“This is who she was, behind the scenes.”
I still can vividly recall the nostalgic years of the 60s and 70s, when going to the movie theaters to watch Tagalog action movies by FPJ or Tony Ferrer, or laugh at the antics of comedy king Dolphy and his sidekick Panchito, or giggle at the slapstick brand of comedy of Chiquito was a big treat for a growing boy like me.
Those were the years when the cinema— Gala in Cagayan de Oro was my go-to movie house—was the favorite venue for family outing, when hordes of movie aficionados would create long queues to get tickets to watch their favorite local actors and actresses before the cashier at the “takilya” or ticket booth could post a notice that said “standing room only” or refuse admittance because there was simply no room inside the theater.
Definitely, I was an FPJ and Susan Roces fan, with Zamboanga in 1966 (I was seven years old then!) resonating with me the most. FPJ could do no wrong, Susan was the most beautiful woman in the world, Mindanao was paradies.
Those were the “Golden Years of Philippine cinema, and Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe (born July 28, 1941), better known by her screen name Susan Roces, reigned supreme. Her filmography lists more than 130 films to her credit, not to mention innumerable TV and radio guestings and product endorsements and commercials. She remained active in the industry she loved so much that even in her eighties, she joined the cast of “Ang Probinsyano”. Indeed, acting was her life, the air she breathed. But she was more than that.
Most of us know Susan Roces by her public persona. The other half of the legendary actor Fernando Poe, Susan was a legend in her own right. A superb actress, she did not dabble in raunchy roles or got involved in scandals or controversies during her time. Her films were a reflection of the days when life was simpler, when society valued decency, when so-called entertainment was unspoiled by vulgarity.
In her tribute to her mother, Senator Grace Poe gave us an idea of Susan’s behind-the-scenes character. By the good senator’s account, the other half of the legendary couple, Susan Roces, was witty, humorous, caring, generous, down-to-earth, morally upright, courageous, and at times feisty. According to the senator, her mother would come up with a fitting aphorism to express her feelings in a given situation. For instance, to express her displeasure over the supposed electoral fraud committed against her husband, Susan was heard to have remarked “hindi ko tinatangap ang iyong sorry”,” or “ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw.” These were acerbic, witty, and often humorous remarks laced with truth. Whenever the senator expressed her displeasure or frustration over a situation, Susan’s advice would be, “anak, mga responsableng tao lang ang nangugunsume.” Loosely translated: only the responsible people get affected, which is implying that her daughter is a responsible person, and not indifferent or apathetic, which is why she gets to be affected by things.
Susan Roces, according to her daughter, had very simple tastes, given her stature in the industry. She treasured small things given to her by people no matter how inexpensive. She put her family’s interests and especially that of her husband’s and daughter’s (and grandchildren) over her own. One can say that behind the success of the king was the queen who gave her all to support her husband and to remain true to course in all the ups and downs of their life together. It is no wonder, the couple endeared countless not only because of their portrayals in movies but more so how they inspired a nation by their values and character.
Knowing Senator Grace personally as well as grandson Brian, who is a fellow advocate of sustainability, and listening to the eulogies of son-in-law Niel and granddaughters Hanna and Nika, I also saw how their mother and grandmother inspired them to be good persons and citizens.
I watched all the eulogies delivered by friends and colleagues last week. Aside from the family and close colleagues like Eddie Gutierrez, I was struck most by my friend Joey Ochave’s tribute to the role Susan Roces played in promoting RiteMed. As a beneficiary of this Unilab initiative that reduces the price of pharmaceuticals considerably, I can appreciate the impact of Roces on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
For all the awards and recognition she received for her achievements in the cinema industry and the adulation showered upon her by colleagues and an adoring public, there was no greater reward she could get than that Susan Roces left an indelible legacy of a good and meaningful life that people will treasure forever in their minds and hearts. That she has now passed on to meet her Creator, it is time to reap the greatest reward of them all – eternal life. Surely, Susan Roces was not only the Queen of the industry, a national artist for sure (and should be recognized posthumously as such), but a friend, mother, guardian, benefactor to everybody.
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