Former president and actor Joseph “Erap” Estrada penned a short bittersweet message following the demise of his “Kumareng Susan”, the wife of his best friend and well-loved “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando “FPJ” Poe, Jr.
On Facebook, he expressed how heartbreaking it is that the “Queen of Philippine Movies” Susan Roces is no longer with her family and friends, and will not be present anymore for the people who love seeing her on the screen. On the other hand, it is somehow comforting at the same time that she is finally reunited with her beloved husband FPJ, who passed away in 2004.
“Ako po ay nalulungkot sa pagpanaw ng aking kumare, Susan Roces. Bagamat alam ko masaya ka na sa piling ni Ronnie, ang iyong pamilya at mga kaibigan ay nagdadalamhati sa iyong paglisan. Ako rin ay nakikiramay sa pamilyang naiwan lalo na sa aking inaanak, Sen. Grace Poe.”
In one of her posts, the former president is seen comforting his goddaughter during Roces’ wake.
Farewell, Queen
At the age of 80, Roces passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022, according to Senator Poe on her social media post.
“With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces. She passed away peacefully on a Friday evening, May 20, 2022, surrounded by love and warmth, with her daughter Grace, her nephews Joseph and Jeffrey and many of her family and close friends. She lived life fully and gracefully. Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness,” the senator expressed.
“She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie — FPJ. We will miss her sorely but we celebrate a life well lived. Susan Roces—daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure,” she continued.
[RELATED: Daughter Grace Poe confirms the passing of Susan Roces, the ‘Queen of Philippine Movies’]
Roces was born Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora at the Harrison Hospital in Pasay City on July 28, 1941.
She was everyone’s Lola Flora for more than six years in the hit series, FPJ’s ng Probinsiyano; playing the role of grandmother to Coco Martin’s character, Ricardo Dalisay. Before that, she was the loving wife of the late Da King FPJ and doting mother and grandmother to Senator Poe and her children respectively.
She was in the showbiz industry for nearly seven decades and dearly revered by everyone.
The award-winning actress’ acting career started in 1952 with “Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan” where she starred with Ike Lozada as an 11-year-old orphan girl. Having many hit movies after that earned her the title the “Queen of Philippine Movies”.