Veteran broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez has paid a moving tribute to the late screen legend and humanitarian Rosa Rosal, who passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the age of 97.
A Personal Bond and a Mother's Role
In a heartfelt post on her official Instagram account, Sanchez revealed a deeply personal connection with the late icon. She shared that Rosa Rosal became a mother figure to her on the day she got married, filling a void left by her own mother's passing.
"When my Mom passed away too early at 64, I had no mother to see me through my wedding," Sanchez wrote, expressing her profound gratitude for Rosal's presence during that significant life event.
A Shared Mission of Compassion
The bond between Sanchez and Rosal was strengthened through years of collaboration on various charitable endeavors. They worked together on many Philippine Red Cross blood donation drives, a cause that Rosal championed for decades.
Sanchez found a powerful source of inspiration in Rosal's life story, describing it as "an inspiration every woman must have." She highlighted Rosal's resilience, noting she was widowed early and never remarried, instead choosing to dedicate the rest of her life entirely to public service.
A Seven-Decade Legacy with the Philippine Red Cross
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) officially announced her passing on that same Saturday. In a statement, the organization honored her unparalleled commitment, stating she had devoted over seven decades of her life to their service.
For more than 70 years, Gov. Rosal championed voluntary blood donation across the nation. Her work was foundational, as she also strengthened the PRC's welfare services and used every platform available to her to promote the core values of compassion, volunteerism, and the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.
The legacy of Rosa Rosal, as remembered by both a close friend and the institution she served, remains a towering example of selfless dedication to the people of the Philippines.
