Rosa del Rosario

Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1916–2005) 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. She is the first female action hero who portrayed Darna, in 1951 under Royal Films.

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Early life

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). 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 and Anna and the King of Siam.

Personal life

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

Death

Rosa del Rosario died of a heart attack in 2005 at the age of 88.

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