Quick Facts
Biography
Januaria Constantino Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991) was a noted pre-World War II Filipina actress better known as Carmen Rosales and Mameng and is noted for her skill in acting and sweet voice.
Personal life
A native of Pangasinan, born to Pantaleón Keller Rosales and Pilar Constantino y de la Cruz (April 13, 1872, Quingua, Bulacan - ?), Rosales' film debut was in the 1938 movie Ang Kiri which she played a double of Atang dela Rama. When her friend brought her to Quisumbing, he rejected the young woman for not having the bearing of an actress.
Nonetheless, Rosales became one of the most famous Filipina actresses in the 1940s and 1950s, rivalling Rosa del Rosario at the box-office. She is famous for her sweet voice and numerous recordings. Rosales made her debut in Ang Kiri (The Flirt) produced by Diwata Pictures. She starred in her first leading role opposite Jose Padilla Jr in Arimunding-Munding (1939).
She became the most bankable star in Sampaguita Pictures. Among her unforgettable roles included the spurned lover of Rogelio dela Rosa in Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) and a club-singer in Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig.
She received her first Famas Award in 1954 for her role in Inspirasyon opposite Van de Leon. She was similarly awarded in 1960 for playing a strict matron in Estela Mondragon.
She garnered fame playing a hacendera in Pablo Gomez's version of MN. Her last public appearance was on Inday Badiday's Eye to Eye.
She died on December 11, 1991 of kidney malfunction in Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
The Original Queen of Philippine Movies
Arguably, she was the Queen of Philippine Movies in the 1940s. The films in which she was top-billed aided in the popularity of emerging actresses like Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces, who all became movie queens themselves decades later.
A barrio in Rosales, Pangasinan was named after her. It is now currently divided into two barangays, Carmen East and Carmen West.
Filmography
- 1939 -Ang Kiri
- 1939 -Arimunding-Arimunding
- 1939 -Takip-Silim
- 1940 -Senorita
- 1940 -Lambingan
- 1940 -Diwa ng Awit
- 1940 -Colegiala
- 1941 -Carmen
- 1941 -Princesita
- 1941 -Panambitan
- 1941 -Tampuhan
- 1941 -Palikero
- 1941 -Lolita
- 1944 -Liwayway ng Kalayaan
- 1946 -Probinsiyana
- 1946 -Guerilyera
- 1947 -Kaaway ng Bayan
- 1947 -Si, Si...Senorito
- 1947 -Mameng...Iniibig Kita
- 1947 -Ang Kamay ng Diyos
- 1947 -Hele-hele bago Quiere
- 1947 -24 na Pag-ibig
- 1948 -Ang Selosa
- 1948 -Hindi Kita Malimot
- 1949 -Kampanang Ginto
- 1949 -Carmencita Mia
- 1949 -Simpatika
- 1949 -Camelia
- 1949 -Sipag ay Yaman
- 1949 -Batalyon XIII
- 1950 -Ang Bombero
- 1950 -Ang Magpapawid
- 1951 -Nanay ko!
- 1951 -Anak ko!
- 1951 -Babae...Babae at Babae Pa
- 1951 -Huling Concierto
- 1951 -Walang Kapantay
- 1953 -Rosa Villa
- 1953 -May Umaga Pang Darating
- 1953 -Inspirasyon -{Famas Best Actress}
- 1954 -Maala-Ala Mo?
- 1954 -Matandang Dalaga
- 1954 -M N
- 1954 -Luha ng Birhen
- 1955 -Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
- 1955 -Uhaw sa Pag-ibig
- 1955 -R.O.T.C.
- 1955 -Iyung-Iyo