As one of PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year” awardees in 2014, multi-awarded “Queen of Philippine Movies” Susan Roces bared her heart and soul in this exclusive interview with the magazine’s late features editor GREGGY VERA CRUZ — who is probably awaiting another exclusive interview with his beloved subject in heaven.
You know royalty when you see one. The moment she alights from her white, chauffeured van and steps beyond the spanking glass doors of the pictorial venue, she epitomizes elegance, in her emerald green ensemble and her well-coiffed hair. Onlookers and hotel clients couldn’t help but steal glances at the lady who radiates beauty with her sunny disposition and captivating smile, even without lipstick.
She walks down the lobby with no coterie of alalays in tow; just one Girl Friday who has been with her all these years. Key personnel of Discovery Suites are alert and ready for her arrival; they extend to her their warmest regards and offer her a delightful bouquet of fresh flowers. After a brief souvenir photo with the accommodating staff at the Front Office, the Queen is securely whisked to the Admiral Suite at the 21st floor.
The rosebud blooms
Jesusa Purificacion Sonora, better known as Susan Roces, was born on July 28, 1941. Looking back, Susan was once a fresh high school graduate from La Consolacion College, Bacolod City. She was to pursue further collegiate studies in Manila; she considered taking up either BS Education (to enable her to teach Speech and Drama in her alma mater) or Foreign Service (she was very interested in traveling, people and history).
Fate, however, had its own peculiar way of changing her destiny and career path when she was plucked from obscurity by the famed starmaker, Dr. Jose Perez of Sampaguita Pictures. “I never ever imagined myself to be a movie star, much more an actress. Ours was the first batch to be taught Speech and Drama in school; most of the time I was cast as the male lead, maybe because of my height but not because of my actions,” she reminisces with a hearty laugh.
Doc Perez’s eagle eyes eventually zoomed on the young Susan, who was then a typical movie fan seeking the autograph of Gloria Romero. The scenario traces back to the good ol’ days when Sampaguita Pictures had an “open house” for its multitude of fans, just like the “meet and greet” sessions nowadays during premiere nights and other showbiz events.
At the tender age of 14, Susan got her first movie assignment via Boksingera Daw, a comedy which paired her opposite the tandem of Dolphy and Panchito. Showbiz chroniclers, meanwhile, may be interested to find out that Alicia Vergel was the original choice for the role. Alicia’s contract with Sampaguita, however, had expired. Rather than this Mars Ravelo project rotting in the doldrums, the movie’s producers deemed it wise to cast a greenhorn instead. Needless to say, Susan Roces was it
Her “official” foray into the big screen, however, was in Miss Tilapia, which starred no less than Susan’s idol, Gloria Romero. Gloria had Luis Gonzales as her leading man; Susan, meanwhile, was paired with someone who was closer to her age (Romeo Vasquez). Being the entertaining movie that it was, Miss Tilapia became a certified blockbuster hit!
“I had signed to a four-year build-up contract with Sampaguita Pictures. It stated that when you are named a star within your first year, it automatically becomes another four years. So I graduated with flying colors for eight years from the Sampaguita Academy; it was more like going to school,” she recalls with delight.
When it ‘reigns,’ it pours
Fast forward to December 2014 and couch potatoes are united in saying that Susan gave yet another compelling performance as Ruth Gaspar in the recently concluded, top-rating ABS-CBN teleserye Sana, Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon.
Her endorsements in TVs like Champion Detergent and RiteMed have also strengthened Susan’s image with housewives on the domestic front. Seniority, after all, still has a sizeable niche as far as the advertising market is concerned.
“I don’t count the years I’ve stayed in the entertainment industry. I choose to be active like my other colleagues (the likes of Anita Linda and Gloria Romero) who have been in the movies for quite some time. It is our common belief that we should entertain or do roles according to our age. We eventually grow old with our viewers. And then, perhaps, younger generations would get to know us, too. “I’ve stayed long in this industry because it is my choice. When my husband (Fernando Poe, Jr.) passed away, what was I going to do? I could not just mope and cry; the pain would never go away. So when I received television projects (from the big three networks), I just kept going,” she reveals.
Jewel of the palace
It is a given that her marriage to FPJ was one of the longest and most enduring unions in Philippine showbiz. The couple was looked up to, for having successfully combined a lasting relationship with flourishing movie careers.
“We got married at the right age (I was 27, Ronnie was 33); we have the same zodiac sign as well (Ronnie was born Aug. 20, 1939). As far as I was concerned, we were able to adjust easily. I belong to a generation where wives are submissive to their husbands. Since I had already achieved what I wanted in my career before I got married, I was willing to take one step behind him.
“FPJ ruled the family. He was the King, but the rules of the Queen in the house stay and must be followed,” she shares good-naturedly. Susan, likewise, hastens to add that, just like any ordinary couple their marriage also had its share of ups and downs, obstacles and hurdles.
“We are no exception; our union was not exactly very smooth. We had our rough times and we had to face different and difficult situations. Yet because of our maturity, we took it calmly. When one is super angry, one calms down. I would like to credit my husband for that. Between the two of us, he is the more patient one,” she reveals.
Rough times, indeed, because it is a fact that FPJ had relationships. “Kung ako umibig at humanga sa kanya, salamat naman at marami pala kami na umibig at humahanga sa kanya. Kaya lang, ako lang ang asawa niya. (I love and admire him; and apparently, there were many of us who did so. But, I remain his one and only wife.)”
“In fairness to Ronnie, I cannot apologize for him. It’s something that you don’t plan; it just happens. Thank God, I come from an old-fashioned generation. One thing I can very well say is, ‘Do not fault the children (born out of wedlock).’ I cannot say, ‘Fine. Congratulations for messing up my marriage. I almost ended up with a broken home.’
“It was my husband’s choice to stay with me. We were a responsible married couple. What’s done is done; it cannot be undone. Whatever was produced out of those affairs, you do not curse them because they are in pain as well. They did not want to be born in that situation. I don’t have any quarrels with anybody. All the more, you have to love them,” Susan affirms.
There is true sincerity in her heart as the Movie Queen relates to me her significant human experiences with nary a trace of bitterness. As I try to hold back the tears from my eyes, I inevitably ask Susan how her relationship is with Ronian (who is into music and tattoo art) and Lovi Poe (a versatile and talented actress).
“I cannot claim that I am close to them. When Ronnie died, I encouraged both of them to go (visit his casket). That was their last chance to see and be with him. During the wake, we were all together. After that, there was no reason for us to be together.
“I did not want to press myself on them. I did not want to be ‘plastic’ with their mothers. But I gave them what was due them from their father. I never denied them; I never questioned their paternity. I did not have to resort to some DNA test; I just took in what I knew was true. I am not the kind of wife who would question my husband’s whereabouts. Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies,” believes Susan.
Graces and blessings
A devout Catholic, Susan has the Black Nazarene as her patron saint. “The Face that Refreshes” (a moniker bestowed on her by Doc Perez, deriving the tag from a famous soft drink TVC) also wants to be remembered as a kind and loving person. She wants to share this “love” because “there are so many people wanting of love.”
The four-letter word, indeed, emanates from her heart and brims from within as she recounts the growing-up years of her only child, Sen. Grace Poe Llamanzares. The strong and serious side of Susan once again resurfaces as I become privy to their wonderful mother-and-daughter bonding moments.
“I encouraged my daughter to ask me what being ‘adopted’ means. As Grace was growing up, I gave it to her little by little in the language that she would best understand. It was very comfortable to her; it was not shocking for her to find out in her later years that she was adopted. “I never told her, I gave birth to you.’ Instead, I narrated to her that ‘I was praying hard for a little girl with curly hair and big eyes. Before I knew it, the angel brought you to our lives. As such, you are now our daughter,” Susan recalls with a glow in her eyes.
In between sips of freshly brewed coffee, Susan hastens to add that when Grace was already of proper age, she eventually showed her the legal papers.
“Her coming to our life was not planned at all; we did not even search for her. Dumating siya sa buhay namin (She came into our life),” she concludes with a smile that could warm the cockles of any heart.
As the Queen of Philippine Movies, she is regarded as an icon atop a pedestal, securely in the showbiz firmament. Yet as this article shows, and as this writer attests, she is every inch the vulnerable human being and gentle lady that she has portrayed in countless movie characters.
Love, indeed, knows no bounds because, even in royalty, there is warmth, care and humanity behind the regal title.
