Susan Roces

She was dubbed the "Queen of Philippine Movies" and appeared in more than 130 films throughout her career that spanned over six decades.

• Name — Susan Roces • Birth Name — Jesusa Purificación Levy Sonora • Born — 28 July 1941 • Died — 20 May 2022 • Place of death — San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines • Birthplace — Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Commonwealth of the Philippines • Resting Place — Manila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 1952, 1956–2022 • Children — Grace Poe (adopted daughter) • Relatives — Rosemarie Sonora (sister) Sheryl Cruz (niece)

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.

Roces married Fernando Poe, Jr. on December 25, 1968, at Santuario de San José Parish in Greenhills, Mandaluyong. They have an adopted daughter, former MTRCB Chairperson and now Senator Grace Poe. Roces 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 was convinced President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won through electoral fraud at her husband's expense, and demanded Arroyo resign in June 2005. 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.

• Illustration — Susan Roces with Eddie Gutierrez in 1966 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.

• 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 — Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection 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)

Susan Roces was recorded at birth as Jesusa Purificacion Sonora. Her recorded language was Tagalog. Her recorded confession was Catholicism. She married Fernando Poe Jr. 2 children are recorded: Grace Poe and Lovi Poe.

Susan Roces is recorded as comedian and actress.