Carmen Rosales

Carmen Rosales (born Januaria Constantino Keller; March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991) was a Filipino actress whose career spanned nearly three decades. Known for her roles in romantic musicals, she was the highest paid movie star and one of the major box-office draws during the pre-war and post-war period.

Born in Rosales, Pangasinan, she began her career after winning Miss Radio in 1936 and expanded into acting through Mahiwagang Binibini (1939), her feature film debut. Rosales auditioned for film roles at LVN Pictures but was dismissed. A smaller film outfit took her in and produced her second film Arimunding-Munding (1939). Later that year, Sampaguita Pictures signed her and rose to prominence opposite Rogelio de la Rosa in Takipsilim, and Señorita the following year—two of twelve films they both starred in.

Rosales' film career was interrupted following the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Ramon Navales, her first husband, was killed by the Japanese forces which led her to join the guerrilla movement as a sharpshooter. Her career peaked during the post-war era, with starring roles in blockbuster films such as Guerilyera, Probinsyana (both in 1946), Kampanang Ginto (1949), Inspirasyon (1953) for which she won a FAMAS Award for Best Actress, Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig (1955), and Maalaala Mo Kaya (1956). Rosales continued appearing in films until her retirement in 1965 and maintained a reclusive lifestyle for most part of her life until her death in 1991.

Early life Carmen Rosales was born as Januaria Constantino Keller on March 3, 1917, in Rosales, Pangasinan, to Pilar Constantino y de la Cruz and Pantaleon Keller, who was of Swedish descent. The youngest of four children, Rosales graduated from the Maffei Fashion School with a major in Decorative Arts and Dressmaking in 1934. While working as a dressmaker and instructor, she was approached by radio scriptwriter Lina Flor, who encouraged her to pursue a career in acting.

Film career Breakthrough, 1936–1941 Having previously worked as a dressmaker, Rosales began her career as a singer and competed in popular radio shows where she won Miss Radio in 1936. She branched into acting onscreen and appeared in her first feature film Mahiwagang Binibini (1939), where she also played double to Atang de la Rama. Seeking to advance her career, she applied for a film part at LVN Pictures but was rejected by studio executives who claimed she had "no profile". A smaller film outfit, Excelsior Films, subsequently took her in and starred in her first leading role opposite Jose Padilla Jr. in the musical drama Arimunding-Munding (1939). Later in 1939, she signed a contract with Sampaguita Pictures and rose to prominence when she was paired with Rogelio de la Rosa in Takipsilim (1939), her first feature film under the film outfit.

Following the success of their first teamup in Takipsilim, she starred opposite de la Rosa in four feature films the following year. Senorita, which according to The Philippine Star writer Ricky Lo, launched their loveteam into stardom and became "the biggest pre-war box office hit". She next starred in two films; one was in Gerardo de Leon's Panambitan opposite de la Rosa and later that year with Padilla Jr. in Lolita. Directed by American filmmaker Bert Covit, the film was one of the last major films shown in Manila before the city was occupied by Japanese military. During this period, she maintained a prolific schedule with major studio releases.

Following a long conflict with Rogelio de la Rosa, during which she refused to speak or worked with him, due to disputes over salary and status, The following year, she starred opposite Danilo Montes in Ang Magpapawid. The film, which was produced by Royal Productions owned by Fernando Poe Sr., was a commercial success and reportedly "bailed the tottering studio out of its financial crisis."

In 1951, Rosales was paired with Robert Neil in the romantic musical Babae, Babae at Babae Pa!. Directed by Lorenzo P. Tuells, the film was also distributed in the United States by Picture Associates of Hollywood, California with the title Nothing But Women, an English-language version of the film. In 1953, she starred in the romantic drama film Inspirasyon. For her performance, she was awarded the FAMAS Award for Best Actress. The same year, she took a two-year leave of absence to travel to the United States, reportedly due to personal relationship strains with Carding Cruz. Her extended absence led Sampaguita Pictures to reassign several roles intended for her—including Sino ang Maysala?, Veronica, and Sonata—to Paraluman. She returned to acting in 1959 through the romantic drama Sandra, her third and final film with Leopoldo Salcedo.

In 1961, Rosales was cast as Hanna Quintos, an ageing movie star in Octavia starring Lolita Rodriguez in the title role.

World War II Guerilla fighter, 1942–1945

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the film industry was disrupted and completely halted production. Following the death of her first husband, Ramon Navales, who was killed by the Japanese forces, she joined the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) guerrilla movement. Operating primarily in Calabarzon region and Laguna, she disguised herself with a false mustache during raids and was reportedly involved in the killing of a Makapili in Santa Rosa.

Rosales retreated to Silang, Cavite to escape capture, but her location was ultimately compromised. She was reportedly pressured to star in the film and accepted the role only after being threatened that her refusal would lead to a massacre of civilians in her home province. In 1944, the Japanese authorities sponsored the production of Gerardo de Leon's Tatlong Maria, which was based on Jose Esperanza Cruz' novel of the same name and was adapted to screen by Tsutomu Sawamura.

Personal life and death Rosales worked at the radio station KZRH before becoming an actress. There she met her first husband, Ramon Navales, with whom she had a son, Reynaldo "Rene" Navales.

Following her final film appearance in 1965, Rosales retired from the film industry and maintained a reclusive lifestyle. She avoided public appearances, photographs, and refused interviews for both print and television,

Legacy and honors

Carmen was bigger than life, a star of the magnitude of Hollywood greats Greta Garbo, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn. — Marichu Maceda — The Philippine Star (2005) She was voted the most popular female star of 1941 in a popularity contest by Ramon Arces, Inc. and was named Movie Queen in 1948 and 1949 after placing first in a popularity voting poll by an entertainment magazine. In 1949, LVN Pictures reportedly paid her to star in Kampanang Ginto, becoming the highest-paid movie star of the period. The Philippine Entertainment Portal have named them the most popular loveteam of the 1940s and 1950s. Writing for Manila Standard, Leo Sergio agreed that Rosales and de la Rosa "served as the precursor of the ideal loveteam."

For her wartime service, a barrio in Rosales, Pangasinan was named after her, divided into two barangays, Carmen East and Carmen West. On March 12, 2000, Jolina Magdangal performed and dressed up as Rosales in the musical comedy program Star Studio. In 2005, Danny Dolor of Tribung Pilipino Foundation and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts organized a tribute program to Rosales' film career.

Accolades

Filmography