Veteran actress Susan Roces passes away at 80
Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces has passed away, her daughter Senator Grace Poe confirmed on Friday.
In a statement, Poe announced that her mother Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe "passed away peacefully" on Friday evening, May 20, surrounded "by love and warmth" together with her family and closest friends.
"She lived life fully and gracefully. Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness. She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie—FPJ," she wrote.
"We will miss her sorely but we celebrate life well lived," Poe added. "Susan Roces—daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure."
Poe, however, did not mention the cause of death.
Roces forayed into showbiz at the age of 8 in the 1952 movie Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan. Since then, she starred in around 70 films that earned her the moniker "Queen of Philippine Movies."
The list includes Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw, Pepe and Pilar, Gumising Ka Maruja, Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara, and Mano Po.
It was in the 1965 film Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw where she first appeared on screen alongside her late husband and "King of Philippine movies," Fernando Poe Jr. The couple was married from 1968 until the death of FPJ in 2004. They adopted Grace Poe as their only child.
Roces also took part in several TV shows since 1996, including John en Shirley, Iisa Pa Lamang, Babang Hampaslupa, and Sana Bukas pa Ang Kahapon. Her role as Coco Martin's on-screen grandmother, Lola Flora, in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano endeared her to the youth today.
Her passion for her craft endowed her with several awards, including six FAMAS Awards for Best Actress and Star Awards for Movies' Outstanding Star of the Century in 2019.