Susan Roces

Susan Roces
Susan Roces (cropped from poster).jpg
Susan as depicted in a PhilPost's poster
Born
Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora

(1941-07-28)July 28, 1941
DiedMay 20, 2022(2022-05-20) (aged 80)
San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Resting placeManila North Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
OccupationActress
Years active1952–2022
Spouse
(m. 1968; died 2004)
ChildrenGrace Poe (adopted daughter)
RelativesRosemarie Sonora (sister)
Sheryl Cruz (niece)

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe (July 28, 1941 – May 20, 2022), known professionally as Susan Roces (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈɾɔsɛs]), was a Filipino actress. She was the wife of Ronald Allan Kelley Poe, better known as Fernando Poe Jr. Roces was regarded as the "Queen of Philippine Movies" and starred in more than 130 films and television programs. She won five FAMAS Awards, including two Best Actress wins. Luna Awards honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her long-standing career and contribution to Philippine cinema. In 2005, Roces was one of the first inductees on Eastwood City Walk of Fame. She played the character "Lola Flora" on the ABS-CBN television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano since the pilot episode in 2015. Months prior to her death in 2022, Roces was honored by The Philippine Post Office with a commemorative stamp.

Early life and education

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora was born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on July 28, 1941. She was the daughter of Jesus Tonggoy Sonora and Purificacion Levy.

Roces finished her high school studies at the La Consolacion College (LCC) in Bacolod in 1956. It was during her stay at LCC that she committed to pursue a career in acting. Her third year high school teacher Luisa Medel recognized her talent in public speaking and acting and advised her to take the same course as her for her tertiary education. After graduating from high school, Roces went to Manila to follow her mentor's advice.

Personal life

Roces married Fernando Poe Jr. on December 25, 1968, at the Santuario de San Jose Parish in Greenhills, San Juan. They have an adopted daughter, former MTRCB Chairperson and now Senator Grace Poe.

She was an advocate for her husband, who ran for president in the 2004 Philippine presidential election, and later died of stroke in December 2004. Roces convinced that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the election through electoral fraud at her husband's expense, demanded Arroyo to resign in June 2005.

On September 29, 2007, ABS-CBN Corporation acquired the exclusive rights for the movie library of Fernando Poe Jr. after Roces signed the contract. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe's daughter Grace Poe, were present.

On the night of December 23, 2007, ABS-CBN Channel 2 aired Alay ni Da King: a Fernando Poe Jr. Special, hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. Roces contributed on the feature of their married life. A 38-minute music video was also shown featuring various scenes from several Poe's movies, a project Poe himself had just finished working on before he died.

She also spoke Hiligaynon language.

Career

Roces began her film career as a child actress debuting in the 1952 film Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan at age 11. In 1956, Roces went to Sampaguita Pictures' office in Quezon City to meet her idol Gloria Romero. Jose Perez, founder and head of the film studio, offered Roces a contract on the spot leading to her first starring role in Boksingera. Roces also starred in several Philippine feature films including Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw (1965), Gumising Ka Maruja (1967), Patayin Mo Sa Sindak Si Barbara (1974), Maligno and Mano Po 2: My Home (2003). She has also garnered five FAMAS Awards; two of which are Best Actress awards. During her career as a celebrity endorser, she appeared in various brands including Coca-Cola, Lux, Blend 45, and Lavoris, as well as on TV commercials of RiteMed and Champion Detergent.

She appeared in two episodes of the long-running drama anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya. In Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection (2008–2009), she played the character "Amanda" in the TV adaptation of Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara, and also served as a host in Maligno and Florinda. Roces was cast as "Lola Aura" in Iisa Pa Lamang (2008), and later guest-starred on episodes of May Bukas Pa (2009) and 100 Days to Heaven (2011). She was also part of the TV5 drama series Babaeng Hampaslupa in the main role of "Helena".

Roces became recognized for her breakthrough role as "Lola Henya" in Walang Hanggan (2012), where she shared credits with Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Helen Gamboa, Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez, among many others. Walang Hanggan was a phenomenal success and the role earned her a PMPC Star Awards for TV nomination for Best Drama Actress. Roces worked again with Montes in Muling Buksan ang Puso (2013) and with Martin in a 2013 Christmas episode of fantasy anthology series Wansapanataym. She later co-starred in Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon (2014) as "Ruth".

Her one final role was when Roces co-starred again with Coco Martin in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015), the longest-running Philippine drama series of all time. She portrayed the key character "Lola Flora", grandmother of the series' protagonist Cardo Dalisay. Her long-standing participation in the series lasted for six years, until her untimely death in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Death

Roces died on May 20, 2022 at the age of 80, due to cardiopulmonary arrest. A day earlier, she was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila because of chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Her daughter Grace Poe had also said ‘’My mother is already old. She's 80 years old. The cause of her death, according to the doctor, is cardiopulmonary arrest which means heart failure.,, The Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions to honor her legacy. The ACT-CIS Partylist proposed to posthumously award Roces the National Artist of the Philippines Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry. She is buried next to her late husband in the Manila North Cemetery.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Network Notes
2015–2022 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Flora Borja-de Leon ABS-CBN Series regular (final TV appearance)
2014 Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon Ruth Gaspar Series regular
Eat Bulaga! Lenten Drama Special Maria Television film; episode: "Karugtong ng Puso"
2013 Wansapanataym Fenny ABS-CBN Episode: "Simbang Gabi"
Muling Buksan ang Puso Adelina Laurel-Beltran Series regular
2012 Walang Hanggan Virginia "Henya" Cruz Series regular
2011 100 Days to Heaven Amelita Manalastas-Salvador Guest role
Babaeng Hampaslupa Helena See Main role
2009 May Bukas Pa Nieves Antazo Guest role
Sana Ngayong Pasko Remedios Dionisio Main role
2008 Iisa Pa Lamang Aura Castillejos ABS-CBN Series regular
Maalaala Mo Kaya Angge Episode: "Basura"
Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection
Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara
Amanda Main role
2006 John en Shirley Encarnation Ramirez
1996 Maalaala Mo Kaya Anita Mariano Episode: "Pahiram ng Isang Pasko"

Film

Year Original title English title Production
1952 Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan Stars of the Future Nepomuceno Pictures
1956 Boksingera Female Boxer Sampaguita Pictures
Kulang sa 7 Less than 7 Vera Perez Pictures
Mga Anak ng Diyos Children of God Sampaguita Pictures
1957 Sino ang Maysala? Who Is Guilty? Vera Perez Pictures
Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak The Wild Flowers Sampaguita Pictures
1958 Prinsesang Gusgusin Unkempt Princess
Ako ang Maysala I Am the Guilty One Vera Perez Pictures
Mga Reyna ng Vicks The Queens of Vicks Sampaguita Pictures
Madaling Araw Dawn
Tawag ng Tanghalan Call of the Stage Vera Perez Pictures
Ulilang Anghel Orphaned Angel Sampaguita Pictures
1959 Wedding Bells
Mga Anghel sa Lansangan Angels on the Streets
Pitong Pagsisisi Seven Repentance
Debutante Debutant
Handsome
Ipinagbili Ko ang Aking Anak I Sold My Son
1960 Beatnik
1964 The Dolly Sisters
1965 Portrait of My Love
Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw You Are My World FPJ Productions
Pilipinas Kong Mahal My Beloved Philippines
1966 Zamboanga
Pepe en Pilar Pepe and Pilar RVQ Productions
1967 Maruja Lea Productions
Langit at Lupa Heaven and Earth FPJ Productions
1968 To Susan with Love Rosas Productions
Anong Ganda Mo? Sampaguita Pictures
Bakasin Mo sa Gunita Trace It Back to Memory Lea Productions
Bandana Bandanna Rosas Productions
Sorrento FPJ Productions
Magpakailan Man Forevermore
Tanging Ikaw Only You
Kulay Rosas ang Pag-ibig Love is Rose Tinted Rosas Productions
1969 Perlas ng Silangan Pearl of the East FPJ Productions
Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin You are My Everything
1970 Divina Gracia Divine Grace
1972 Salaginto't Salagubang Goldbug and Junebug
1973 Karnabal Carnival
Florinda Rosas Productions
1974 Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara Scare Barbara To Death
1977 Maligno Evil
1978 Gumising Ka, Maruja Wake Up, Maruja FPJ Productions
1979 Mahal... Saan Ka Nanggaling Kagabi? Love... Where Were You Last Night?
Mahal... Ginagabi Ka Nanaman Love... You Came Home Late Again
Angelita... Ako ang Iyong Ina Angelita... I Am Your Mother Larry Santiago Productions
1980 Tanikala Chain Cine Filipinas
1982 Manedyer si Kumander The Wife Is the Manager FPJ Productions
1984 Hoy Wala Kang Paki Hey It's None of Your Business Vanguard Films
Twin Bee Production
1986 Nasaan Ka nang Kailangan Kita? Where Were You When I Needed You? Regal Films
Inday Inday sa Balitaw Inday, Inday on the Balitaw
Payaso Clown Sialina Film Enterprises
1987 Bunsong Kerubin Youngest Cherub Regal Films
No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander No Retreat... No Surrender... For the Commander FPJ Productions
1 + 1 = 12 Plus 1 Regal Films
1988 Love Boat: Mahal Trip Kita Love Boat: Love I Like You
Kambal Tuko Twin Geckos
Buy One, Take One VIVA Films
1989 Ang Lahat ng Ito Pati Na ang Langit All of These and Even Heaven
Here Comes the Bride Regal Films
1990 Mundo Man ay Magunaw Even If the World Ends Seiko Films
Feel na Feel Feel to Feel Regal Films
1991 Ubos Na ang Luha Ko I Have No More Tears to Shed Seiko Films
1997 Isinakdal Ko ang Aking Ina I Accused My Mother VIVA Films
2003 Mano Po 2: My Home Regal Entertainment

This page was last updated at 2022-10-21 00:47 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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