Carmen Rosales

Filipino actress (1917–1991)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal  family name is Constantino and the surname or paternal family name is Keller.

Carmen Rosales

Born|

Januaria Constantino Keller[1]

(1917-03-03)March 3, 1917

Rosales, Pangasinan, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands, United States

Died| December 11, 1991(1991-12-11) (aged 74)[2]

Mandaluyong, Philippines

Occupation| Actress
Years active| 1938–1965

Januaria Constantino Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991), better known by her stage name Carmen Rosales and by her nickname Mameng, was a noted Filipina actress and World War II guerilla fighter.[3] Her acting career spanned the decades immediately before, during, and after World War II. Her tremendous commercial success and wide fan base before the war led to her being considered the original superstar of Philippine movies.[4] Her stage name, Carmen Rosales, was taken from her hometown of Rosales in the province of Pangasinan.

## Early life

[edit]

Januaria Constantino Keller was born in Rosales, Pangasinan, to Pantaleón Keller Rosales, her father who was half-Swedish and Filipina mother, Pilar Constantino y de la Cruz, who was born April 13, 1872, in Quingua, Bulacan.

She was first married to Ramon Navales who was killed in the Second World War, and had a son with him named Rene.[2] After the war ended, she married Jose “Peping” Puyat from the wealthy Puyat Clan with whom she had one child named Cesar Rosales Puyat.[5]

## Acting career

[edit]

Keller worked as dressmaker prior to entering acting.[2] She began her career in the radio and was proclaimed "Queen of Radio" in 1936.

As Carmen Rosales, she made her film debut was in Mahiwagang Binibini (1938) for Diwata Pictures, based on the zarzuela play of Atang dela Rama titled Ang Kiri. It was followed by Arimunding-Munding (1939) in her first leading role opposite Jose Padilla Jr for Excelsior Films before her contract was rescinded. When her friend brought her to Norberto Quisumbing, she was rejected for not having the bearing of an actress.[6][citation needed]

Sampaguita Pictures signed her up in 1939. She was paired with Rogelio dela Rosa in Takip Silim released during the Christmas season of 1939, and of which started their loveteam. They made a total of 12 films under Sampaguita Pictures. After the World War II, she starred in Gerilyera (1946) with Celso Baltazar. Gerilyera was followed by Kaaway ng Bayan (1947) with Leopoldo Salcedo, which made Rosales the most sought-after actress of Philippine Movies. Afterward, she chose to be a freelancer.[7]

In 1949, she became the Philippines' highest-paid movie star when LVN Pictures offered her the unprecedented sum of P45,000 to team up again with Rogelio dela Rosa in Kampanang Ginto, followed by Camelia, then Sipag at Yaman with Jose Padilla, Jr. and Batalyon Trece with Jaime dela Rosa. Among her unforgettable roles included the spurned lover of Rogelio dela Rosa in Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) and a club-singer in Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig (1955).

She received her first FAMAS Award in 1954 for her role in Inspirasyon opposite Van de Leon. She was similarly awarded in 1960 for playing a strict matron in Estela Mondragon.

She garnered fame playing a hacendera in Pablo Gomez's version of MN (1954). Her last public appearance was in 1987 in Inday Badiday's Eye to Eye television program, after which she retired from acting and public life.[8]

## World War II guerrilla activities

[edit]

Her husband Ramon was killed by Japanese forces early in the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines during World War II. As a result, she decided to join a guerrilla group and fight the Japanese. She joined the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon and became a sharpshooter. She was known for wearing a false mustache during guerrilla raids, in an effort to disguise herself.[7] However, the Japanese were able to persuade her to star in the 1944 film Tatlong Maria after they threatened to massacre a village in Pangasinan if she refused.[9]

## Death

[edit]

She died on December 11, 1991, of kidney failure[citation needed] in Mandaluyong.[2] She is interred at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

## Legacy

[edit]

A barrio in Rosales, Pangasinan was named after her. It is now currently divided into two barangays, Carmen East and Carmen West.[2]

## Filmography

[edit]

* 1939 - Mahiwagang Binibini
* 1939 - Arimunding-Arimunding
* 1939 - Takip-Silim
* 1940 - Senorita
* 1940 - Lambingan
* 1940 - Diwa ng Awit
* 1940 - Colegiala
* 1941 - Carmen
* 1941 - Princesita
* 1941 - Panambitan
* 1941 - Tampuhan
* 1941 - Palikero
* 1941 - Lolita
* 1944 - Liwayway ng Kalayaan
* 1946 - Probinsiyana
* 1946 - Guerilyera
* 1947 - Kaaway ng Bayan
* 1947 - Si, Si...Senorito
* 1947 - Mameng...Iniibig Kita
* 1947 - Ang Kamay ng Diyos
* 1947 - Hele-hele bago Quiere
* 1947 - 24 na Pag-ibig
* 1948 - Ang Selosa
* 1948 - Hindi Kita Malimot
* 1949 - Kampanang Ginto
* 1949 - Carmencita Mia
* 1949 - Simpatika
* 1949 - Camelia
* 1949 - Sipag ay Yaman
* 1949 - Batalyon XIII
* 1950 - Ang Bombero
* 1950 - Ang Magpapawid
* 1951 - Nanay ko
* 1951 - Anak ko
* 1951 - Babae...Babae at Babae Pa
* 1951 - Huling Concierto
* 1951 - Walang Kapantay
* 1953 - Rosa Villa
* 1953 - May Umaga Pang Darating
* 1953 - Inspirasyon (FAMAS Best Actress)
* 1954 - Maala-Ala Mo Kaya?
* 1954 - Matandang Dalaga
* 1954 - MN
* 1954 - Luha ng Birhen
* 1955 - Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
* 1955 - Uhaw na Pag-ibig
* 1955 - R.O.T.C.
* 1955 - Iyung-Iyo
* 1956 - Lydia
* 1959 - Sandra
* 1959 - Pitong Pagsisisi
* 1959 - Debutante
* 1959 - Baby Face
* 1959 - Vicky
* 1959 - Esmeralda
* 1960 - Estela Mondragon
* 1960 - Kaming Makasalanan
* 1960 - Tatlong Magdalena
* 1960 - Limang Misteryo ng Krus
* 1961 - Mother Dearest
* 1961 - Octavia
* 1961 - Halik sa Lupa
* 1961 - Dayukdok
* 1962 - The Big Broadcast
* 1962 - Mama's Boy
* 1962 - Sugat sa Balikat
* 1963 - Sosayting Dukha
* 1963 - The Big Show
* 1964 - Binibiro Lamang Kita
* 1964 - Anak ni Kamagong
* 1964 - The Dolly Sisters
* 1965 - Gintong Recuerdo
* 1965 - Apat na Kagandahan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "RP showbiz aglow with 'Tisoy,' 'Tisay'". Manila Bulletin. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
2. ^ a b c d e "A Warrior Is Born: How Carmen Rosales, The Queen of Philippine Cinema, Became a Guerrilla Fighter and Sharpshooter". Esquire. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
3. ^ Acosta, Zofiya; Bulan, Amirielle Anne (March 8, 2019). "Women in Philippine history you should know about". NOLISOLI. Hinge Inquirer Group. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
4. ^ Llanes, Rommel R (September 4, 2009). "The Originals in Philippine movies". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
5. ^ "Today in Philippine history, March 3, 1917, Carmen Rosales, a noted actress and World War II guerilla fighter was born in Plaridel, Bulacan". November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
6. ^ "Film # 007773053 Image Film # 007773053; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSMN-8GDB — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
7. ^ a b Maceda, Marichu (March 6, 2005). "Carmen Rosales: The Genuine Superstar". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
8. ^ "Strong is Sexy, According to These Iconic Pinay Actresses". Esquire. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
9. ^ Pecho, Ernie (March 13, 2005). "Carmen Rosales, movie queen and war heroine". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Carmen Rosales at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

FAMAS Award for Best Actress

1951–1959|

* Nena Cardenas (1951)
* Anita Linda (1952)
* Alicia Vergel (1953)
* Carmen Rosales (1954)
* Gloria Romero (1955)
* Rosa Rosal (1956)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1957)
* Paraluman (1958)
* Rita Gomez (1959)

1960–1969|

* Charito Solis (1960)
* Charito Solis (1961)
* Tessie Quintana (1962)
* Perla Bautista (1963)
* Charito Solis (1964)
* Marlene Daudén (1965)
* Barbara Perez (1966)
* Amalia Fuentes (1967)
* Marlene Daudén (1968)
* Charito Solis (1969)

1970–1979|

* Gloria Sevilla (1970)
* Rita Gomez (1971)
* Celia Rodriguez (1972)
* Boots Anson-Roa & Vilma Santos (1973)
* Gloria Sevilla (1974)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1975)
* Elizabeth Oropesa (1976)
* Nora Aunor (1977)
* Susan Roces (1978)
* Susan Roces (1979)

1980–1989|

* Nora Aunor (1980)
* Amy Austria (1981)
* Vilma Santos (1982)
* Vilma Santos (1983)
* Charito Solis (1984)
* Nora Aunor & Sharon Cuneta (1985)
* Vivian Velez (1986)
* Dina Bonnevie (1987)
* Vilma Santos (1988)
* Vilma Santos (1989)

1990–1999|

* Nora Aunor (1990)
* Nora Aunor (1991)
* Dawn Zulueta (1992)
* Lorna Tolentino (1993)
* Dawn Zulueta (1994)
* Snooky Serna (1995)
* Maricel Soriano (1996)
* Sharon Cuneta (1997)
* Maricel Soriano (1998)
* Nida Blanca (1999)

2000–2009|

* Elizabeth Oropesa (2000)
* Gloria Romero (2001)
* Lorna Tolentino (2002)
* Aleck Bovick (2003)
* Ara Mina (2004)
* Claudine Barretto (2005)
* Claudine Barretto (2006)
* Judy Ann Santos (2007)
* Lorna Tolentino (2008)
* Heart Evangelista (2009)

2010–2019|

* Lovi Poe (2010)
* Ai-Ai delas Alas (2011)
* Anne Curtis (2012)
* Angel Locsin (2013)
* KC Concepcion (2014)
* Toni Gonzaga (2015)
* Andi Eigenmann (2016)
* Angelica Panganiban (2017)
* Agot Isidro (2018)
* Nadine Lustre (2019)

2020–2029|

* Janine Gutierrez (2020)
* Alessandra De Rossi (2021)
* Charo Santos-Concio (2022)
* Nadine Lustre (2023)
* Kathryn Bernardo (2024)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States

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