Carmen Rosales (1918–1991)

Januaria Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991) was a noted pre-WWII Filipina actress better known as Carmen Rosales and Mameng and is noted for her skill in acting and sweet voice.A native of Pangasinan, born to an American father and an Ilocana mother, Rosales' film debut was in the 1938 movie Ang Kiri which she played a double of Atang dela Rama. When her friend brought her to Quisumbing, he rejected the young woman for not having the bearing of an actress.

Nonetheless, Rosales became one of the most famous Filipina





actresses in the 1940s and 1950s, rivalling Rosa del Rosario at the box-office. She is famous for her sweet voice and numerous recordings. Rosales made her debut in Ang Kiri (The Flirt) produced by Diwata Pictures. She starred in her first leading role opposite Jose Padilla Jr in Arimunding-Munding (1939).

She became the most bankable star in Sampaguita Pictures and the highest-paid actress of the 1940s and 1950s. Among her unforgettable roles included the spurned lover of Rogelio dela Rosa in Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) and a club-singer in Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig.

She received her first Famas Award in 1954 for her role in Inspirasyon opposite Van de Leon. She was similarly awarded in 1960 for playing a strict matron in Estela Mondragon.

She garnered fame playing a hacendera in Pablo Gomez's version of MN. Her last public appearance was on Inday Badiday's Eye to Eye.

She died on December 11, 1991 of kidney malfunction in Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

Arguably, she was the Queen of Philippine Movies in the 1940s. The films in which she was top-billed aided in the popularity of emerging actresses like Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces, who all became movie queens themselves decades later.

A barrio in Rosales, Pangasinan was named after her. It is now currently divided into two barangays, Carmen East and Carmen West.

Filmography

1939 -Ang Kiri

1939 -Arimunding-Arimunding

1939 -Takip-Silim

1940 -Senorita

1940 -Lambingan

1940 -Diwa ng Awit

1940 -Colegiala

1941 -Carmen

1941 -Princesita

1941 -Panambitan

1941 -Tampuhan

1941 -Palikero

1941 -Lolita

1944 -Liwayway ng Kalayaan

1946 -Probinsiyana

1946 -Guerilyera

1947 -Kaaway ng Bayan

1947 -Si, Si...Senorito

1947 -Mameng...Iniibig Kita

1947 -Ang Kamay ng Diyos

1947 -Hele-hele bago Quiere

1947 -24 na Pag-ibig

1948 -Ang Selosa

1948 -Hindi Kita Malimot

1949 -Kampanang Ginto

1949 -Carmencita Mia

1949 -Simpatika

1949 -Camelia

1949 -Sipag ay Yaman

1949 -Batalyon XIII

1950 -Ang Bombero

1950 -Ang Magpapawid

1951 -Nanay ko!

1951 -Anak ko!

1951 -Babae...Babae at Babae Pa

1951 -Huling Concierto

1951 -Walang Kapantay

1953 -Rosa Villa

1953 -May Umaga Pang Darating

1953 -Inspirasyon 

{Famas Best Actress}

1954 -Maala-Ala Mo?

1954 -Matandang Dalaga

1954 -M N

1954 -Luha ng Birhen

1955 -Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig

1955 -Uhaw sa Pag-ibig

1955 -R.O.T.C.

1955 -Iyung-Iyo

by Edgar Ebro