Januaria Constantino Keller, better known by her stage name CarmenRosales and by her nickname Mameng, was a noted Filipina actress and World War IIguerilla fighter. As an actress, career spanned the decades immediately before, during, and after World War II. Her tremendous commercial success and wide fan base before the war has led to her being considered the original superstar of Philippine movies. Her stage name, Carmen Rosales taken from her hometown of Carmen, Rosales, Philippines.
Rosales' film debut was in the 1938 movie Mahiwagang Binibini which she played based on the Zarsuela play of Atang dela Rama "Ang Kiri". 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 for her sweet voice and numerous recordings. Rosales made her debut in Ang Kiri produced by Diwata Pictures. She starred in her first leading role opposite Jose Padilla Jr in Arimunding-Munding. She became the most bankable star in Sampaguita Pictures. In 1949, she became the highest-paid movie star when LVN Pictures offered her the unprecedented sum of P45,000 to team up again with Rogelio dela Rosa in Kampanang Ginto, followed by Camelia, then Sipag at Yaman with Jose Padilla, Jr. and Batalyon Trece with Jaime dela Rosa. Among her unforgettable roles included the spurned lover of Rogelio dela Rosa in Maalaala Mo Kaya 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.
World War II guerrilla activities
Rosales' husband Ramon was killed by Japanese forces early in the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines during World War II. As a result, she decided to join a guerrilla group and fight the Japanese. She joined the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon forces, and became a sharpshooter. She was known for wearing a false mustache during guerrilla raids, in an effort to disguise herself.
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.
