Atang Dela Rama (January 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991): National Artist for Theater and Music
Atang, Queen of Kundiman in 1979, firmly believes that the sarswela and the kundiman express best the Filipino soul, and even performed kundiman and other Filipino songs for the Aetas or Negritos of Zambales and the Sierra Madre, the Bagobos of Davao, and other Lumad of Mindanao.
She became the very first actress in the very first locally produced Filipino film when she essayed the same role in Dalagang Bukid’s film version. As early as age seven, Atang was already being cast in Spanish zarzuelas such as Mascota, sueño de un Vals, and Marina.
Her role as an orphan in Pangarap ni Rosa was the most rewarding and satisfying role that she played.
As early as age seven, Atang dela Rama was already being cast in Spanish zarzuelas such as Mascota, Sueño de un Vals, and Marina. She counted the role of an orphan in Pangarap ni Rosa as her most rewarding and satisfying role that she played with realism, the stage sparkling with silver coins tossed by a teary-eyed audience. Atang firmly believed that the sarswela and the kundiman express the Filipino soul, and even performed kundiman and other Filipino songs for the Aetas of Zambales and the Sierra Madre, the Bagobos of Davao, and other Lumad of Mindanao.
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