Rosemarie Gil as Santa Rita de Cascia

In 1958, she was introduced in a title role in her first film, Sta. Rita de Cascia (Patrona ng Imposible). Many tested for the part of the Italian saint, but Rosemarie Gil was the unanimous choice. Which was easy to understand. Pretty Spanish mestiza, ‘colegiala’ (Assumption Convent), intelligent, with regal bearing.

Santa Rita joined the nunnery in Cascia when her husband died. It was a hard life for her, married to a man with violent temper who maltreated her. But she endured his cruelty and prayed for her husband who repented before he died.

The movie, produced by Premiere and directed by Ramon Estella, carried these words: ‘Let me share in the pain of one of your thorns around Your head…and God granted Rita’s request.’

Those who’ve visited Cascia said that the path leading to Santa Rita’s convent is filled with giant red roses…without thorns.

After Santa Rita de Cascia, Rosemarie starred in other Premiere films, a few of which co-starred Eddie Mesa, who became her husband. They have three children: Michael de Mesa, the late Mark Gil and Cherie Gil. Rosemarie later became an award-winning character actress on the big screen and television.

The last 20 years or so, Rosemarie and Eddie reside in California, where he’s a born-again preacher. —RKC