Rosa del Rosario: Star of unfading luster

Rosa del Rosario topbilled the 1948 Premiere movie Bulalakaw, a shooting star whose luster lasts for only a few seconds. On the firmament of stars on the silver screen, Rosa is no bulalakaw. She is a star of unfading luster, forever remembered for her movie roles, including Darna, the first and the best.

During the Walang Kupas Awards in the early ‘80s, the US-based actress got the biggest applause even if she’s been absent from the screen for four decades.

Lino Brocka called her ‘the idol of my youth.‘

Fellow awardees Rogelio de la Rosa and Leopoldo Salcedo said Rose was their favorite leading lady, a great actress and person.

 Virginia Montes, who was introduced in Bulalakaw along with future husband Efren Reyes, had very fond memories of Rose. ‘I was new and very young then, but Rose took time out to befriend me and helped me with my make-up. To think that she was our star, the movie queen then,‘ Virgie recalls.

This columnist had the honor and pleasure of hosting a dinner for Rose and another Walang Kupas awardee, Norma Blancaflor. — RKC