Rosa Rosal,โข Beloved Philippine Actress and Humanitarian, Dies at 97
MANILA โข- Rosa Rosal, โa celebrated actress who transitionedโ into a lifetime ofโ dedicated โขhumanitarian work with the Philippine Red โCross,โค passed away today at โขthe age of 97.Known for herโ prolific career in Philippine cinema and her unwavering commitment to public service, โRosal leaves behind a legacy of compassion โand volunteerism.
Born Florence Lansang Danon,โค Rosal captivated audiencesโ for decades with roles in iconic films such as Himala ng Birhen (1947), Anak โขDalita (1956), Badjao (1957), Biyaya ng Lupa (1959), and โ Esperanza: โคThe Movie (1999). She received a Best Actress award โfromโ the Filipino Academy โfor Movie arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in 1955 forโ “Sonny Boy” and theโฃ FAMAS Internationalโ Prestige Award for Anak Dalita in 1956, which โalso won best picture โขat the Asian film Festival โinโ Hong Kong, earning a Presidential Citation fromโข President Ramon Magsaysay.โ A pioneer, Rosal successfully โcrossed overโข to โคtelevision inโ the 1960s, appearing in seriesโ like Balintataw and Iyan Ang Misis Ko. She later โhosted Kapwa โคko,โฃ Mahal Ko โ on GMA 7 inโ 1975โ and Damayan โ on Channelโข 4 in 1976.
However, Rosal’s impact extended far beyond the screen. She was a devoted โขvolunteer with the Philippine Red Cross as โthe 1950s, becoming aโ Boardโข of Governor in 1965 andโ remaining a member to the present. She tirelessly advocated for voluntary blood donation, helping โto raise โnational โawareness and โคinspiringโข countless Filipinos to give blood.โค
“Gov.Rosal โleaves โฃbehind โคa legacy of โgenuine โฃservice, dignity, and love for humanity, a legacy that willโ continue to guide the Philippine โRed cross and inspire generations โคof volunteers,” the Philippineโค Red โCrossโ stated.
richard Gordon, PRC’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,โ described Rosalโค as “a devoted and iconic volunteer whose life was defined by compassion and unwavering service.” He added, “Thru her tireless advocacy, she helped create a national consciousnessโ for โคvoluntary blood โdonation, inspiring countless filipinos โto give the gift ofโฃ life.”
Rosal’s dedication to humanitarian workโข was โrecognized with the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the โขOrder of the Golden Heart (grand Cross) inโฃ 2006, โฃpresented by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Sheโข was also โคhonored with the 2012 U.P. Gawad Plaridel for her contributions toโ the broadcasting industry.
Details regarding Rosal’s wake will โbe announced โขwhen finalized.