Bembol Roco

Rafael Aranda Roco Jr. (born November 20, 1953), professionally known as Bembol Roco, is a Filipino actor whose work ranges from films to television. He is best known for his role as Julio Madiaga in the 1975 film Manila in the Claws of Light, which has since gained prominence as one of the greatest Philippine films of all time. He also had an important role in the 1982 Australian-U.S. film The Year of Living Dangerously. He also portrayed villain roles in Filipino action movies due to his signature bald head as well as various supporting roles.

He has twin sons who are also actors named Felix and Dominic.

He is well known for his collaborations with director Lino Brocka, where he is a part of a group of actors called "Brocka babies", and directors such as Ishmael Bernal, Chito S. Roño, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Joel Lamangan in the late twentieth century.

Career Prior to beginning his acting career, Roco underwent an 18-month rehabilitation program at the Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Education (DARE) Foundation in Bicutan. After completing the program, he began working for the organization. In 1974, director Lino Brocka visited the DARE facility to secure a filming permit for his upcoming project. It was during this visit that Brocka met Roco and subsequently cast him in a segment of the anthology film Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa (1974), in which Roco portrayed a recovering drug addict—paralleling his own experience at the time.

Roco later gained widespread recognition when Brocka cast him in the lead role of Julio Madiaga in Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975). The role was originally given to actor Jay Ilagan, and four days of filming had already been completed. However, Brocka felt Ilagan did not physically embody the impoverished and desperate character he envisioned. Roco, then an unknown actor with a lean and weathered appearance, was recast in the role. His performance was critically acclaimed and became one of the defining portrayals in Philippine cinema.

Personal life Roco is married to former fashion model Coco Artadi, whom he met in a fashion show. Together, they have 5 children, Rafael III, Katrina Isabel, Luis Gabriel, Teodoro Felix, and Ricardo Dominic. They have since separated since 2006.

Filmography Film Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa (1974) - Rocky Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) - Julio Madiaga Sakada (1976) - youth activist David Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) - USAFEE fighter Crispin Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo (1976) Itim (1976) Hubad Na Bayani (1977) Tisoy! (1977) - Julio Madiaga Babae, Huwag Kang Tukso (1977) Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa (1977) Banta ng Kahapon (1977) Boy Pana (Terror ng Maynila '63) (1978) - Boy Pana Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978) Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? (1978) - Eric Hayop sa Hayop (1978) Kid Kaliwete (1978) - Kid Kaliwete Boy Kodyak (1979) - Detective Teo Rosa Isa... Dalawa... Tatlo... Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo (1979) Midnight Show (1979) Ang Leon, ang Tigre, at ang Alamid (1979) Kanto Boy (1980) - Kanto Boy Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon (1980) - Abel Pinay, American Style (1980) - Nonoy Beach House (1980) Pangkat Do or Die (1980) Alyas Boy Kalbo (1980) Taga sa Panahon (1980) Intrusion: Cambodia (1981) Bulldog (1981) Pabling (1981) Police Informant: Totoy Guwapo (1981) – Aurelio/Totoy Guwapo Asal Hayop (1981) Five and the Skin (1982) - Bembol Tres Kantos (1982) The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) - Kumar Over My Dead Body (1983) Minsan, May Isang Ina (1983) Public Enemy No.1 and the Innocents (1983)-Hugong Bagsik Merika (1984) - Mon Bagets (1984) - Buko vendor Halang ang Kaluluwa (1985) Pagsabog ng Galit (1986) Gabi Na, Kumander (1986) Teritoryo Ko Ito (1986) Alamat ng Ninja Kuno (1986) Top Mission (1987) Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak (1987) Fight for Us (1989) - Kumander Kontra Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (1989) - Rod Anak ni Baby Ama (1990) - Junior Bahala (Released Date: September 26, 1990) Urbanito Dizon (1990) - Pol Biokids (1990) Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) - Falcon Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay: Kapitan Paile (1990) - Sgt. Dalisay (Released Date: November 20, 1990) Lover's Delight (1990) Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2 (1991) - Buwang Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama (1991) Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati (1992) Kanto Boy: Alyas Kanto Boy (1992) - Morris/Shiny Patayin si Billy Zapanta – Order of Battle: Enemy No. 1 (1992) - Patrolman Martin Parolado: Partners in Crime (1993) – Enrico Silvano Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga (1993) Talahib at Rosas (1994) – Kumander Baliling Wating (1994) – Bert Nagkataon... Nagkatagpo (1994) – Guzman Lucas Abelardo (1994) – Mayor Pulis Patola 2 (1995) Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita (1995) – Benjie The Grepor Butch Belgica Story (1995) – Enemy in jail Asero (1995) – Spade Matimbang Pa sa Dugo (1995) - Sabater Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2 (1995) - Martin Humanda Ka, Babalikan Kita (1996) Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko (1996) – Lt. Miranda Detective: Michael & Jackson (1996) – Steven Founders Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba (1997) – Rufo Ipaglaban Mo II: The Movie (1997) – Sgt. Macatulos Kadre (1997) Iskalawag (1997) Anak ng Bulkan (1997) – Pulon Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede! (1999) – Mendez Esperanza: The Movie (1999) – Luis Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) – Roque Palaban (2000) – Barikan Biyaheng Langit (2000) – Bossing Markova: Comfort Gay (2000) – Puging Homecoming (2003) – Mr. Edades U Belt (2004) – Major Ang Anak ni Brocka (2005) Boso (2005) - Tata Nando The Great Raid (2005) - Henchman #2 Tuli (2005) Donsol (2006) – Fidel First Day High (2006) – Investigator Matriponio Faces of Love (2007) Ang M.O.N.A.Y. ni Mr. Shooli (Misteyks Opda Neysion Adres Yata) (2007) Pi7ong Tagpo (2007) - Fred Rodriguez Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2007) – Boy Maynila sa mga Pangil ng Dilim (2008) U.P.C.A.T. (2008) – Mang Avelino Kinuluyang Kiti (2009) – Udong Oh, My Girl! (2009) – Director Miss You Like Crazy (2010) – Efren Samonte Pendong (2010) – Mariano Verona Amigo (2011) – Policarpio Dagim (2010) Forever and a Day (2011) Isda (2011) Aswang (2011) – Moises, king of the Abuwaks Thy Womb (2012) – Bang-Asan Tinik (2013) Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill (2013) – Frederico delos Reyes K'na, the Dreamweaver (2014) Tres ("Faith, Love, Time & Dr. Lazaro" segment, 2014) – Dr. Lazaro Gangster Lolo (2014) Piring (2015) Felix Manalo (2015) – Quintín Rivera Angela Markado (2015) – Benito Pedicab (2016) – Mang Pepe What Home Feels Like (2017) Baconaua (2017) AWOL (2017) – Amang Dark Is the Night (2017) – Boss Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017) Huwag Kang Lalabas ("Bahay" segment; 2021) – Mandurugo Nagalit ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak (2023) Kontrabida (2025) The Time That Remains (2025) Poon (upcoming) Kuya: The Governor Edwin Jubahib Story (upcoming)

Television Year Title Role Ref 1995 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Abo Igme 1997–1999 Esperanza Luis Miguel 1999–2000 Labs Ko Si Babe Silvestre "Rocky" Escallon 2001–2003 Recuerdo de Amor Ward 2002–2003 Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw Oscar 2006 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Palaisdaan Gusting Sa Piling Mo Al Fernandez Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Kadyo Maalaala Mo Kaya: Korte Ernie 2006–2007 Maging Sino Ka Man Tomas Arroyo 2007 Asian Treasures Marcus Vergara Maalaala Mo Kaya: Rosaryo Alberto Bautista Pangarap na Bituin Alex Rodriguez 2007–2008 Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik Tomas Arroyo 2008 Iisa Pa Lamang Martin Dela Rhea Komiks Presents: Kapitan Boom Hector Dasmaquinoz Maalaala Mo Kaya: Singsing Jun 2009–2010 Sine Novela: Tinik Sa Dibdib Tiburcio "Tibo" Yadao 2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Medal Of Valor Domeng Rubi 2010–2011 Beauty Queen Angelo "Anya" Castillo

Awards Year Category Work Award giving body 1976 Best Actor Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag FAMAS award - Best Actor Sa Piling Ng Mga Sugapa Urian award - Best Actor Esperanza ToFarm Awards 2017 Best Actor Pauwi Na Luna Awards 2017 Best Actor What Home Feels Like ToFarm Awards