JAIME DELA ROSA

JAIME DELA ROSA




Jaime dela Rosa with Charito Solis

Jaime de la Rosa was a Filipino pre-war and postwar actor better known as Jimmy in Philippine showbiz.

Tommy de la Rosa was the first screen name he used, later changing it to Jaime. Born in Lubao, Pampanga, he is the younger brother of Rogelio dela Rosa and became one of LVN Pictures's bankable star.

From Manila Bulletin:

Jaime was a native of Lubao, Pampanga, with Chinese and Spanish ancestry. His lolo was, in fact, one of Ferdinand Magellan's trusted lieutenant. But while of good stock, Jaime wasn t born rich.

However, the young Jaime had several aces up his sleeves. His brother, Rogelio was a famous actor, and sister Africa was a noted character actress. Then, there was his uncle, Gregorio Fernandez, an actor and film director who had a clout in the movie industry. With his inherent good looks, the stage was set for Jaime s entry to the entertainment business.

Jaime started his film career using the screen name Jimmy de la Rosa, during the late 30s. At about the same time, he was also studying Law. His first movie was Mga Anak ng Lansangan (1939) for Eastern Pictures. The next year, he did three films: Cadena de Amor , Bawal na Pag-ibig and Kahapon Lamang. And just before the outbreak of World War II, he was able to finish Ibong Sawi (1941) for Excelsior Pictures.

But even the war couldn't stop the wheel of Jaime's fortune. Instead of putting his life to a halt, he married Beatriz, his hometown sweetheart, and started a family.

After the war, Jaime resumed acting for LVN Pictures, starting with Garrison 13 in 1946, followed by his solo, Aladin (1947) and a string of many lead roles until 1958.

During his heydays, he was one of the most sought leading man. As such, he lent his lead status to female stars who were primed for stardom like Nida Blanca in Korea (1952), and Charito Solis in Nina Bonita (1955).

He also played as prince charming to Rosa del Rosario in the first Darna, and Edna Luna in the first Dyesebel (1953). But he also had his share of solo starrers, in films like Binatang Taring (1947), Satur (1951) and Shalimar (1951).

Among his many successful movies were Galawgaw (1952) with Nida Blanca, Waling Waling at Gitano (1948) with Rebecca Gonzales, Tanikalang Papel (1948) with Norma Blancaflor, No Money, No Honey (1956) with Carmencita Abad, Bagong Manunubos (1947), Hamak na Dakila (1948), Padre Burgos (1949), Anak ng Pulubi (1951), Taong Paniki (1952), Kabalyerong Itim (1952), Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba (1952), Medalyong Perlas (1956) and Faithful (1958).

Jaime duplicated his film success on television, where he was among the pioneers, as host of ABS-CBN's Caltex Star Caravan.

And when he was no longer active in hosting and acting, Jaime ventured into TV directing and played as consultants to other filmmakers. In 1982, he was a liaison for the Australian opus, The Year of Living Dangerously. He also hosted a radio program on DZBB.

According to Cherry, one of Jaime s daughters, his father was an intellectual. He loved to read, and he was a good writer. He was a big thinker. In fact, it was Jaime who introduced the use of a film screen as set background for television productions.

Jaime was also credited for naming the local awards body as Filipino Academy for Movie Arts and Sciences or FAMAS, after the American Motion Pictures and Science (AMPAS) has protested the use of the originally proposed Academy of Motion Pictures and Science of the Philippines or AMPAS.

But who was Jaime dela Rosa behind the velvet curtain?

He was a protective father, says Cherry. And while he wasn't showy in his emotions, he had a way of making us feel that we re loved. Wala kaming curfew noon, but he wouldn't sleep until all his daughters were home. Hatid-sundo din niya kami while we were studying in La Consolacion.

Cherry also says that his father was wise in spending his money. He was the exact opposite of my mom. From buena familia kasi ang mama ko and she was used to a certain type of lifestyle. My mom kasi, pag nag-shopping, parang laging may giyera. For example, instead of buying one broom, my mom would buy a hundred. Kaya yung bahay namin sa Sampaloc, laging puno. At pag nagta-travel kami, lagi kaming overweight. Nakakatuwa nga because, isa sa huling habilin ng papa ko kay mom, was magtipid daw.

She continues, my father was fond of making investments, in real estate or in business. I recall that he used to plant all sorts of trees in his properties in San Mateo (Rizal) and Horsehoe Village. He was also a pioneer in the woodcraft export industry, when we were still living in Sampaloc.

Cherry also says that theirs was a happy home. Kasi sumasayaw at kumakanta din siya sa pelikula noon. So, palaging may ballroom dancing sa bahay. She is also proud that her dad remained faithful to her mother despite the temptations in showbiz. He didn't have another family. He would always go home to us every night.

According to Cherry, his dad was a man of varied interests. He had a dancing pony that he used to train to while his time. He also loved photography at mga toys. One time, when he went to Korea, he brought us — the three girls, a toy train. Looking back, I think he bought those toy trains for himself.

And while most of Jaime's time was spent in Manila, Cherry says that he stayed true to his kapampangan roots. He had a sweet tooth. And all his life, the Pampanga dishes remained his favorite. Yung buro, saka yung local exotic dish na insect, he loved those.

As a politician, Cherry admires her dad's tenacity and good will. Ayaw na ayaw niya yung mga abusadong tao. He didn't enrich himself when he was in politics. Ayaw niya sa mga corrupt.

Jaime dela Rosa died while serving as Vice Mayor of Manila. He was a fulfilled man, says Cherry, because he was able to achieve what he wanted in life. Of course, there were ups and downs, but he was able to fulfill his dreams.

Jaime dela Rosa died, ten years ago, this Sept 18, at the age of 72.

Filmography



* 1940 -Cadena de amor - Sanggumay Pictures
* 1940 -Bawal na Pag-ibig - Parlatone Hispano-Filipino
* 1940 -Kahapon Lamang - Sampaguita Pictures
* 1939 -Mga Anak ng Lansangan - Eastern Pictures
* 1941 -Ibong Sawi - Excelsior Pictures
* 1946 -Garrison 13 - Lvn Pictures
* 1946 -Aladin - Lvn Pictures
* 1947 -Bagong Manunubos - Lvn Pictures
* 1947 -Ikaw ay Akin - Lvn Pictures
* 1947 -Binatang Taring - Lvn Pictures
* 1947 -Romansa - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Engkantada - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Krus na Bituin - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Waling-Waling - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Hamak na Dakila - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Tanikalang papel - Lvn Pictures
* 1948 -Malikmata - Fernardo Poe Pictures
* 1949 -Parola - Lvn Pictures
* 1949 -Gitano - Lvn Pictures
* 1949 -Tambol Mayor - Lvn Pictures
* 1949 -Padre Burgos - Premiere Production
* 1949 -Biglang Yaman - Lvn Pictures
* 1949 -Batalyon XIII - Lvn Pictures
* 1950 -Nuno sa Punso - Lvn Pictures
* 1950 -Kontrabando - Lvn Pictures
* 1950 -In Despair - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Reyna Elena - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Satur - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Anak ng Pulubi - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Shalimar - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Probinsiyano - Lvn Pictures
* 1951 -Amor mio - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Korea - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Sa Paanan ng Nazareno - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Digmaan ng Damdamin - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Taong Paniki - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Kabalyerong Itim - Lvn Pictures
* 1952 -Haring Solomon - Lvn Pictures
* 1953 -Loida - Lvn Pictures
* 1953 -Dyesebel - Premiere Production & Manuel Vistan Jr.
* 1953 -Batanguena - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Dalawang Panata - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Virtuoso - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Doce Pares - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Donato - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Tinalikdang Dambana - Lvn Pictures
* 1954 -Galawgaw - Lvn Pictures
* 1955 -Saydwok Bendor - Lvn Pictures
* 1955 -Niña Bonita - Lvn Pictures
* 1955 -Dinayang Pagmamahal - Lvn Pictures
* 1956 -No Money..No Honey - Lvn Pictures
* 1956 - Luksang Tagumpay - Lvn Pictures
* 1956 -Medalyong Perlas - Lvn Pictures
* 1956 -Kumander 13 - Lvn Pictures
* 1957 -Hukom Roldan - Lvn Pictures
* 1957 -Turista - Lvn Pictures
* 1958 -Faithful - Lvn Pictures