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Look back at Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces’ memorable TV journey as a true Kapamilya

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Liezel dela Cruz

<p>With her immaculate beauty, Susan Roces was a refreshing addition to the constellation of stars during the golden age of Philippine cinema in the 1950s. Likewise, her illustrious name landed her a steady work on TV.</p><p>The Queen of Philippine Movies found her solid home in ABS-CBN wherein her immense talent and grace shined in several Kapamilya programs, playing assorted roles of a grandmother, whose wisdom and love act as an anchor in the journey of the main character.</p><p>Susan or Tita Sue to family and friends passed away in the evening of May 20. She will be missed. But her life both on- and off-cam is a legacy worth celebrating. With that, let us look back at her glorious stint as a true Kapamilya.</p><p>In 1996, Susan lent her dramatic prowess in a <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maalaalamokaya"><u><em><strong>Maalaala Mo Kaya</strong></em></u></a> episode titled “Pahiram Ng Isang Pasko” where she brought to life the story of Anita Mariano, a mad woman with a painful past looking for her daughter Marita played by Claudine Barretto.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMVowrxnz0A" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>Susan showcased her irrefutable versatility in the sitcom “<em>John En Shirley</em>” opposite another cinema legend, the late “Comedy King” Dolphy, with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano in 2006. The weekly comedy show is a spin-off of the iconic 1960s sitcom “John En Marsha” that aired for over 30 years in ABS-CBN.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dx3saD0U12c" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>Susan’s television career has been more active since 2008. She starred in “<em>Sineserye Presents: Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara</em>,” which was adapted from the 1974 movie of the same title where she was the titular role. In the teleserye version, Susan played mom to Kris Aquino and Jodi Sta. Maria.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KEyoj4xtbwU" title="YouTube video player" width="852"></iframe></div><p>In the same year, she reunited with the Optimum Star, Claudine, and was joined by the likes of Laurice Guillen, Joel Torre, and Cherry Pie Picache in the teleserye “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-iisa-pa-lamang-2008-14983"><u><em><strong>Iisa Pa Lamang</strong></em></u></a>.” She portrayed Aurora, the kind-hearted grandmother who suffered and later on fought back alongside her beloved granddaughter Catherine (Claudine) to take back what is rightfully theirs.</p><div><img alt="Iisa Pa Lamang" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/05/22/Susan-Roces-2.jpg"/></div><p>Still in 2008, she guest starred in MMK “<em>Basura</em>,” this time, playing a callous grandmother with a scrap collection in her small shelter.</p><p>The following year saw a ‘miraculous’ change in teleserye landscape with the success of inspirational drama “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa"><u><em><strong>May Bukas Pa</strong></em></u></a>.” Susan was among the big stars who made the show’s avid viewers cry buckets with her portrayal of Ms. Nieves Antazo, a revered elementary school teacher, who is being forced to retire but begged to continue teaching out of genuine care for her students. </p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hC6D9938FNU" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>The “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa"><u><em><strong>May Bukas Pa</strong></em></u></a>” guesting was followed by another stint in an inspirational drama, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/100daystoheaven"><u><em><strong>100 Days to Heaven</strong></em></u></a>” in 2011. Susan had a special participation on the show as Amelita Manalastas, the estranged mother of the main character Anna Manalastas (Coney Reyes/Xyriel Manabat).</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h0TjeGy4CqQ" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>One of the veteran actress’ grandest portrayals in a Kapamilya drama was in the classic Coco Martin and Julia Montes tale, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/walanghanggan/articles-photos/throwback-coco-and-julia-in-walang-hanggan-14383"><u><em><strong>Walang Hanggan</strong></em></u></a>.” She donned the role of Lola Henya, the adoptive grandmother of Coco’s character Daniel who holds the key to his real paternity.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9qa8Hljbg0s" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>On some rare TV moments in 2013, Susan played antagonist in the world-class drama series “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/03120917-throwback-muling-buksan-ang-puso-2013-14687"><u><em><strong>Muling Buksan Ang Puso</strong></em></u></a>” as the feisty Doña Adelina Beltran.</p><div><img alt="Muling Buksan Ang Puso" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/05/22/Susan-Roces-1.jpg"/></div><p>Also guest-starred together with Coco Martin in the fantasy series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/wansapanataym"><u><em><strong>Wansapanataym Presents</strong></em></u></a> “<em>Simbang Gabi</em>.”</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/64U7dI46kwk" title="YouTube video player" width="720"></iframe></div><p>She joined fellow icon Eddie Garcia in the teleserye “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-sana-bukas-pa-ang-kahapon-cast-pictorial-2014-14682"><u><em><strong>Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon</strong></em></u></a>” where they played rivals.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6DF7Cf9ZmEc" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>Susan and Eddie would reunite in 2015 via the still unbeatable  action-drama series “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano"><u><em><strong>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</strong></em></u></a>” where the latter played main villain while she’d be known to many as the deeply cherished Lola Flora, the devout grandmother of hero cop Cardo (Coco Martin). The series, which she became a part of for six years, is a re-telling of Susan’s husband, ‘Da King’ Fernando Poe Jr.’s iconic movie of the same title.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HHG4J3V7iso" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>In the story, Lola Flora was the wind beneath Cardo’s wings, the one who helped him survive death-defying battles through her prayers. Until the very end, Lola Flora sought to implore protection and guidance for her beloved ‘apo’ and begged the heavens to be reunited with Cardo and her loved ones.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FMIXq9Aakro" title="YouTube video player" width="853"></iframe></div><p>For many years, she has instilled the values of love, faith, and hope with her loving portrayal of Lola Flora in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano"><u><em><strong>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</strong></em></u></a>.&quot;</p>

Today, we remember the illustrious TV career of the one and only Queen of Philippine Movies, Susan Roces.