Susan Roces

Jesusa Purificación Levy Sonora-Poe (July 28, 1941 – May 20, 2022), known professionally as Susan Roces , was a Filipino actress. She rose to fame in mid-1950s and became the biggest box-office star of the 1960s. Known for playing wholesome and sweet characters in romantic comedies and musicals during her youth, she dabbled into horror and drama in the succeeding decades. She was dubbed the "Queen of Philippine Movies" and appeared in more than 130 films throughout her career that spanned over six decades.

Early life and education Jesusa Purificación Levy Sonora was born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on July 28, 1941. She was the daughter of Jesús Tonggoy Sonora and Purificación Levy. Her sister, Rosa María “Rosemarie” Sonora, is also an actress, as is the latter’s daughter Sheryl Cruz. Roces and her sister have Jewish ancestry through their mother’s grandfather, Adolphe Blum Levy, who had emigrated from Marckolsheim in the Alsace region of France to Iloilo.

Roces finished her high school studies at La Consolación 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 for public speaking and acting, and advised her to take the same course as hers in tertiary education. After graduating high school, Roces went to Manila to follow her mentor's advice.

On September 29, 2007, the ABS-CBN Corporation acquired exclusive rights to the movie library of Fernando Poe, Jr. after Roces signed the contract. Then-ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio López III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe's daughter Grace, were also 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 to the feature on their married life. A 38-minute music video also showed various scenes from several of Poe's movies, a project Poe himself had just finished before his death.

In addition to English and Tagalog, Roces also spoke Hiligaynon. 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. She has also garnered five FAMAS Awards; two of which are Best Actress awards. 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

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 Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City near where her parents lived, after some chest pains and difficulty in breathing. Her daughter Grace Poe had also said "My mother is already old." The official cause of her death was listed as heart failure. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions to honor her legacy. ACT-CIS Partylist proposed to posthumously induct Roces into the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Roces was buried next to her late husband in the Manila North Cemetery.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Maalaala Mo Kaya Anita Mariano Episode: "Pahiram ng Isang Pasko" 1997 Wansapanataym Lucring Episode: "The Christmas Witch" 2006 John en Shirley Encarnacion Ramirez Supporting Cast 2008 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 Main Cast 2011 Babaeng Hampaslupa Helena See 100 Days to Heaven Amelita Manalastas-Salvador 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 Television film; episode: "Karugtong ng Puso" Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon Ruth Gaspar Supporting Cast 2015–2022 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Flora Borja-de Leon Main Cast (Finale TV appearance)

Film

Awards and nominations

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