Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe (July 28, 1941 – May 20, 2022), known professionally as Susan Roces (), was a Filipino actress. She was the wife of Ronald Allan Kelley Poe, better known as
Fernando Poe Jr.
Ronald Allan Kelley Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004), known professionally as Fernando Poe Jr., and often referred to by his initials FPJ, was a Filipino actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, and politician. His long and s ...
Roces was regarded as the "Queen of Philippine Movies" and starred in more than 130 films and television programs.
She won five
FAMAS Award
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...
s, including two
Best Actress
Best Actress is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organisations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actresses in a film, television series, television film or play. The first Best Actress awar ...
wins.
Luna Award
The Luna Awards are awards given annually by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Filipino film industry. The first awards were presented in 1983 in Pasay. It is considered to be the Philippine ...
s 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 Eastwood may refer to:
Places
;in Australia
*Eastwood, New South Wales
** Eastwood railway station
**Electoral district of Eastwood
*Eastwood, South Australia
;in Canada
* Eastwood, Ontario
* Eastwood, Edmonton, Alberta, a neighborhood
;in the ...
. She played the character "Lola Flora" on the
ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...
''
FPJ's Ang Probinsyano
''FPJ's Ang Probinsyano'' (lit. ''FPJ's The Provincial Man''; abbreviated as ''FPJAP'' and internationally known as ''Brothers'') is a 2015 Philippine action drama television series under ABS-CBN Entertainment replacing ''Nathaniel''. Bas ...
'' 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
Susan Roces was born as Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora in
Bacolod
Bacolod, officially the City of Bacolod (; hil, Dakbanwa/Syudad sang Bacolod; fil, Lungsod ng Bacolod), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the region of Western Visayas, Philippines. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidenta ...
,
Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental ( hil, Nakatungdang Negros; tl, Kanlurang Negros), officially the Province of Negros Occidental, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines, region. ...
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.
Ronald Allan Kelley Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004), known professionally as Fernando Poe Jr., and often referred to by his initials FPJ, was a Filipino actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, and politician. His long and s ...
on December 25, 1968, at the Santuario de San Jose Parish in
Greenhills, San Juan
Greenhills is an administrative division in eastern Metro Manila, the Philippines. It is an Urban area, urban barangay in San Juan, Metro Manila, San Juan and is the largest barangay in the city, covering a total area of that spans over a third ...
.
[ They have an adopted daughter, former ]MTRCB
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board ( fil, Lupon sa Rebyu at Klasipikasyon ng Pelikula at Telebisyon; abbreviated as MTRCB) is a Philippine government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines that is respon ...
Chairperson and now Senator Grace Poe
Mary Grace Natividad Sonora Poe-Llamanzares (baptized September 3, 1968) is a Filipino politician, businesswoman, educator, and philanthropist serving as a senator since 2013. She was the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Class ...
.
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
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Deputy Spe ...
won the election through electoral fraud
Electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election manipulation, voter fraud or vote rigging, involves illegal interference with the process of an election, either by increasing the vote share of a favored candidate, depressing the vote share of ...
at her husband's expense, demanded Arroyo to resign in June 2005.
On September 29, 2007, ABS-CBN Corporation
ABS-CBN Corporation is a Filipino media company based in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the largest entertainment and media conglomerate in the Philippines. It is a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation which is owned by t ...
acquired the exclusive rights for the movie
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
library
A library is a collection of materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a physical location or a vir ...
of Fernando Poe Jr. after Roces signed the contract
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties that creates, defines, and governs mutual rights and obligations between them. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to tran ...
. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III
Eugenio Gabriel "Gabby" Lopez III (born August 13, 1952) is a Filipino-American businessman who was the CEO (1993–2013), chairman (1997–2018) and chairman emeritus (2018–2020) of ABS-CBN Corporation, the largest entertainment and media co ...
, Cory Vidanes
María Socorro Valenzuela-Vidanes, popularly known as Cory Vidanes (born May 15, 1962), is a Filipina executive and Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast of ABS-CBN Corporation, the largest media conglomerate in the Philippines.
Personal life ...
, Senior Vice President
A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on t ...
of TVP Production, and Poe's daughter Grace Poe
Mary Grace Natividad Sonora Poe-Llamanzares (baptized September 3, 1968) is a Filipino politician, businesswoman, educator, and philanthropist serving as a senator since 2013. She was the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Class ...
, were present.
On the night of December 23, 2007, ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
Channel 2 aired ''Alay ni Da King: a Fernando Poe Jr. Special'', hosted by Charo Santos-Concio
María Rosario Navarro Santos-Concio (born October 27, 1955), popularly known as Charo Santos-Concio or simply Charo Santos (), is a Filipino people, Filipino media executive and actress. She is the host of ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'', the longest-runni ...
. Roces contributed on the feature of their married life. A 38-minute music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
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
Hiligaynon, also often referred to as Ilonggo or Binisaya/Bisaya nga Hiniligaynon/Inilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, predominantly in Western Visayas and Soccsksargen, most o ...
.
Career
Roces began her film career as a child actress
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...
debuting in the 1952 film '' Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan'' at age 11. In 1956, Roces went to Sampaguita Pictures
Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine national flower, sampaguita. Though no longer functioning, the company's Sampaguita Compound remains in Quezon City.
History
Sampaguita Pictures was es ...
' office in Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
to meet her idol Gloria Romero Gloria Romero may refer to:
*Gloria Romero (actress)
Gloria Anne Borrego Galla (born December 16, 1933), known professionally as Gloria Romero (), is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Movies”, her care ...
. 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
''Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara'' () is a 1974 Filipino psychological horror film directed by Celso Ad Castillo, written by Mike Relon Makiling, and starring Susan Roces as the eponymous character.
Plot
Barbara ( Susan Roces) has always been ...
'' (1974), ''Maligno'' and '' Mano Po 2: My Home'' (2003). She has also garnered five FAMAS Award
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...
s; two of which are Best Actress awards.[ During her career as a celebrity endorser, she appeared in various brands including ]Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta ...
, 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
An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a differ ...
''Maalaala Mo Kaya
''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (; formerly written as ''Maala-ala Mo Kaya...''; abbreviated as ''MMK''), also known as ''Memories'', is a Philippines, Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment. ...
''. 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
A host is a person responsible for guests at an event or for providing hospitality during it.
Host may also refer to:
Places
* Host, Pennsylvania, a village in Berks County
People
*Jim Host (born 1937), American businessman
* Michel Host ...
in ''Maligno
''Maligno'' () is an ABS-CBN primetime horror-action-thriller which was the second installment of '' Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection''.
The show is adapted from the 1977 movie of the same name which starred Susan Roces who ma ...
'' and '' Florinda''. Roces was cast as "Lola Aura" in ''Iisa Pa Lamang
''Iisa Pa Lamang'' (International title: ''My Only One'' / ) is a 2008 Philippine melodrama romantic suspense television series directed by Ruel S. Bayani and Manny Q. Palo. The series stars an ensemble cast consisting of Claudine Barretto, Ange ...
'' (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
''Babaeng Hampaslupa'' (International Name: ''The Poor Heiress'' / ; ) is a 2011 soap opera aired in the Philippines by TV5 and starred Susan Roces along with Alice Dixson and Alex Gonzaga and is directed by Eric Quizon and Joyce Bernal.
The ti ...
'' 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
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...
, Julia Montes
Mara Hautea Schnittka (; born March 19, 1995), known professionally as Julia Montes (), is a Filipino-German actress and model. She is one of the most sought-after actresses in the country and has been hailed as the “''Royal Princess of Dram ...
, Helen Gamboa
Helen Gamboa Sotto (born Helen Albent Gamboa; May 7, 1945) is a Filipina actress, singer, dancer and former beauty queen.
Personal life
Gamboa was born Helen Albent Gamboa at 6:35 PM on May 7, 1945 at Maternity and Children's Hospital (now ...
, Dawn Zulueta
Marie Rachel Salman Taleon-Lagdameo (born March 4, 1969), known professionally as Dawn Zulueta (), is a Filipino actress, host and commercial model. She was recognized as the only Filipino actor to win two different major accolades in acting cat ...
and Richard Gomez
Richard Frank Icasiano Gomez (; born April 7, 1966) is a Filipino actor, television presenter and director, politician, and épée fencing, fencer. He has been serving as the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Representative of Ley ...
, among many others. ''Walang Hanggan'' was a phenomenal success and the role earned her a PMPC Star Awards for TV
PMPC Star Awards for Television is an annual award-giving body recognizing the outstanding programming produced by the several TV networks in the Philippines.
It was founded by the Philippine Movie Press Club, an organization of tabloid repor ...
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
''Wansapanataym'' ( Filipinization of the English phrase "''once upon a time''") was a Philippine fantasy anthology television series produced and broadcast by ABS-CBN. It airs every Sunday night. The series was aired from June 22, 1997, to Febr ...
''. She later co-starred in ''Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon
''Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon'' (International title: ''Tomorrow Belongs to Me'' / ) is a 2014 Philippine melodrama television series directed by Jerome C. Pobocan and Trina N. Dayrit, the series stars Bea Alonzo in her very first dual role with Pa ...
'' (2014) as "Ruth".
Her one final role was when Roces co-starred again with Coco Martin in ''FPJ's Ang Probinsyano
''FPJ's Ang Probinsyano'' (lit. ''FPJ's The Provincial Man''; abbreviated as ''FPJAP'' and internationally known as ''Brothers'') is a 2015 Philippine action drama television series under ABS-CBN Entertainment replacing ''Nathaniel''. Bas ...
'' (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
Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is a medical emergency that, without immediate medical intervention, will result in sudden cardiac death within minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and possib ...
. 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
Mary Grace Natividad Sonora Poe-Llamanzares (baptized September 3, 1968) is a Filipino politician, businesswoman, educator, and philanthropist serving as a senator since 2013. She was the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Class ...
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
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
and the House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
passed resolutions to honor her legacy. The ACT-CIS Partylist proposed to posthumously award Roces the National Artist of the Philippines
The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (Filipino: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippin ...
Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry. She is buried next to her late husband in the Manila North Cemetery
The Manila North Cemetery (Spanish: ''Cementerio del Norte'') is one of the oldest cemeteries in Metro Manila, Philippines. The cemetery is owned by and located in the City of Manila, the national capital, and is one of the largest in the metropo ...
.
Filmography
Television
Film
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roces, Susan
1941 births
2022 deaths
20th-century Filipino actresses
21st-century Filipino actresses
Actresses from Negros Occidental
Filipino television actresses
Filipino child actresses
Filipino women comedians
Filipino film actresses
Filipino philanthropists
Filipino television personalities
People from Bacolod
Susan
Hiligaynon people
Visayan people