Rogelio Dela Rosa

Rogelio de la Rosa (born Regidor de la Rosa; November 12, 1916 – November 10, 1986) was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century. Elected to the Philippine Senate from 1957 to 1963, he also was the first Filipino film actor who was able to parlay his fame into a substantial political career, paving the way for other than future Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians such as Senators Eddie Ilarde, Ramon Revilla Sr., Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid and President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

Early Life:

He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, the son of an arnis champion. His hometown of Lubao also produced Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, six years his senior and a future political opponent. Macapagal's first wife, Purita, was de la Rosa's sister.

While in high school, de la Rosa, along with Macapagal would regularly perform in zarzuelas as a villain. As a teenager, he was cast by his uncle, a film director, in a starring role in the silent film Ligaw na Bulaklak opposite Rosa del Rosario. The film's director, Jose Nepumuceno, gave him the screen name "Rogelio de la Rosa". However, the young actor did not then engage in a regular film career, opting instead to attend college at the Far Eastern University in Manila. He was an excellent collegiate athlete and debater in the years from 1932 to 1934. In 1933, de la Rosa won the Claro M. Recto Gold Medal in a national oratorical contest.

Film Stardom:

De la Rosa burst into stardom in the late 1930s after being frequently cast in dramas as a romantic idol opposite such actresses as Rosa del Rosario, Carmen Rosales, Emma Alegre, Paraluman, and Corazon Noble. Carmen Rosales proved to be his most durable onscreen partner, and their "love team" is said to be among the most successful in the history of Philippine movies.

When the Philippine film industry was held to a standstill during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, de la Rosa remained in the public eye as a bodabil performer at the Life Theater in Manila. After the war, he resumed his film career and proved more popular than ever. emerged as a star, perhaps the most popular film actor of the first decade of the post-war. He formed his own film production company, RDR Productions, and starred as well in productions of LVN Pictures, often with Rosales. By 1948, he was the highest paid Filipino movie actor. His success in films remained steady in the 1950s. He had been cast as the first Filipino actor to star in an American-produced movie, The Avenger. His 1955 role in Higit sa Lahat with Emma Alegre earned him the 'Best Actor' trophy at the 1956 FAMAS awards, as well as a citation as Southeast Asia's Best Actor at the Hongkong Film Festival.

Senator And Presidential Candidate:

In the 1957 general elections, de la Rosa ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate under the banner of the Liberal Party. He served for one 6-year term spanning the 4th and 5th Congress. As a Senator, he was active in issues of particular concern within his home province of Pampanga such as fisheries and agriculture, emerging as a strong advocate for nationalization of those industries. Appropriately, de la Rosa was also interested in issues relating to the Filipino film industry, co-authoring a bill that would lead to the establishment of a Board of Censors.

After 3 years in the Senate, De La Rosa decided to run for the presidency as an independent candidate. His residual popularity as a film star, as well as the unpopularity of incumbent re-electionist Nacionalista Carlos P. Garcia made him a credible candidate. The other major candidate in the race was then-Vice President Macapagal of the Liberal Party, his former brother-in-law. Then shortly before election day, de la Rosa withdrew from the election. The reasons for his withdrawal remain a mystery. According to his official Senate biography, de la Rosa was concerned about the strength of what he perceived as the corrupt political machinery of President Garcia, and was ultimately convinced that his withdrawal from the race was the only way to ensure Garcia's defeat. Whatever the motivation, de la Rosa's gambit proved successful, and Macapagal was easily elected over Garcia.

Returning to the Liberal Party, de la Rosa was defeated for reelection to the Senate in the 1963 general elections. He would never again be elected to public office.

Diplomat And Later Years:

De la Rosa remained in public service as an acclaimed diplomat. In 1965, he was appointed Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia, an important designation considering that country's proximity to the Philippines. During the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, de la Rosa was also named as Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, and to the Soviet bloc countries of Poland, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia. He was duly admired for his savvy in foreign affairs and language proficiency. He also used his position to promote Filipino art and culture and to assist Filipino artists performing abroad.

After retiring from the diplomatic corps, de la Rosa made his last foray into politics by unsuccessfully running in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa parliamentary elections. Shortly before his death from a heart attack in 1986, he played one last acting role, in a guest spot on the popular drama anthology Coney Reyes on Camera.

De la Rosa was married twice. His second wife, Carlotta Delgado was a former leading lady of his in films.

Filmography:
1932 – Ligaw na Bulaklak
1932 – Tianak
1932 - Ulong Inasnan
1933 - Nahuling Pagsisisi
1933 - Ang Ganid
1934 - Krus na Bato
1934 - Sawing Palad
1936 - Buhok ni Ester
1936 - Diwata ng Karagatan
1936 - Kalupitan ng Tadhana
1936 - Awit ng mga Ulila
1936 - Anak-Dalita
1936 - Lagablab ng Kabataan
1937 - Anak ng Pari
1937 - Magkapatid
1937 - Teniente Rosario
1937 - Bituing Marikit
1938 - Inang Mahal
1938 - Makiling
1938 - Sanggumay
1938 - Ang Magmamani
1938 - Bago Lumubog ang Araw
1938 - Mga Sugat ng Puso
1938 - Bukang Liwayway
1938 - Bahay-Kubo
1938 - Diwata ng Karagatan
1939 - Magkaisang Landas
1939 - Lagot Na Kuwintas
1939 - Pasang Krus
1939 - Florante at Laura
1939 - Dalisay
1939 - Ang Magsasampaguita
1939 - Takip-Silim
1940 - Senorita
1940 - Magbalik ka, Hirang
1940 - Gunita
1940 - Katarungan
1940 - Lambingan
1940 - Diwa ng Awit
1940 - Estrellita
1940 - Colegiala
1940 - Nang Mahawi ang Ulap
1941 - Panambitan
1941 - Tarhata
1941 - Tampuhan
1941 - Ang Maestra
1941 - Serenata sa Nayon
1942 - Caballero
1942 - Anong Ganda Mo
1944 - Perfidia
1946 - Garrison 13
1946 - Angelus
1946 - Dalawang Daigdig
1946 - Tagumpay
1946 - Honeymoon
1946 - Ang Prinsipeng Hindi Tumatawa
1947 - Sarung Banggi
1947 - Backpay
1947 - Ang Lalaki
1947 - Ang Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo
1948 - Sa Tokyo Ikinasal
1948 - Bulaklak at Paruparo
1948 - Ang Vengador
1948 - Hampas ng Langit
1949 - Kampanang Ginto
1949 - Milyonarya
1949 - Bandilang Basahan
1949 - Camelia
1949 - Kidlat sa Silangan
1950 - Ang Hiwaga ng Tulay na Bato
1950 - 48 Oras
1950 - Doble Cara
1950 - Ang Kampana ng San Diego
1950 - Prinsipe Amante
1950 - Tigang na Lupa
1950 - Sohrab at Rustum
1951 - Bayan O Pag-ibig
1951 - Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya
1951 - Haring Cobra
1952 - Irisan
1952 - Romansa sa Nayon
1953 - Sa Paanan ng Bundok
1954 - Maala-Ala Mo Kaya?
1954 - Dakilang Pgpapakasakit
1954 - Jack & Jill
1954 - Ikaw ang Buhay Ko
1954 - Aristokrata
1955 - Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
1955 - Artista
1955 - Higit sa Lahat
1955 - Sonny Boy
1955 - Iyung-Iyo
1955 - Pandanggo ni Neneng
1956 - Babaing Mandarambong
1956 - El conde de Monte Carlo
1956 - Idolo
1956 - Pampanggenya
1956 - Gintong Pangarap
1957 - Sino ang Maysala
1957 - Veronica

Dr. Fernando Calderon

FERNANDO CALDERON
(1866-1948)

Dr. Fernando R. Calderon was one of the leading Filipino obstetricians during the American colonial period and the first director of the Philippine General Hospital. Named after his paternal grandfather, he was born in the old town of Santa Cruz de Malabon, now called Tanza, Cavite on August 14, 1866, to Jose G. Calderon and Manuela Roca. Felipe G. Calderon, famous for his work on the Malolos Constitution, was his younger brother.


Together with his young brother, Felipe, Fernando was sent to an elementary school conducted by a teacher called Gabriel in barrio Lamayan. Later, he has transferred to the Ateneo Municipal when the family moved to Santa Ana, Manila. He started his studies at the Ateneo as a second grade pupil in the primary course. Hardly able to speak Spanish, he was placed at one of the lowest rungs in the class. However, he made great strides in his studies. Before the end of the first semester, he was already at the top and had gained the coveted honor of being the class “emperor”.


After obtaining his bachelor of arts degree at the Ateneo in 1885, he moved to the University of Santo Tomas to take up medicine and pharmacy. He completed his licentiate in medicine in February 1891. During the last month of 1891, he secured the post of municipal doctor of Calbayog, Samar. But after serving there for about two years, he had to go back to Manila to recuperate from an ailment, which the famed chemist of that time, Anacleto del Rosario, confirmed as advanced tuberculosis.


When he regained his health, he accepted a job as medical officer of the Carigara municipality in Leyte. Six months later, in 1894, he transferred to Ormoc, which was to be his residence for six years. When the Filipino-American War broke out in 1899, General Lukban appointed him as president of the revolutionary junta of Ormoc, a position he kept for about a year. He returned to Manila when the Americans occupied the town.


After a brief stay in Manila, Dr. Calderon decided to leave for Europe, taking the French steamer Laos. He arrived in Paris in March 1900. He was admitted as a president in the famous Clinique Tarnier, a five-storey hospital that specialized in maternity, gynecology, and puericulture.


He stayed there for eight months, and then visited other French hospitals like the Maternidad Baudeloque, under Professor Pinard; the Maternidad Saint Antoine, directed by Professor Bahr; the Cochin and Broca hospitals; and the Necker Hospital, under Professor Guyon. After two years in Europe, he returned to Manila, arriving in March 1902. Later, he married Januaria Alvarez.

On July 1, 1907 he was appointed professor of obstetrics at the school of Medicine, which was created on the recommendation by the Philippine Island Medical Association and approved by the Philippine Commission on June 10, 1907. This school was to become the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine.


On September 16, 1914, Dr. Calderon was appointed auxiliary director of the Philippine General Hospital while serving at the same time, without additional compensation, as head of obstetrics of the UP-College of Medicine. He was named president of the Council of Hygiene on June 03, 1915. He became dean of the College of Medicine and director of the Philippine General Hospital on October 25, 1916. From October 11, 1922 to October 10, 1925, he was a member of the UP board of regents. He was designated acting UP President from January to August 31, 1934. On November 1, 1936, he resigned as dean of the UP College of Medicine and as PGH director due to physical incapacity.


Dr. Calderon was instrumental in creation of La Gota de Leche in Manila. He died on February 7, 1948.

Francisco F. Benitez

FRANCISCO F. BENITEZ
(1887-1951)

Francisco F. Benitez, one of the country's foremost educators, was born in Pagsanjan, Laguna on June 4, 1887 to Don Higinio Benitez, a signer of Malolos Constitution, and Soledad Francia. He had four brothers: Ceferino, Teofilo, Conrado, and Eulogio, and a sister, Antonia. His brother Conrado was an economist, historian, and a business leader, while Eulogio was a congressman of Laguna and the first to use English in the sessions of the Philippine House of Representatives.

After his graduation from the Philippine Normal School in 1904, he started his educational career. He served as principal of a school in Pakil, Laguna, before being sent as a government pensionado to the United States in 1905. He graduated three years later from the Western Illinois State Normal School. Back in the Philippines, he was appointed assistant supervising teacher in Bacoor, Cavite.


On July i, 1918, the U.P. Board of Regents passed a resolution transforming the School of Education into the College of Education Francisco Benitez was appointed its dean and thus started his strong influence on education.


Preparatory to the establishment of the commonwealth government, Quezon appointed in 1935 a committee, called the Quezon Educational Survey Committee, to study and recommend changes in the educational system. As a member of the committee, Dean Benitez was appointed chairman of the subcommittee on teacher training.

On August 13, 1945, President Sergio Osmeña revived the National Council of Education created by Quezon shortly before the war. Dean Benitez was made chairman of this council.

After the war, in January, 1946, Osmeña apointed Benitez Secretary of Public Instruction until May, 1946, with Florentino Cayco as his undersecretary.


A patriot at heart, Dean Benitez served his countrymen and the government in different capacities. He worked as honorary correspondent for the Philippines in the International Bureau of Education at Geneva, president of the National Federation of Teachers in the Philippines, and chairman of the educational sector in the First Independence Congress in 1930. He was also the director of the World Federation of Education Associations and of the Institute of the Pacific Relations, and president and director of the Philippine China Society and of the Japan Philippine Society, respectively.

As an educator, Benitez believed that education could make the country stable and progressive and that every Filipino child should have the right to an education in order to develop his potentials to the full. He also strongly advocated the development of the spirit of nationalism, particularly in the youth, the development of internationalism, and of the national language. As director of the Office of Private Education, he advocated the idea of having social studies taught exclusively by Filipino teachers.


A liberal and a democrat, he fought against any method of instruction which would give rise to any form of intellectual or social aristocracy. A strong advocate of democratic ideas in classroom management and supervision, he batted for an educational system geared toward the needs of the people.


A staunch champion of teachers, Francisco Benitez, contributed much towards the function of teachers' associations in the country. In 1940, he advocated salary increases for teachers in order to build up their morale and give them an incentive to remain in the service.



He also distinguished himself as a writer and editor when he published "Educational Progress in the Philippines," "Stories of Great Filipinos," and several other essays and articles here and abroad. He was editor of the Philippine Journal of Education. He conducted courses in education: "The Social and Economic Status of Our Teachers" and "A Study in Individual Differences."



his kind, amiable, and courteous dean whose favorite aphorism was "work and study in the spirit of play," was also known for his sense of humor and satire on people, institutions, and other elements of life and society.



Once, somebody tried to convince him of the danger of smoking which he did immoderately by saying, "Dean, a drop of nicotine is enough to kill a fish." The dean replied: "But, my dear, I'm not a fish."


He was a humble fellow. In his classes before the examination, he used to thumb the pages of the textbook saying: "Know this, know that. I require you to know these details, even if I myself don't know them now." Humorously, he would add, "Anyway, you are the ones to take the exam, not I."

Dean Benitez had an enormous love for the people, a deep affection for the unpretentious, lowly masses unaffected by the sophistication of society. He enjoyed talking to them, holding them by the sleeves, patting them on the shoulders, and greeting them by their first names.

Dean Benitez was accorded honors for his distinguished service to education by Columbia University which awarded him its University Medal in 1929. That same year, he was honored with two Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by the University of Manila. For being an outstanding school executive, a progressive educational statesman and a staunch champion of teachers and the teaching profession, he was voted Teacher of the Year in December, 1950 by the alumni of the College of Education, University of the Philippines. In 1951, the National University conferred on him a doctorate degree, honoris causa. Finally, a citation of merit was given him by President Quirino for his service in the field of education in the Philippines.

He died on June 30, 1951 at the age of 64 at the Singian Clinic after suffering a heart attack while walking along Carriedo, Quiapo, Manila. He was survived by his wife, Pat Marquez Benitez, and children Ana Virginia, Francisco Jr., Roberto, and Rafael.

His death was deeply mourned by his countrymen; he truly deserved their respect and veneration, for he was one of the pillars of Philippine education.

Cecilio R. Apostol

CECILIO R. APOSTOL (1877-1938)

A patriot by sentiment, a lawyer by profession, and a man of letters by avocation, Cecilio Apostol was a colossus in Spanish-Filipino poetry. He was recognized not only in the Philippines but also throughout the Hispanic world as "the greatest Filipino epic poet writing in Spanish." According to Claro M. Recto, Apostol was "the greatest writer of both prose and poetry."


He was born in Sta. Cruz Manila on November 22, 1877, to Jose P. Apostol and Marcelina de los Reyes. He began writing poems as early as when he was in the third grade. In school programs, he used to declaim verses that he himself wrote. Aside from poetry, he loved art.


At home and in school, he used to paint landscapes, flowers, birds and people. His first published poem was El Terror de los Mares Indicos in El Comercio.


After his elementary education, he enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1894. He later took up law at the University of Santo Tomas. However, he joined the Revolution in 1896 before finishing his law course.

He also joined the editorial staff of the newspaper, La Independencia, and used either Catulo or Isagani as his pen names.


When peace was restored, he continued his journalistic carrer and worked in various newspapers, such as La Fraternidad, La Democrecia, La Patria, and El Renocimiento.


Finishing his law studies after the Revolution, he passed the bar and was appointed assistant fiscal of Manila in 1908.


During his spare time, he dedicated himself to poetry, painting and linguistics. He learned several foreign languages, translated Bonifacio's Decalogue into French and the Ilocano epic Lam-ang into Spanish.


Apostol's patriotic poem, Mi Raza, won first prize in the national literary contest sponsored by the Club International in 1902. In it he demonstrated evidence of his supremacy over all Filipino poets in Spanish. His poetical masterpiece A Rizal (To Rizal), is still unsurpassed in epic sweep and patriotic fire.


The poems of Apostol have been compiled by Professor Jaime C. de Veyra and published under the title Pentelicas (Manila, 1941). Included in this collection are: Al Heroe Nacional, Mi Raza, A La Bandera, La Siesta, Sobre El Plinto (dedicated to Mabini), Paisaie Filipino, A Emilio Jacinto, Los Martires Anonimos de la Pairia, and El Solo de la Independencia.


Apostol's fame was acclaimed in practically all Spanish-speaking countries of the world. His poems, together with his biography, appeared in the World Anthology of Spanish Poetry and in the world-famous Enciplopedia España, and in many other books. In recognition of his poetical genius, Apostol was made a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Literature. Some of his poems have been translated into German.


Upon the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1935, this great poet-lawyer was asked to become one of President Quezon's legal advisers. He refused the lucrative offer, and a few months later he retired from his position as Manila's assistant fiscal without claiming the customary retirement privileges. He joined the law office of Don Vicente Francisco and distinguished himself there as a brief writer and legal researcher.


On September 17, 1938, Apostol died of cerebral hemorrhage at his home in Caloocan at the age of 61. He was survived by his wife Margarita San Jose and six children.