Jinggoy pays tribute to Rosa Rosal:
A timeless legacy of selfless service and love for country
SENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of an icon of Philippine cinema and humanitarian service — the late Florence Lansang Danon, more popularly known as Rosa Rosal.
The esteemed actress and long-serving governor of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) passed away on November 15, 2025, at the age of 97.
“Her pioneering work on and off-screen, and her more than seven decades of dedication to volunteerism changed countless lives for the better. Her passing is a great loss to the nation,” Estrada said in Senate Resolution No. 190.
Born on October 16, 1928, Rosal rose from humble beginnings, working as a clerk, radio newsreader, and hospital secretary before entering show business. She later became one of the brightest stars of the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.
From her early films under the Nolasco Brothers Studios to her iconic roles with LVN Pictures, Rosal captivated audiences in classics such as “Anak Dalita” (1956), “Badjao” (1957), and “Biyaya ng Lupa” (1959). Her fearless performances earned her the moniker “original femme fatale of Philippine Movies” and numerous accolades, including the 1955 FAMAS Best Actress Award and the 1987 Natatanging Gawad Urian.
Beyond her celebrated film career, Rosal became an even more prominent figure when she embraced the vocation of socio-civic and humanitarian work. She is best known for her 75 years of dedicated service in the PRC, having joined as a volunteer-member of its blood program in 1950, and later serving as a member of the Board of Governors beginning in 1965.
During her decades of active engagement with the organization, Rosal leveraged her fame to popularize blood donation, mobilize volunteers, and secure support from the military and private sector. She was instrumental in establishing regional blood centers and laboratories for blood testing, and HIV/AIDS screening.
Her unwavering commitment to public service earned her the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1999, and the Order of the Golden Heart, Grand Cross in 2006 — honors that reflect a lifetime devoted to uplifting the most vulnerable.
“Rosa Rosal’s compassion transcended her celebrity,” Estrada said. “Her dedication to humanitarian work, especially through the Philippine Red Cross and her public service programs ‘Damayan’ and ‘Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko,’ changed countless lives and inspired generations of Filipinos.”
Rosal left behind a timeless legacy of selfless service and love for the country, Estrada said, as he emphasized that the Senate must honor her not only as an icon of Philippine cinema but also as a shining example of volunteerism and public service whose impact will be felt for generations.