The lady of decency, grace and style, Rosa Rosal, Florence Lansang Danon-Gyda in real life, is gone.
It seems an entire era of show business has diminished with her passing.
Rosa, also known as Tita Rose among her close friends and associates, died at 97.
There were a lot of mourners during the three-night wake for Ms. Rosal at the Heritage Park and Crematorium in Taguig City.
Two of Tita Rose’s descendants, daughter Toni Rose Gayda and grandson William Thio were the prominent figures in the funeral wake to attend to the guests and well-wishers.
In a heartfelt homage. Toni Rose was proud to have a mom like Rosa Rosal, according to Ecy Rapadas. “Toni Rose Gayda delivers a moving tribute to her actress & humanitarian mom, Rosa Rosal. ‘She loved me unconditionally, next to God’s love’,” she exclaimed.
One of the early birds to pay last respects to Tita Rose was showbiz fixture Willie Chu who was met by Toni Rose with fondness.
“Sa wake ng kanyang (At the wake of her) mommy Si toni rose gayda , her only daughter, is the one who is talking to the guests asking them thank you for coming!” noted Willie on his Facebook wall.
There were also private messages and tributes that poured in at the demise of one of Philippine cinema’s goddesses.
Actor and now hotelier Arnold Gamboa shared anecdotes of his remembrances of Ms. Rosal.
According to Arnold, Tita Rose was married for only five days.
Here’s Gamboa’s account on Ms. Rosal’s love life: “She was 28 and extremely popular when she got married to American pilot Walter Gayda who was 15 years older than her. They met in Hong Kong and after three months of intense courtship, they got engaged. He knew she was an actress but had no idea how popular she was. They were married at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and because she was popular hundreds of fans surrounded the church. He was shocked at how popular she was. He did not like it. They honeymooned at the Bayview Hotel and flew out after one day to Hawaii.
“As the plane hovered over the landing strip in Hawaii, they looked out their plane window, wondering why there were photographers waiting. As it turned out, the press people were looking out for her. This displeased Walter Gayda all over again. The final straw that irritated Gayda was a TV guesting while they were in Hawaii. Returning to the hotel, Rosa was perplexed why Gayda was very, very cold.
“The next day, Rosa woke up early and Gayda was nowhere to be found. His friend went up to Rosa and said, ‘Rose, pack your bags. Don’t call him anymore, he has left you.’ She didn't know what to do. Confused and very hurt, she went back to the Philippines and a month after, she found out she was pregnant with Toni Rose.
“A couple of days before Rosa gave birth, through the efforts of Chino Roces, Walter came back. She saw him the day before she gave birth. Three days after, Rosa went out to see him in his hotel. Rosa's mother pleaded for her not to go anymore but Rosa said ‘my place is with my husband.’ When she got to the hotel, they would not let her in. Apparently, he was with a woman in his hotel room.
“When they finally got to talk, she told him, ‘Please give our marriage a chance. You can have the women you like, just make sure Toni knows her father.’ He looked at her and told her that he could not take her fame, it overwhelmed him how people always praised Rosa to him. Gayda summed it all up by saying, ‘I do not want to be known as Mr. Rosa Rosal.’
“Rosa never entertained any suitors after her failed marriage and instead dedicated her life to the Red Cross and helping those in need and raising Toni Rose.”
Meanwhile, entertainment writer and social entrepreneur Noel Ferrer wrote on his social media spaces a very touching tribute to Ms. Rosal and all moms in the world who have gone to the great beyond.
Noel titled his homage “Honoring Mothers of Good Friends: “It’s a privilege to honor the matriarchs of dear friends, whose love and guidance have shaped the lives of those I hold close. I had the opportunity to visit Tita Rose, mother of Toni Rose Gayda, and Ma’am Cely, mother of Direk Laurenti M. Dyogi, my first boss in ABS-CBN (“Tatak Pilipino” era).
“Following my hosting duties, I sought solace in the adoration chapel, praying for the souls of beloved mothers who have left their indelible marks: Nanay Nieves of Direk Dante Nico Garcia (Kapatid na—Brother—Ga to us) and Mommy Connie of Ditoy Aguila (and Dodie who happens to be my batchmate. @ditoy_eagle sorry to have missed the wake. Your ‘Both Sides Now’ video had me in tears. May their memory continue to inspire kindness and love.
“Let us cherish and honor our mothers, living and passed, by being beacons of love and compassion. It’s the most beautiful tribute we can offer.
“Sending love, prayers, and condolences to my dear friends, Toni Rose, Direk Lauren, Direk Dante (Ga), and Ditoy.”
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