2002) and Ngayong Nandito Ka (2003). Perhaps, her most enduring film role to date is Faye, the fairy wife of Vic Sotto in the Enteng Kabisote film series (2004-2007).
