Celebrities, politicians express grief over Susan Roces' demise
The Philipine showbiz industry is mouring for an icon.
On the night of May 20, Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces died peacefully at the age of 80. Her daughter, Senator Grace Poe, broke the news on social media on the same night, saying that her mother rested in peace surrrounded by the "warmth and lover" of her family and friends.
"We will miss her sorely but we celebrate life well lived," Poe wrote. "Susan Roces—daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure."
Roces was born on July 29, 1941, and entered showbiz when she was 10 through the film Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan. Throughout her career, the veteran actress starred in around 70 films and won several acting awards, including Star Movies Awards' Outstanding Star of the Century.
She was married to the King of Philippine Movies and national artist Fernando Poe Jr., until his death in 2004. They adopted Grace Poe as their only child.
Shortly after the senator announced the news of her mother's demise, celebrities and politicians alike began sending their condolences and tributes to the endeared showbiz icon.
Judy Ann Santos exhibited great grief for the death of her Tita Susan, with an Instagram post that illustrated their sincere and warm friendship.
"Your generosity, your genuine love and words of wisdom.. yung pag spoil mo sakin sa taping ng probinsyano, yung masarap at mahigpit mong yakap tuwing nagkikita tayo.. yung malutong na tawa mo at tapang ng loob sa maraming bagay.. at higit sa lahat.. yung tunay na pagmamahal at pakikipag kapwa tao ang mga bagay na hinding hindi ko makakalimutan... sisiguraduhin kong ipasa sa iba pang mga kabataang asa industriya natin.. rest in peace tita susan.." the actress wrote.
Bea Alonzo shared how the veteran actress taught her how to handle stressful situations in life during the short time they worked together. "Naaalala ko pa nung sinabi mong kapag masama ang loob ko, isulat ko lang sa papel lahat ng galit ko, at sa isa pang papel, isulat ko naman ang mga bagay na ipinagpapasalamat ko, at bago pa man akong matapos magsulat, mawawala na ang galit ko," Alonzo wrote.
"Hanggang ngayon ginagawa ko pa rin po ito," she continued. "Thank you so much for your wisdom, humility and generosity. You are loved, our queen. Rest in peace."
Coco Martin, who has been working alongside Roces as her on-screen grandchild in the long-running show FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, took to Instagram to express his love and gratitude to his Lola Flora.
His caption reads, "Mahal na mahal kita Lola. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng biyaya, pag gabay at pag aruga. Nabuo ako, dahil sa pagmamahal mo. Hindi kita makakalimutan. Nasa puso at nasa isip kita habangbuhay. Mahal po kita!"
John Arcilla, who likewise starred alongside Roces in Ang Probinsyano, looked back on his song performance for the actress during ASAP's tribute to FPJ in 2018. "Goodnight to the Queen of the Philippine Movies. We will miss you, Tita Sue," Arcilla wrote in the caption.
Their fellow Ang Probinsyano actor John Prats shared how much life will be different for their team without the presence of their Lola Flora.
"Mamimiss ka po naming lahat. Lalo na po ang pag aalaga at pag papakain nyo sa amin sa set. Mamimiss ko yung mga kwento nyo sa main," Prats wrote in caption of his Instagram post. "Mahal na mahal ka po naming lahat Lola Flora. Maraming salamat po sa mga naituro nyo sa amin. Napakaswerte ko at nakatrabaho at nakasama ko kayo. Rest in Peace po."
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN star Bela Padilla uploaded a slow-motion video of her and Roces enjoying a meal together. Her caption read, "I will keep you close to my heart and remember you fondly forever, Tita Sue."
Veteran actress Lorna Tolentino posted a series of throwback photo that give a glimpse of how Roces took part in her childhood. "I will hold you in my heart. We will miss you," Tolentino said. "Maraming salamat sa pagmamahal Tita Susan. Our love and prayers."
Meanwhile, the Diamond Star Vilma Santos-Recto took to Instagram to thank her Ate Susan and tell her that she will be missed.
Alex Gonzaga expressed her sorrow for the showbiz industry's loss of a kind soul in Roces.
Nakakalungkot naman. Isang napakabuting tao ang nagpaalam.
— Alex Gonzaga-Morada (@Mscathygonzaga) May 20, 2022
Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang kabaitan mo sa amin mga nakatrabaho mo. RIP Susan Roces ππΌπ₯Ί
Pinoy Big Brother host Bianca Gonzales and broadcaster Karen Davila sent their condolences to the bereaved family through their Twitter accounts.
Sincerest condolences to the Poe family ππ½ππ½ππ½ Rest in peace, Ms. Susan Roces β¨ https://t.co/qAin0TNEuP
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) May 20, 2022
My deepest condolences @SenGracePOE ππ» Susan Roces is a national icon, a treasure in cinema π΅π May her memory live on. https://t.co/HcIOSwt0dQ
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) May 21, 2022
Senators Sonny Angara and Win Gatchalian, as well as senator-elect Francis "Chiz" Escudero, also sent their condolences and prayers to senator Poe and her family via Twitter.
Our condolences and prayers go out to Sen Grace and husband Neil and their family on the passing of her mother, a beloved Showbiz icon ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ #RIP https://t.co/Hl2KLqRgRk
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) May 20, 2022
My most sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Susan Roces. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ZsTpRnESir
— Win Gatchalian (@WinGatchalian74) May 20, 2022
Senator-elect is also one with the senators and showbiz industry in mourning the passing of his godmother Susan Roces.
Rest In Peace Ninang Susan Roces. ππ’
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) May 20, 2022
Roces' funeral is being held at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 22-24. Safety protocols, such as wearing of face mask and social distancing, will be observed at the venue.