Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006),

Rosa del Rosario

Rose del Rosario Stagner, better known by her screen name Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006), was a Filipina film actress of Filipino-American descent.

She was born to an American father (Frank H. Stagner) and a Filipina mother from Pampanga (Aquilina del Rosario). She began studying at the age of seven and was enrolled in public schools. She attended Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School until sixth grade. She studied at the Manila High School until tenth grade. She was an average student, although her grades fluctuated from time to time. She did odd jobs at bakeshops and sold cookies, siomai and empanada at the movie theaters, which enabled her to watch movie for free.

Her film debut was at the age of fourteen when she was cast as the daughter of Carlos Padilla Sr. and Alma Bella in the horror film Satanas (1932). She starred in her first major movie Ligaw na Bulaklak (1932) opposite Rogelio de la Rosa. 

She held the distinction of being the first actress to play the first Filipino superheroine on screen, Darna (1951), followed by Darna at ang Babaing Lawin (1952). Among her memorable movies were Doktor Kuba (1933, with Patrocinio Carvajal), Minda Mora (1929) and Zamboanga (1937) both with Fernando Poe Sr., Nang Magulo ang Maynila (1937, with Domingo Principe), Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo (1947, with Rogelio de la Rosa), Caprichosa (1947, with José Padilla Jr.), Tandang Sora (1947, with Leopoldo Salcedo), Kumander Sundang (1949, with Efren Reyes) and Rosario Cantada (1951, with Ben Perez). She also starred in Hollywood films such as Border Bandits (1946), an uncredited role in American Guerilla in the Philippines (1950) and Anna and the King of Siam.

She left the Philippines in 1956 and moved to Novato, California. She was married to John Samit and had two children named Geraldine and Terry. She was also the grandmother of two girls named Hannah and Sarah McEllistrim.

Del Rosario died of pancreatic cancer on February 4, 2006 in Modesto, California at the age of 88.

Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006)

Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006) was a well-known half-Filipina, half-American Mestiza actress in Philippine Movies who made her film debut in 1932 horror film Satanas (Satan). Her real name was Rose del Rosario Stagner. Her mother was from Pampanga.

Born Rose del Rosario Stagner, she was the Queen of Philippine Movies during the ’30s and ’40s. Del Rosario started in the movies at the age of nine when Nepomuceno cast her as the daughter of Carlos Padilla and Alma Bella in Anak ni Satanas (1925). After seven years, she starred in her first major movie, Ligaw na Bulaklak (1932) opposite Rogelio de la Rosa. Del Rosario held the distinction of being the first actress to play the first Filipino superheroine on screen, Darna (1951), followed by Darna at ang Babaing Lawin (1952).

She is the first female action hero who portrayed Darna, in 1951 under Royal Films.

 

 

Among her memorable movies were Doktor Kuba, (1933, with Patrocinio Carvajal), Minda Mora (1929, with Fernando Poe Sr.), Zamboanga (1937, with Poe), Nang Magulo ang Maynila (1937, with Domingo Principe), Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo (1947, with Rogelio de la Rosa), Caprichosa (1947, with Jose Padilla Jr.), Tandang Sora (1947, with Leopoldo Salcedo), Kumander Sundang (1949, with Efren Reyes) and Rosario Cantada (1951, with Ben Perez).

 Del Rosario also starred in Hollywood films such as The Border Bandits, American Guerilla in the Philippines and Anna and the King of Siam.

Their parents are Frank Stagner (American father) and Agustina del Rosario (Filipina mother). She was married to John Samit with 2 children: Geraldine and Terry. She was also the Grandmother of 2 girls: Hannah and Sarah McEllistrim

Filmography

1932 – Satanas

1932 – Ligaw na Bulaklak

1932 – Tianak

1932 - Lantang Bulaklak

1933 - Doctor Kuba

1933 - Ang Mga Ulila

1934 - Mag-inang Mahirap

1934 - Anting-Anting

1934 - X3X

1934 - Anak ng Bilanggo

1934 - Sa Tawag ng Diyos

1935 - Ang Gulong ng Buhay

1935 - Anak ng Birhen*

1935 - Awit ng Pag-ibig

1935 - Sumpa ng Aswang

1936 - Buhok ni Ester

1936 - Ama

1936 - Ang Birheng Walang Dambana

1937 - Gamu-Gamong Naging Lawin

1937 - Nang Magulo ang Maynila

1937 - Ang Kumpisalan at ang Batas

1937 - Taong Demonyo (a)

1937 - Asahar at Kabaong

1937 - Zamboanga

1938 - Kalapating Puti [Filippine]

1938 - Dalagang Silangan [Filippine]

1938 - Biyaya ni Bathala [Filippine]

1939 - Walang Sugat [Filippine]

1939 - Naglahong Dambana

1940 - Cadena de Amor [Sanggumay]

1940 - Buenavista  ?

1941 - Paraiso [Excelsior]

1941 - Ilang-Ilang [Lvn]

1941 - Ang Maestra [RDR]

1942 - Huling Habilin  ?

1947 - Bakya mo Neneng [Premiere]

1947 - Si Malakas at si Maganda  ?

1947 - Bagong Sinderella [Premiere]

1947 - Caprichosa [Premiere]

1947 - Ang Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo [Lvn]

1947 - Hagibis [Premiere]

1947 - Hacendera [Phils Artists]

1947 - Tandang Sora  ?

1948 - Bulaklak at Paruparo [Premiere]

1949 - Anak ng Panday [Premiere]

1949 - Kumander Sundang [Premiere]

1950 - Bulaklak ng Digmaan [Liwayway]

1950 - Kundiman ng Luha [Balintawak]

1950 - Aklat ng Pag-ibig [Balintawak]

1951 - Mag-inang Ulila [Royal]

1951 - Rosario Cantada [Royal]

1951 - Darna [Royal]

1951 - Singsing na Sinulid [Royal]

1952 - Darna at ang Babaing Lawin [Royal]

1952 - Neneng Ko [Lebran]

1953 - May Karapatang Isilang [Deegar Cinema Inc.]

1954 - May Bakas ang Lumipas [Ace York]

Rosa del Rosario died of cancer in 2006 at the age of 88.