Rogelio dela Rosa: Outstanding public servant and actor

In both public service and showbiz, Rogelio dela Rosa was outstanding, recognized for his many achievements.

He was the first movie actor to be elected senator in 1955. In 1961, he ran for President but eventually backed out to give way to his brother-in-law, Diosdado Macapagal.

As senator, he represented the Philippines at the White House when President John F. Kennedy signed the P473 million War Damage Bill into law.

Dela Rosa was also recipient in 1945 of commendation for his meritorious services as a guerilla leader, an officer of the East Central Luzon Guerilla Area with the rank of major.

In 1954, he received a letter of appreciation from USAF Commander Brig. Gen. J.W. Sessums for promoting Filipino-American friendship. The general referred especially to the Liberty Wells Fund Raising Campaign held at the Clark Air Force Base.

When he was no longer senator, Dela Rosa served as ambassador to The Hague (Netherlands), Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

An outstanding actor, indeed.

As actor, Dela Rosa won Best Actor trophies from the FAMAS and Asian Film Festival for Higit sa Lahat.

The Urian, FAMAS and Film Academy of the Philippines awarded him with lifetime achievement awards. Dela Rosa was named one of the screen immortals (Walang Kupas) by At Iba Pa, an organization composed of film artists and entertainment writers. — RKC