(CNN Philippines, May 20) - Veteran actress Susan Roces has died on Friday, her daughter, Senator Grace Poe, confirmed. She was 80.
"With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces," Poe's official statement read.
"She passed away peacefully on a Friday evening, May 20, 2022, surrounded by love and warmth, with her daughter Grace, her nephews Joseph and Jeffrey and many of her family and close friends," it added.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Poe confirmed the cause of her mother's death.
"Ang aking nanay, nasa edad na rin. 80 years old na sya. Ang kanyang ikinamatay, ito yung sinabi ng doctor, cardiopulmonary arrest. Ibig sabihin, bumigay po ang kanyang puso," she 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.
Poe added there was "something different" with her mother during the past two weeks.
Roces was the widow of fellow veteran actor Fernando Poe Jr., who has died in 2004. Grace Poe is their lone daughter.
"Sa tingin ko, talagang nangungulila na sya sa tatay ko. Matagal na rin di ba," Poe bared as her voice cracks. "Madalas kapag nag-uusap kami, sya pa rin ang pinag-uusapan namin."
Source: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/20/Veteran-actress-Susan-Roces-dies-at-80.html
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Rewind: Year 1956 
Susan Roces had just graduated from high school and was preparing to enroll in college when she learned there was an open house at Sampaguita Studios. Since she was a big fan of actress Gloria Romero, she decided to visit the studio with her Aunt Tessie Alava. When Susan arrived at the studio, she didn’t pay much attention to a man in a moustache who was sitting in a corner quietly admiring her. Suddenly, the man approached her and asked if she was there in the studio to audition for a role or if she wanted to become an actress. Surprised by the man’s offer, Susan didn’t answer and walked away. Her aunt then whispered to her that the man was Dr. Perez, the owner of Sampaguita Pictures. Her aunt added that she was told to go the Vera Perez residence the next day.
With nothing to lose, Susan went to the Vera Perez mansion early in the morning carrying her graduation dress. She was accompanied by her uncle, Nestor Levi. Aring Bautista, a character actress living at the Vera Perez mansion, saw Susan and asked why she was there. When Susan said she wanted to become an actress, Bautista pointed out that Sampaguita Pictures was not in need of new talent but LVN Pictures was. When Susan and her uncle were about to leave the studio, they bumped into Director Mar S. Torres. “Are you the lady who is scheduled to take the screen test today?” Torres asked her. Susan just nodded so Torres accompanied her to the set for her first ever screen test.
When Doc Perez woke up the same morning, he asked Aring if a young lady went to the studio. “Yes,” she answered, but she told her to go to LVN Studios where they needed new talent. Doc Perez was shocked but was able to let out a sigh of relief when Director Torres told him that he already gave Roces a screen test which she had passed.
She was given a lead role in the movie Boksingera but it was shelved after they finished filming because the people at Sampaguita Studos felt it was too early for her to star in a movie. Instead, the studio bigwigs decided to give Roces a supporting role in the movie Miss Tilapia which starred her idol Gloria Romero.
Reference: My True Friend by Pablo S. Gomez/
Philippine Free Press/ January 3, 2004
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SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
Susan Roces first appeared in the movie Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan under Jose Nepomuceno Productions in 1952 before being rediscovered in 1956.
Movie Fan (1956)- Stars Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez/ Guest- Susan Roces/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Miss Tilapia (1956)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo/ Introducing Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Boksingera (1956)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Dolphy and Susan Roces in the title role/ with Panchito Alba, Nelly Baylon, Pacita Arana/ Directed by Octavio Silos
Kulang sa Pito (1956)- Stars Dolphy, Eddie Arenas, Norma Vales and Susan Roces/ with Panchito Alba, Boy Planas/ Directed by Armando Garces/
This was supposed to be Susan's first starring role, but it was Boksingera that was shown and screened first.
Sino ang Maysala? (1957)- Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Gloria Romero, Paraluman, Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Rosa Mia, Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Armando Garces
Mga Anak ng Diyos (1957)- Stars Gloria Romero, Rita Gomez, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Rosa Mia, Romeo Vasquez, Tony Marzan/ Directed by Mar S. Torres, Armando Garces and Conrado Conde
Pasang Krus (1957)- Stars Rita Gomez, Luis Gonzales, Rosa Mia, Tony Marzan/ Guest- Susan Roces/ Directed by Octavio Silos
Torkwata (1957)- Stars Eddie Arenas, Susan Roces, Aruray,
Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Rosa Mia
Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak (1957)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Daisy Romualdez, Tony Marzan, Eddie Garcia and introducing Marlene Dauden/Directed by Tony Cayado
Prinsesa Gusgusin (1957)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Tito Galla, Nelly Baylon, Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala, Rod Navarro/ Directed byCarlos Vander Tolosa
Ulilang Anghel (1958)- Stars Paraluman, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Barbara Perez, Daisy Romuladez, Tony Marzan, Tito Galla, Greg Martin, Jose Mari, Tony Cayado and Rosemarie in the title role/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Tawag ng Tanghalan (1958)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez and Jose Mari/ Directed by Armando Garces
Mga Reyna ng Vicks (1958)- Stars Gloria Romero, Rita Gomez, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Ric Rodrigo, Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez, Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
ParuParong Bukid (1958)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Dolphy, Daisy Roualdez/ Guest- Susan Roces/ Directed by Armando Garces
Mga Anghel sa Lansangan (1959)- Stars Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Rosa MIa, Tito Galla, Liberty Ilagan, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Kahapon Lamang (1959)- Stars Gloria Romero, Paraluman, Van de Leon, Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Greg Martin, Patria Plata/Directed by Mar S. Torres
Ipinagbili Ko Ang Aking Anak (1959)- Stars Paraluman, Van de Leon, Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Armando Garces
Wedding Bells (1959)- Stars Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Barbara Perez, Juancho Gutierrez, Romeo Vasquez, Jose Mari, Greg Martin/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Handsome (1959)- Stars Jose Mari and Susan Roces/ Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa
Debutante (1959)- Stars Carmen Rosales, Oscar Moreno, Eddie Arenas, Romeo Vasquez, Daisy Romualdez and Susan Roces in the title role/ Directed by Rosa Mia
7 Amores (1960)- All-Sar-cast
Sa Hardin ng Diyos (1960)- Stars Fred Montilla, Juancho Gutierrez, Romeo Vasquez, Tito Galla, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Barbara Perez, Liberty Ilagan/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Susan Roces was simply a movie fan of Gloria Romero when she was discovered by Doc Jose Perez, owner of Sampaguita Pictures inside the studio compound while watching her idol and asking for an autograph (see my earlier post). Her early movie comedies--- Boksingera, Daw! in 1956, (her first movie), Susanang Daldal and Susan, Susay, Susie (where she portrayed three different characters) were her favorites. She also did some several light dramas during her stay with Sampaguita like Tulisan (1962) with Amalia Fuentes and Batas ng Lipunan (1961). It was when she turned freelance that she was offered heavy drama roles in such movies as Bayan Ko, Lumaban Ka (1964), Ana-Roberta (1964), and old-time favorite Maruja (1969) with Romeo Vasquez. Her first movie when she turned freelance was Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw in 1965 with Fernando Poe, Jr. (see earlier post for FPJ-Susan Roces starrers). It was in the 60s when fans saw the rivalry between two Queens of Philippine Movies—Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes, the love teams of Susan and Ronnie Poe, of Susan and Eddie Guitierez, of Susan and Romeo Vasquez and Amalia and Romeo Vasquez. The decade of the 60s was a fruitful and busiest era for Ms. Roces where she made movies one after another and there were times her movies were shown every other week or 12-15 movies in a year.
Ang Magkakapitbahay (1960)- Stars Dolphy, Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Rosa Mia, Panchito/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Amy, Susie and Tessie (1960)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Tessie Agana, Juancho Gutierrez, Romeo Vasquez, Jose Mari, Paraluman and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Beatnik (1960)- Stars Dolphy, Eddie Arenas, Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Wind Duo, Panchito, Rod Navarro/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Dugo sa Aking Kamay (1961)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Barbara Perez, Tito Galla, Rosa Mia/ Directed by Armando Garces
Dope Addict (196)- Stars Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Tito Galla, Tony Marzan with Naty Santiago and Rodolfo Reyes (Times reporter)/ Directed by Tony Cayado
5 Yugto ng Buhay (1961)- All-Sar-cast
DZXL Radio Program- Ay Neneng! (1961)
Sa Linggo Ang Bola (1961)- Stars Fred Montilla, Paraluman, Rita Gomez, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Barbara Perez, Dolphy & Panchito, Eddie Gutierrez, Josephine Garcia, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Rosa Mia
Eca Babagot (1961)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Dolphy, Susan Roces, Jean Lopez, Panchito/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Batas ng Lipunan (1961)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Daisy Romualdez, Eddie Garcia, Rosa Mia, Tony Cayado/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Joey, Eddie and Lito (1961)- Stars Jose Mari, Eddie Gutierrez, Lito Legaspi, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Liberty Ilagan/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
The Big Broadcast (1962)- All Star Cast/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Susanang Daldal (1962)- Stars Dolphy & Panchito, Eddie Gutierrez, Jean Lopez, Lito Legaspi and Susan Roces in the title role/ Directed byRomy Vilaflor
Susanang Twist (1962)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Patsy, Jose Cris Soto, Meldy Corrales/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Lab na Lab Kita (1962)- Stars Dolphy & Panchito, Susan Roces, Leila Benitez, Lito Legaspi/ Directed by Romy Vilaflor
Tulisan(1962)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Tito Galla, Greg Martin, Tony Marzan/ Directed by Jose De Villa
Susan, Susay at Susie (1962)- Stars Susan Roces, JoseMari,
Eddie Gutierrez and Lito Legapi
Sa Puso ng Isang Ina (1963)- Stars Susan Roces, Marlene Dauden,
Tito Galla, Rosa Mia and Juancho Gutierrez
Sabina (1963)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Lito Legapi, Bella Flores, Etang Discher, Charlie Davao, Boy Alano/ Introducing Gina Pareno/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Dance-O-Rama (1963)- Stars Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Rosemarie, Juvy Cachola, Dindo Fernando, Bert Leroy, Jr., Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Meldy Corrales/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Ako'y Ibigin Mo, Dalagang Matapang (1963)- Stars Susan Roces, Jose Mari and Bert Leroy Jr./ Directed by Tony Cayado
Eddie Loves Susie (1963)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Rosemarie, Pepito Gutierez and Tessie Agana/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos
Jukebox Jamboree (1964)
Libis ng Baryo (1964)
Leron-Leron Sinta (1964)
Hi-Sosayti (1964)
Hamon sa Kampeon (1964)
Dandansoy (1965)
Romansa sa World's Fair (1965)
Pag-ibig, Ikaw ang Maysala (1965)
Ang Maganda Kong Kapit-bahay (1965)
The Dolly Sisters (1965)
Ana-Roberta (1965)
Buhay sa Buhay! (1965) with Joseph Estrada
Swanie (1965)
Mula Nang Kita'y Ibigin (1966)
Viva Ranchera (1966)
Portrait of My Love (1966)
Mariang Kondesa (1966)
Itinakwil Man Kita (1966)
Si Siyanang at ang 7 Tsikiting (1966)
Dedicated to You (1966) with Eddie Mesa
Let's Do the Freddie (1966) with Eddie Mesa
Anong Ganda Mo! (1967)
Still from the 1967 movie "Maruja"
Maruja (1967)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Perla Bautista/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Stills from the 1967 movie "Maruja"
In 1967, Susan Roces starred in Mars Ravelo’s immortal love story, Maruja with Romeo Vasquez. She was nominated for that year’s Famas Best Actress award. Many believed that her performance was good enough to snare the elusive award. “There is depth, there is feeling! This is a far cry from the run of the mill Susan Roces’ acting. You can’t help but cry with her as she waits for Gabriel (played by Vasquez) to return. Maruja is a long way from Boksingera when Susan was given her first starring role 10 years ago. It took Maruja to reveal a sensitive actress who could depict her emotions on the screen,” one movie scribe commented. Unfortunately, she was edged out by talented drama icon and multi-awarded actress Marlene Dauden for the movie Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan. The Famas Best Actor award went to Fernando Poe, Jr, for Alabok sa Lupa. It could have been grand evening if Susan was adjudged Best Actress.
Thanks to James de la Rosa for the
above magazine articles and clippings
After Maruja, Susan made memorable movies and deliver good performances in Langit at Lupa (1967) and an epic movie Perlas ng Silangan (1969) both opposite FPJ, Bakasin Mo sa Gunita (1968) and Bandana (1968) --- both with Romeo Vasquez. In between, she did light romantic comedy movies--- Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw, Sitsiritsit Alibangbang, Kami'y Taga-ilog, To Susan with Love, Salaginto't Salagubang, Karnabal, among others.
It was in the 70s that her acting talent was honed and polished to the fullest, mostly in horror-suspense flicks like Florinda (1973), Celso Ad Castillo’s Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara (1974) and Langit, Lupa at Impiyerno (Pandemonuim) (1976).
It took another ten more years before Susan won her first Famas Best Actress award in Celso Ad Castillo’s Maligno (1977). Though she failed to get the prized award the first time in 1967, she nevertheless, repeated the feat the following year in yet another Maruja movie, this time in Lino Brocka’s Gumising Ka…Maruja (1978), a back-to-back Famas Best Actress Award for the Queen of Philippines Movies.
Another trivia: Did you know that Susan could have won her first acting award much earlier? In 1971, Susan was offered the role of Lilet, but she turned it down. The movie, Lilet, turned out to be an award-winning masterpiece and romped away top honors in the 1971 Famas derby--- It won Best Picture, Best Actress (Celia Rodriguez), Best Director (Gerardo de Leon) and Best Music (Tito Arevalo).
To Love Again (1967)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Norma Blancaflor, Bella Flores, Boy Alano, Romeo Rivera/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Langit at Lupa (1967)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Lou Salvador, Jr., Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Monolo Robles/ with Katy de la Cruz, Dencio Padilla, Mario Escudero and Jesus 'Og' Ramos/ Directed by D'lanor
So Happy Together (1967)- Susan Roces, Romano Castellvi, Chichay, Rico Roman, Renato Robles, Helen Thompson, Alicia Alonzo/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos
Sitsiritsit Alibangbang (1967)- Stars Susan Roces, Dolphy, Panchito, Ronaldo Valdez, Rod Navarro/ Directed by Ading Fernando
Ang Pangarap Ko'y Ikaw (1967)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Norma Blancaflor, Romeo Rivera, Verna Gaston/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Bakasin Mo sa Gunita (1968)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Anita Linda, Nello Nayo, Eddie Garcia, Yolanda Guevarra, Arnold Gamboa/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Bandana (1968)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Lourdes Medel, Dante Rivero, Caridad Sanchez, Mary Walter, Nello nayo/ with Gina Alajar and Roderick/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Mapagkailan Man (1968)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Paquito Diaz, Rebecca, Joe Sison, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Nello Nayo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla/ Directed by Armando Garces
Sorrento (1968)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Paquito Diaz, Joe Sison, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Nello Nayo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla/ Directed by Armando Garces
Tanging Ikaw (1968)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Lou Salvador Jr., Panchito, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Dencio Padilla, Lucita Soriano/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Kaming taga-Ilog (1968)- Stars Susan Roces, Dolphy, Panchito, Ronaldo Valdez, Alicia ALonzo, Rod Navarro, Chichay, Dely Atay-atayan, Bayani Casimiro/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos
To Susan With Love (1968)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Joseph Estrada, Eddie Mesa, Ramil Rodriguez and Susan Roces/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos
Kulay Rosas ang Pag-ibig (1968)- Stars Susan Roces,
Ramil Rodriguez, Arnold Gamboa, Nello Nayo, Jose Garcia
and Norma Blancaflor/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Perlas ng Silangan (1969)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Vic Vargas, Jose Padilla Jr., Carlos Padilla Jr.,Ruben Rustia, Jose Vergara/ Directed by Pablo Santiago
Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin (1970)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Paquito Diaz, Jose Romulo, Lou Salvador Jr., Lito Anzures, Victo Bravo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla/ Dierected by Armando de Guzman
Divina Gracia (1970)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Nello nayo, Norma Blancaflor, Mary Walter, Vic Varrion, Lourdes Yumol and Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Armando de Guzman
Adios Mi Amor (1971)- Stars Suasan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Jose Romulo, Ruel Vernal, Nello Nayo, Jose Vergara, Bert Olivar, Dely Vilanueva and Leopoldo Salcedo/ Introducing Phillip Salvador and Khristina Reyes/ Directed by Pablo Santiago
Bilangguang Puso (1971)- Stars Susan Roces and Dante Rivero, Romy Diaz, Lourdes Medel, Chichay, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Nello Nayo, Joe Garcia
Directed by Manuel Cinco
Salaginto't Salagubang (1972)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Paquito Diaz, Chichay, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Lito Anzures, Nello Nayo and Bella Flores/ Directed by Pablo Santiago
Florinda (1973)- Stars Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Ranil Rodriguez, Rosemarie Gil, Jose Padilla Jr., Lito Anzures/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera
Karnabal (1973)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Chichay, Dencio Padilla, Lito Anzures and Frankie Navaja Jr./ Directed by Manuel Cinco
Hanggang sa Kabila ng Daigdig (1973)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Rodriguez, Rosa Mia, Rebecca, Carlos Padilla Jr., Nello nayo, Dencio padilla, Renato Robles and Levi Celerio/ Directed by Manuel Cinco
Dalawa ang Nagdalantao sa Akin (1974)- Stars Susan Roces, Boots Anson-Roa, Ramil Rodriguez, Ronaldo Valdez, Angie Ferro, Tony Carrion and Dranreb/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus
Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara (1974)- Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Rosanna Ortiz, Beth Manlongat, Edna Diaz, Ellen Esguerra, Angie Ferro, Venchito Galvez, Rosa Santos and Mary Walter/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo
Sapagka't Kami'y Mga Misis Lamang (1976)- Stars Susan Roces, Nora Aunor, Celia Rodriguez, Chichay, Robert Jaworski, Max Laurel, Phillip Salvador, Martin Marfil/ Directed by F.H. Constantino
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Langit, Lupa at Impiyerno (1976)- Stars Susan Roces, Rosanna Ortiz, Loretta Marquez and Ronaldo Valdez/ with Bella Flores, Johnny Monteiro, Alicia Alonzo/ Directed by Teddy Yip and Noli Villar
Maligno (1977)- Stars Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Celia Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo
Gumsing Ka... Maruja (1978)- Stars Susan Roces, Phillip Salvador, Mario O'Hara, Laurice Guilen/Directed by Lino Brocka
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