Monday, July 7, 2008

SUSAN ROCES REWIND: Circa 1952-59


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

See Susan Roces circa 1967-78
See Susan Roces: Inday ng Buhay Ko
See More on Susan Roces: Dekada 60
See FPJ- SusanRoces Starrers
See Immortal song of Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw
See Flashback: Langit at Lupa (1967)

Susan Roces first appeared in the movie Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan under Jose Nepomuceno Productions in 1952 before being rediscovered in 1956.



Rodora (1956)- Stars Paraluman, Van de Leon, Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierez/ Guest- Susan Roces/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Chabacano (1956)- Stars Myrna Delgado, Luis Gonzales, Dolphy, Daisy Romualdez/Introducing Barbara Perez/ Guest- Susan Roces/ Directed by Octavio Silos

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

Susan Roces Filmography (1952-59)
1952 - Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan - Nepomuceno Pictures
1956 – Chabacano - Sampaguita Pictures (Guest)
1956 – Rodora - Sampaguita Pictures (Guest)
1956 – Movie Fan - Sampaguita Pictures (Guest)
1956 - Miss Tilapya - Sampaguita Pictures
1956 - Boksingera - Sampaguita Pictures
1956 - Kulang sa 7 - Sampaguita Pictures
1957 - Sino ang Maysala - Vera Perez Pictures
1957 - Pasang Krus - Sampaguita Pictures
1957 - Mga Anak ng Diyos - Vera Perez Pictures
1957 – Torkwata - Sampaguita Pictures
1957 – Pretty Boy – VP Pictures (Guest)
1957 - Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak - Sampaguita Pictures
1957 - Prinsesang Gusgusin - Sampaguita Pictures
1958 – Paruparong Bukid - Sampaguita Pictures
1958 - Mga Reyna ng Vicks - Sampaguita Pictures
1958 - Madaling Araw - Sampaguita Pictures
1958 - Tawag ng Tanghalan - Vera Perez Pictures
1958 - Ulilang Anghel - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 - Wedding Bells - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 – Esmeralda - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 - Mga Anghel sa Lansangan - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 – Handsome - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 – Kahapon Lamang - Sampaguita Pictures
1959 – Ipinagbili ko ang aking Anak – Vera- Perez
1959 – Debutante - Sampaguita Pictures

Source: James De la Rosa/ Pelikula atbp

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12 comments:

  1. James DRJuly 7, 2008 at 12:01 AM

    Simon, thanks again for this, malapit na birthday niya!

    ReplyDelete
  2. James DRJuly 7, 2008 at 12:04 AM

    BTW, sino ang co-stars niya sa Mga Bituin Ng Kinabukasan na nasa movie ad?

    ReplyDelete
  3. TheCoolCanadianJuly 7, 2008 at 12:06 AM

    In the 70s, our FEU Mass Comm club had our first film forum at the FEU Auditorium. Being part of the club, we solicited sponsors for the event. One of the sponsors was FPJ Productions. This was how I had the opportunity to meet Miss Susan Roces and came face to face with her. First impression told me what a wonderful person she is. Very pleasant and soft-spoken matched by her delicately beautiful face, convinced me indeed that she really deserved to be called "The Queen of Philippine Movies". And I'm not saying this just because she actually bought the biggest ad in our souvenir Program. He-he.

    But, there were others who came after her, some were even considered phenomenal (but drank and smoked as if there were no tommorrow), and absolutely no match for Miss Roces. I've met a lot of female movie stars in RP movies, yet Susan Roces still stands as the most apropriate one to be called "The Queen".

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  4. James DRJuly 7, 2008 at 1:17 AM

    Very well-said, thecoolcanadian! Indeed, she deserved to be called "The Queen of Philippine Movies".

    ReplyDelete
  5. Video 48July 7, 2008 at 6:33 PM

    Agree ako diyan! Talagang 'Queen of Philippine Movies'!
    James, di ko rin alam ang ibang co-stars ni Susan sa Bituin. According to Imdb, one of the stars was Ike Lozada.

    ReplyDelete
  6. the only juzJuly 8, 2008 at 11:23 AM

    beautiful.. yan ang queen. :) glamorous padin even if it surpassed time.

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  7. jacinto san isidroJuly 10, 2008 at 8:20 AM

    Yeah, she's really the Queen. Should be emulated by all movie stars. She is not only beautiful but a good wife to FPJ, a good mother, a good actress, a good friend, credible, intelligent. She's not a fake, not a liar, not a cheater. She deserves every accolade. Mabuhay ka Manang Inday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. joyJuly 24, 2008 at 10:23 AM

    lapit na po bday ni ms. susan roces july 28..... sana magpalabas sila ulit for one week ng mga old movies ni ms. susan roces.

    ReplyDelete
  9. joyJuly 24, 2008 at 10:25 AM

    sana mag post po kayo ng mga video ng movies ni ms. susan roces.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    Yes si Ms. Susan Roces ang Queen of Sampaguita Pictures...si MS. AMALIA FUENTES ang real Queen of Philippine Movies and Box Office Champion of that era!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJune 7, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    And...Miss AMALIA FUENTES...WAS THE "HIGHEST PAID ACTRESS" DURING THE 60's WHEN SHE GOT FREELANCER..TO TOP IT ALL,,,Miss AMALIA FUENTES Was THE "QUEEN Of ALL QUEENS" Of THE WHOLE PHILIPPINE MOVIE INDUSTRY! ALSO..Miss AMALIA FUENTES Was "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS" and "THE MOST GLAMOROUS MOVIE STAR OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA OF ALL TIME"!!!...
    ...I LIKE AMALIA,BECAUSE SHE IS GENUINE, HONEST, OUTSPOKEN, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, FRANK, and INTELLIGENT...

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 7, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    Hail TO THE "REAL QUEEN OF PHILIPPINE MOVIES"...The One and Only---Miss AMALIA FUENTES!
    AMALIA's BEAUTY IS UNRIVALED, MATCHLESS, INCOMPARABLE, FLAWLESS, and THE FACE THAT LAUNCHED "A MILLION" SHIPS!
    AMALIA's REPLACEMENT IS "NOT" YET BORN...
    AMALIA IS SECOND TO NONE...
    AMALIA Was THE MOST BEAUITIFUL OF THEM ALL, AND IN THE WORLD!!!

    ReplyDelete