Rosa Rosal: The screen legend who became the nation's heart

Long before she became the face of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Rosa Rosal was already a household name-a luminous presence on the silver screen whose quiet intensity captivated a generation of moviegoers.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Rosal, who passed away on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the age of 97, was not only one of Philippine cinema's most acclaimed actresses but also a beloved humanitarian icon.

Born Florence Lansang Danon in Manila, Rosal first rose to public prominence as an award-winning actress known for her grace and understated elegance.

But it was her humanitarian work, beginning in the 1950s, that became her lasting legacy. She traveled around the country to promote blood donation, comfort disaster survivors, spearhead relief missions, and champion community volunteers.