Susan Roces

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Levi, the birth surname or paternal family name is Sonora, and the marital name is Poe.

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.^[1] Roces was regarded as the "Queen of Philippine Movies" and starred in more than 130 films and television programs.^[2] 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.^[3] In 2005, Roces was one of the first inductees on Eastwood City Walk of Fame.^[4] 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.^[5]

This article is written in Philippine English, which has its own spelling conventions (color, realize, center, travelled) and some terms that are used in it (including jeepney and cyberlibel) may be different or absent from other varieties of English. According to the relevant style guide, this should not be changed without broad consensus.

Susan Roces
Susan in a postage stamp of the PhilPost
Born	Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora (1941-07-28)July 28, 1941 Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Died	May 20, 2022(2022-05-20) (aged 80) San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Resting place	Manila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1952–2022
Spouse	Fernando Poe Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1968; died 2004)​
Children	Grace Poe (adopted daughter)
Relatives	Rosemarie Sonora (sister) Sheryl Cruz (niece)

Early life and education

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora was born^[6] in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on July 28, 1941.^[7] She was the daughter of Jesus Tonggoy Sonora and Purificacion Levy.^[8]

Roces finished her high school studies at the La Consolacion College (LCC) in Bacolod in 1956.^[9] 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.^[8]

Personal life

Susan Roces married Fernando Poe, Jr. on December 25, 1968, at the Santuario de San José in Greenhills, San Juan del Monte.^[10] They have an adopted daughter, former MTRCB Chairperson and now Senator Grace Poe and sister of Rosemarie Sonora.

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.^[11]

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.^[12]

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.^[13]

She also spoke Hiligaynon language.^[9]

Career

Susan Roces with Eddie Gutierrez in 1966

Roces began her film career as a child actress debuting in the 1952 film Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan at age 11.^[10] 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.^[2] 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).^[14] She has also garnered five FAMAS Awards; two of which are Best Actress awards.^[10] 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.^[10]

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 to new audiences 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.^[15] Walang Hanggan was a phenomenal success and the role earned her a PMPC Star Awards for TV nomination for Best Drama Actress.^[16] Roces worked again with Montes in Muling Buksan ang Puso (2013) and with Martin in a 2013 Christmas episode of fantasy anthology series Wansapanataym.^[17][18] She later co-starred in Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon (2014) as "Ruth".

Her final television assignment FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015), an adaptation of her late husband's of the same name which would go on to be the longest-running Philippine drama series of all time. Again co-starring with Coco Martin, she portrayed the key character "Lola Flora", grandmother of the series' protagonists Ador de Leon and 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.^[19]

Death and memorial

Tomb of Roces and her husband Fernando Poe Jr. at the Manila North Cemetery on November 1, 2022

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.^[14][20][21] Her daughter Grace Poe had also said "My mother is already old." The cause of her death was listed as heart failure.^[22] The Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions to honor her legacy.^[23] The ACT-CIS Partylist proposed to posthumously award Roces the National Artist of the Philippines Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry.^[24] She was buried next to her late husband in the Manila North Cemetery.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network	Notes
1996	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Anita Mariano	ABS-CBN	Episode: "Pahiram ng Isang Pasko"
1997	Wansapanataym	Lucring		Episode: "The Christmas Witch"
2006	John en Shirley	Encarnation Ramirez		Supporting Cast
2008	Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara	Amanda
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Angge		Episode: "Basura"
	Iisa Pa Lamang	Aura Castillejos		Supporting Cast
2009	May Bukas Pa	Nieves Antazo		Guest Cast
2009–2010	Sana Ngayong Pasko	Remedios Dionisio	GMA Network	Main Cast
2011	Babaeng Hampaslupa	Helena See	TV5
	100 Days to Heaven	Amelita Manalastas-Salvador	ABS-CBN	Guest Cast
2012	Walang Hanggan	Virginia "Henya" Cruz		Supporting Cast
2013	Muling Buksan ang Puso	Adelina Laurel-Beltran
	Wansapanataym	Fenny		Episode: "Simbang Gabi"
2014	Eat Bulaga! Lenten Drama Special	Maria	GMA Network	Television film; episode: "Karugtong ng Puso"
	Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon	Ruth Gaspar	ABS-CBN	Supporting Cast
2015–2022	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Flora Borja-de Leon		Main Cast (Finale TV appearance) Signing Off

Film

Year	Original title	English title	Production Company
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	Ipinagbili Ko ang Aking Anak	I Sold My Son
	Handsome
	Pitong Pagsisisi	Seven Repentance
	Debutante	Debutant
	Mga Anghel sa Lansangan	Angels on the Streets
	Susan Roces at the Pacific Festival[25][26][27]
	Wedding Bells
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	cOnly 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 (+ 1): One Plus One Equals Twelve (Cheaper by the Dozen)		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 (Last Movie Appearance)		Regal Entertainment

Awards and nominations

This list is complete and up to date as of January 2024.

Award-giving body	Year	Category	Nominated Work(s)	Result
FAMAS Awards	1959	Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award	—	Won
	1966	Best Actress	Ana-Roberta	Nominated
	1968		Maruja	Nominated
	1969		To Susan with love	Nominated
	1971		Divina Gracia	Nominated
	1973		Bilangguang puso	Nominated
	1974		Hanggang sa Kabila ng daigdig: The Tony Maiquez Story	Nominated
	1975		Patayin mo sa Sindak si Barbara	Nominated
	1978		Maligno	Won
	1979		Gumising ka Maruja	Won
	1987		Nasaan ka ng kailangan kita	Nominated
	1988		Paano Kung wala ka na	Nominated
	1990		Ang lahat ng Ito pati na ang langit	Nominated
	1998		Isinakdal ko ang aking ina	Nominated
	2003	Lifetime Achievement Award	—	Won
	2004	Huwarang Bituin	—	Won
22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television	2008	Best Single Performance by an Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Basura	Nominated
Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival	2009	Cinema One Legend Award	—	Won
PMPC Star Awards for Movies	2011	Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award	—	Won
26th PMPC Star Awards for Television	2012	Best Drama Actress	Walang Hanggan	Nominated
27th PMPC Star Awards for Television	2013	Best Drama Supporting Actress	Walang Hanggan	Nominated
FAMAS Awards	2015	Iconic Movie Queen of Philippine Cinema	—	Won
30th PMPC Star Awards for Television	2016	Drama Supporting Actress	Ang Probinsyano	Nominated
FAMAS Awards	2017	Lifetime Achievement Award	—	Won
31st PMPC Star Awards for Television	2017	Best Drama Supporting Actress	Ang Probinsyano	Nominated
32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television	2018		Ang Probinsyano	Nominated
PMPC Star Awards for Movies	2019	Outstanding Star of the Century (Natatanging bituin ng siglo)	—	Won
33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television	2019	Best Drama Supporting Actress	Ang Probinsyano	Nominated
Entertainment Editors Choice Awards	2022	Posthumous Award	—	Won

References

1. Lu, Monet (August 3, 2012). "Susan Roces: The True Queen of Philippine Movies". Asian Journal. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
2. "Susan Roces: Queen of RP Movies". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
3. "Absent ang mga major winner ng FAP" [Major winners of FAP absent]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
4. "Eastwood City Walk of Fame". Vigattin Tourism (ARTICLES) – Philippines. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
5. "Post Office stamps 'immortalize' 10 outstanding Filipinos". Philippine News Agency. February 28, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
6. Lara, Tanya (May 9, 2021). "Grace Poe, Injap Sia, Rex Gatchalian: Lessons my mother taught me". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
7. Co, Adrian (May 21, 2022). "Bacolodnon 'movie queen' Susan Roces passes away". Panay News. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
8. Gomez, Carla (May 21, 2022). "A look back at Susan Roces' beginnings in Bacolod". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
9. "Susan Roces to grace alma mater's centennial celebration in Bacolod". Sunstar. March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
10. "Susan Roces: The Face that Refreshes". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
11. Mendez, Christina. "Susan ready to replace GMA". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
12. Mario Dumaumal "ABS-CBN acquires right to 'Da King's' movie library" Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, 29 September 2009.
13. ‘Alay ni Da King: An FPJ Special’ encores tomorrow Archived May 21, 2022, at the Wayback Machine. mb.com.ph, 22 December 2007.
14. "Veteran actress Susan Roces dies at 80". Rappler. May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
15. "Susan Roces glad to be part of 'Walang Hanggan'". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
16. "'Walang Hanggan' gets 7 nominations in Star Awards". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
17. "Susan Roces has not sealed her heart". Inquirer Entertainment. July 14, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
18. "Coco Martin, Susan Roces reunite in 'Wansapanataym'". ABS-CBN News. December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
19. "'Andiyan lang sila': Susan Roces' final scene in 'Ang Probinsyano' about departed loved ones". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). May 21, 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
20. Cruz, Marinel (May 22, 2022). "Susan Roces, 80: Iconic in film, low key in charity". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
21. Nemes, Adrian III (May 23, 2022). "Negrenses mourn death of Susan Roces". Sunstar. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
22. "Veteran actress Susan Roces dies at 80". Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
23. Ramos-Araneta, Macon; Cruz, Maricel (May 24, 2022). "Senate, House honor Susan Roces". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
24. "Paggawad ng National Artist award kay Susan Roces isusulong ng asawa ni Raffy Tulfo; ano'ng reaksyon ni Grace Poe?" [Conferrment of the National Artist award to Susan Roces to be pushed by Raffy Tulfo's wife; what's the reaction of Grace Poe?]. Bandera (in Filipino). Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
25. "Susan Roces 'short' set for showing". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 9, 1959. Cameraman Amaury Agra... recorded the highlights of the [Pacific] Festival.... The Sampaguita short feature...
26. "Comedy addicts have field day in riotous Sampaguita offering". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 16, 1959. p. 5-B. 'Ipinagbili Kami Ng Aming Tatay' will be shown along with a special added attraction, 'Susan Roces at the Pacific Festival,' a four-reeler...
27. "...Why Sampaguita Pictures quit the FAMAS". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. March 1960. Awards returned by Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.... Documentary: 1959—Susan Roces at the Pacific Festival

External links

• Susan Roces at IMDb