If you have heard people praising Rosa Rosal for her tireless commitment to ease the suffering of the less fortunate — believe it. Believe every single word and leave room for the certainty that the compliment was understated. Rosa Rosal has given her life to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and if she had 10 lives more, she would live every incarnation serving in this organization.
As a governor of the PNRC like Rosa, I have the pleasure of working with this Magsaysay and Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Individual Awardee on a regular basis. During these last few years, I have had the privilege of hearing stories about her amazing life. Here are a few snippets that this fabulous woman shared with me.
During the war, Florence Danon’s (Rosa Rosal’s birth name) mother was hit in crossfire. Florence, barely in her teens, brought her mother to an American medical facility. When informed that her mother’s arm had to be amputated, Florence pleaded with the doctors to save it. In exchange for their services, Florence offered to serve as a medical assistant. During these trying weeks, she would assist in amputations and carry dismembered body parts for disposal. Her mother’s arm eventually healed.
In order to help support her family, Florence, who was still in high school, applied at the National Chest Center where she was hired by Dr. Sixto Francisco as a typist. She eventually took on other functions in the hospital such as operating the X-ray machine.
During a party, Florence Danon (now a young starlet) saw a floral arrangement of roses and gardenias (rosal). She commented on the beauty of the flowers. Producer Luis Nolasco heard her remark and decided that the name Rosa Rosal would be more appropriate for the actress than the foreign-sounding Florence Danon.
Rosa Rosal was so attached to her mother Gloria Lansang that when Rosa was to leave for an extended period of time, she would pick up Gloria’s used article of clothing and bring it with her on her trips so that she could smell her mother while she was away.
During her years as an actress, Rosa was never seen disheveled or unkempt. She made it a point to always appear well-dressed and made-up. During a Hollywood event, she was informed that photographers would knock on a star’s door early in the morning to catch their “just-got-out-of-bed” look. When the shutterbugs knocked on her door early in the morning, Rosa opened the door and received them totally coiffed and made up wearing an elegant robe.
Among the movies she is proudest of being a part of are Sakada, Biyaya ng Lupa and Anak Dalita.
Rosa, then 28 years old, was married for only five days to an American pilot named Walter Gayda. Gayda was a playboy who was intimidated by the actress’ fame. In those five days, Rosa got pregnant. One morning during their honeymoon at the Bayview Hotel, Gayda’s friend approached Rosa and told her to pack her bags, leave and to never get in touch with her husband as he had left her for good. The breakup of her marriage led her to the brink of suicide.
Rosa Rosal still does her own hair and makeup. I have noticed that she keeps her clothes classic and simple. She wears colorful necklaces that bring attention to her lovely face.
Even during the death of her beloved grandson James (who died in Rosa’s arms), Governor Rosal continued to attend to her duties as Governor of the Red Cross. She continued to coordinate the facilitation of safe blood to those that badly needed it.
She has recently been nominated by director Behn Cervantes as CNN’s Hero of the Year.