Family, friends recall memories of Susan Roces

Taguig, Philippines, May 23 ------ Emotions ran high and memories abounded as Filipinos remembered Jesusa Sonora Poe, known professionally as Susan Roces, who died due to cardio-respiratory arrest on May 20.

On the first day of the scheduled public viewing, a mass and program was held, mostly featuring Roces’ co-actors in the ABS-CBN drama series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” where she portrayed the role of “Lola Flora” Borja. It was her most recent and longest teleserye project before her death. Among those who gave tributes were Coco Martin, her co-actor and one of the series’ directors, who also played the roles of Cardo Dalisay and Ador de Leon during the series’ almost 7-year run.

Martin joined other actors in traveling to Taguig City from their lock-in taping in Ilocos to visit Roces’ wake, with the show having stopped production for now. “Siya ‘yung nagbibigay sa amin ng inspirasyon para ipagpatuloy namin ‘yung ‘Probinsyano’ dahil lagi niyang sinasabi na nakakapagbigay kami ng ligaya at inspirasyon sa bawat Pilipino,” Martin added. Martin and Roces also teamed up in the 2012 hit drama series “Walang Hanggan.”

Jaime Fabregas, another of Roces’ co-actors in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” recalled fond memories with her. He remembered asking why Roces continued to work despite her advanced age. “Itong trabahong ito, sabi niya, ang nagbigay sa akin ng maraming kabutihan. Itong trabahong ito, nakikala ko si Ronnie (FPJ). Hindi ito trabaho na pwede mo lang tapusin ng ganun-ganon,” Fabregas said. Fabregas went on to tell the people gathered at the wake how Roces never forgot to bring food or pasalubong to everyone in the “Probinsyano” set -- from the actors to utility men. Fabregas had worked with both Roces and her late husband, Fernando Poe, Jr. He starred as Police General and later National Security Advisor Delfin Borja in the series. He was the musical scorer of the original 1997 film “Ang Probinsyano” where the TV series was based. Also among those who gave tributes were Sharon Cuneta, a recent addition to the series and one of the Poe family’s long-time friends, and John Arcilla, also part of the cast, who sang a rendition of “Tanging Yaman” for Roces.

For Roces’ adopted daughter, Senator Grace Poe, her mom served as a constant source of love, compassion and strength -- especially after her father, a National Artist for Film, passed away nearly two decades ago. “Kaya, Ma, parang nawalan ako ng saklay. Pero sabi mo naman palagi di ba, Grasya, kaya mo ‘yan. Kayanin mo ‘yan. ‘Wag mo akong papahiyain. So, kakayanin naman namin,” Poe told reporters during the first day of the wake. Poe recounted that one of her last conversations with her mother was about the passing of the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act -- a law Poe co-authored. “Mga bandang tanghali, nabalitaan namin 'yung batas ukol sa pagkilala sa mga nadampot na bata o foundlings ay naisabatas na, napirmahan na. So excited ako nu'n, tinawagan ko siya. Tapos sabi pa niya sa akin, 'Congratulations!' Kasi imagine, ipinaglaban niya 'yan para sa akin matagal na, na magkaroon ng patas na karapatan ang mga batang naabandona,” Poe said. Poe eventually thanked Filipinos for their untiring love and support for their family’s matriarch. “Ang aming pamilya ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa napakaraming nakiramay at nakidalamhati sa amin,” Poe said.

Earlier, ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Jocelyn Tulfo said she will file a House resolution to recognize Roces as a National Artist. Poe leaves the decision to whoever is in charge, saying, “Ang National Artist, dapat siya po ay magaling sa kanyang sining. Pero higit sa lahat, siya ay dapat maging isang mabuting huwaran. So nasa kamay at desisyon ng mga nasa pusisyon kung ito ba ay maibibigay o hindi.”

Source: cnnphilippines.com