# Susan Roces

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe (July 28, 1941 – May 20, 2022), known professionally as Susan Roces (Tagalog pronunciation:), 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

Susan Roces married Fernando Poe, Jr. on December 25, 1968, at the Santuario de San José in Greenhills, San Juan del Monte. They have an adopted daughter, former MTRCB Chairperson and now Senator Grace Poe. She is the 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.
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 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. 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 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.

## Death and memorial

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." The cause of her death was listed as 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 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 | ABS-CBN | Episode: "The Christmas Witch" |
| 2006 | John en Shirley | Encarnation Ramirez | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2008 | Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara | Amanda | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Angge | ABS-CBN | Episode: "Basura" |
| 2008 | Iisa Pa Lamang | Aura Castillejos | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2009 | May Bukas Pa | Nieves Antazo | ABS-CBN | Guest Cast |
| 2009–2010 | Sana Ngayong Pasko | Remedios Dionisio | GMA Network | Main Cast |
| 2011 | Babaeng Hampaslupa | Helena See | TV5 | Main Cast |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Amelita Manalastas-Salvador | ABS-CBN | Guest Cast |
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan | Virginia "Henya" Cruz | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2013 | Muling Buksan ang Puso | Adelina Laurel-Beltran | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym | Fenny | ABS-CBN | Episode: "Simbang Gabi" |
| 2014 | Eat Bulaga! Lenten Drama Special | Maria | GMA Network | Television film; episode: "Karugtong ng Puso" |
| 2014 | Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon | Ruth Gaspar | ABS-CBN | Supporting Cast |
| 2015–2022 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Flora Borja-de Leon | ABS-CBN | 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 |
| 1956 | Kulang sa 7 | Less than 7 | Vera Perez Pictures |
| 1956 | Mga Anak ng Diyos | Children of God | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1957 | Sino ang Maysala? | Who Is Guilty? | Vera Perez Pictures |
| 1957 | Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak | The Wild Flowers | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1958 | Prinsesang Gusgusin | Unkempt Princess | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1958 | Ako ang Maysala | I Am the Guilty One | Vera Perez Pictures |
| 1958 | Mga Reyna ng Vicks | The Queens of Vicks | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1958 | Madaling Araw | Dawn | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1958 | Tawag ng Tanghalan | Call of the Stage | Vera Perez Pictures |
| 1958 | Ulilang Anghel | Orphaned Angel | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Ipinagbili Ko ang Aking Anak | I Sold My Son | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Handsome | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Pitong Pagsisisi | Seven Repentance | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Debutante | Debutant | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Mga Anghel sa Lansangan | Angels on the Streets | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Susan Roces at the Pacific Festival | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1959 | Wedding Bells | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1960 | Beatnik | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1964 | The Dolly Sisters | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1965 | Portrait of My Love | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1965 | Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw | You Are My World | FPJ Productions |
| 1965 | Pilipinas Kong Mahal | My Beloved Philippines | FPJ Productions |
| 1966 | Zamboanga | | FPJ Productions |
| 1966 | Pepe en Pilar | Pepe and Pilar | RVQ Productions |
| 1967 | Maruja | | Lea Productions |
| 1967 | Langit at Lupa | Heaven and Earth | FPJ Productions |
| 1968 | To Susan with Love | | Rosas Productions |
| 1968 | Anong Ganda Mo? | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1968 | Bakasin Mo sa Gunita | Trace It Back to Memory | Lea Productions |
| 1968 | Bandana | Bandanna | Rosas Productions |
| 1968 | Sorrento | | FPJ Productions |
| 1968 | Magpakailan Man | Forevermore | FPJ Productions |
| 1968 | Tanging Ikaw | cOnly You | FPJ Productions |
| 1968 | Kulay Rosas ang Pag-ibig | Love is Rose Tinted | Rosas Productions |
| 1969 | Perlas ng Silangan | Pearl of the East | FPJ Productions |
| 1969 | Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin | You are My Everything | FPJ Productions |
| 1970 | Divina Gracia | Divine Grace | FPJ Productions |
| 1972 | Salaginto't Salagubang | Goldbug and Junebug | FPJ Productions |
| 1973 | Karnabal | Carnival | FPJ Productions |
| 1973 | Florinda | | Rosas Productions |
| 1974 | Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara | Scare Barbara To Death | Rosas Productions |
| 1977 | Maligno | Evil | Rosas Productions |
| 1978 | Gumising Ka, Maruja | Wake Up, Maruja | FPJ Productions |
| 1979 | Mahal... Saan Ka Nanggaling Kagabi? | Love... Where Were You Last Night? | FPJ Productions |
| 1979 | Mahal... Ginagabi Ka Nanaman | Love... You Came Home Late Again | FPJ Productions |
| 1979 | 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 |
| 1986 | Inday Inday sa Balitaw | Inday, Inday on the Balitaw | Regal Films |
| 1986 | Payaso | Clown | Sialina Film Enterprises |
| 1987 | Bunsong Kerubin | Youngest Cherub | Regal Films |
| 1987 | No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander | No Retreat... No Surrender... For the Commander | FPJ Productions |
| 1987 | 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 | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Kambal Tuko | Twin Geckos | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Buy One, Take One | | VIVA Films |
| 1989 | Ang Lahat ng Ito Pati Na ang Langit | All of These and Even Heaven | VIVA Films |
| 1989 | Here Comes the Bride | | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Mundo Man ay Magunaw | Even If the World Ends | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | 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

| Award-giving body | Year | Category | Nominated Work(s) | Result |
| FAMAS Awards | 1959 | Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award | — | Won |
| FAMAS Awards | 1966 | Best Actress | Ana-Roberta | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1968 | Best Actress | Maruja | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1969 | Best Actress | To Susan with love | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1971 | Best Actress | Divina Gracia | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1973 | Best Actress | Bilangguang puso | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1974 | Best Actress | Hanggang sa Kabila ng daigdig: The Tony Maiquez Story | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1975 | Best Actress | Patayin mo sa Sindak si Barbara | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1978 | Best Actress | Maligno | Won |
| FAMAS Awards | 1979 | Best Actress | Gumising ka Maruja | Won |
| FAMAS Awards | 1987 | Best Actress | Nasaan ka ng kailangan kita | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1988 | Best Actress | Paano Kung wala ka na | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1990 | Best Actress | Ang lahat ng Ito pati na ang langit | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 1998 | Best Actress | Isinakdal ko ang aking ina | Nominated |
| FAMAS Awards | 2003 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| FAMAS Awards | 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 | Best Drama Supporting Actress | 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 |