Bembol Roco | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rafael Aranda Roco, Jr. November 20, 1953 Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines |
| Other names | Bembol Roco |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Children | 5 (including Felix Roco and Dominic Roco) |
Rafael Aranda Roco Jr. (born November 20, 1953), professionally known as Bembol Roco, is a Filipino actor whose work ranges from films to television. He is best known for his role as Julio Madiaga in the 1975 film Manila in the Claws of Light, which has since gained prominence as one of the greatest Philippine films of all time.[1] He also had an important role in the 1982 Australian-U.S. film The Year of Living Dangerously. He also portrayed villain roles in Filipino action movies due to his signature bald head[2] as well as various supporting roles.
He has twin sons[3] who are also actors named Felix[4] and Dominic.[5]
He is well known for his collaborations with director Lino Brocka, where he is a part of a group of actors called "Brocka babies",[6][7] and directors such as Ishmael Bernal, Chito S. Roño, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Joel Lamangan in the late twentieth century.
Career
Prior to beginning his acting career, Roco underwent an 18-month rehabilitation program at the Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Education (DARE) Foundation in Bicutan. After completing the program, he began working for the organization. In 1974, director Lino Brocka visited the DARE facility to secure a filming permit for his upcoming project. It was during this visit that Brocka met Roco and subsequently cast him in a segment of the anthology film Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa (1974), in which Roco portrayed a recovering drug addict—paralleling his own experience at the time.
Roco later gained widespread recognition when Brocka cast him in the lead role of Julio Madiaga in Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975). The role was originally given to actor Jay Ilagan, and four days of filming had already been completed. However, Brocka felt Ilagan did not physically embody the impoverished and desperate character he envisioned. Roco, then an unknown actor with a lean and weathered appearance, was recast in the role. His performance was critically acclaimed and became one of the defining portrayals in Philippine cinema.
Personal life
Roco is married to former fashion model Coco Artadi, whom he met in a fashion show. Together, they have 5 children, Rafael III, Katrina Isabel, Luis Gabriel, Teodoro Felix, and Ricardo Dominic. They have since separated since 2006.
Filmography
Film
- Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa (1974) - Rocky
- Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) - Julio Madiaga
- Sakada (1976) - youth activist David[8]
- Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) - USAFEE fighter Crispin[9]
- Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo (1976)[10]
- Itim (1976)
- Hubad Na Bayani (1977)
- Tisoy! (1977) - Julio Madiaga
- Babae, Huwag Kang Tukso (1977)
- Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa (1977)
- Banta ng Kahapon (1977)
- Boy Pana (Terror ng Maynila '63) (1978) - Boy Pana
- Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978)
- Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? (1978) - Eric
- Hayop sa Hayop (1978)
- Kid Kaliwete (1978) - Kid Kaliwete
- Boy Kodyak (1979) - Detective Teo Rosa[11]
- Isa... Dalawa... Tatlo... Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo (1979)
- Midnight Show (1979)
- Ang Leon, ang Tigre, at ang Alamid (1979)[12]
- Kanto Boy (1980) - Kanto Boy
- Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon (1980) - Abel
- Pinay, American Style (1980) - Nonoy
- Beach House (1980)
- Pangkat Do or Die (1980)
- Alyas Boy Kalbo (1980)
- Taga sa Panahon (1980)
- Intrusion: Cambodia (1981)
- Bulldog (1981)
- Pabling (1981)
- Police Informant: Totoy Guwapo (1981) – Aurelio/Totoy Guwapo
- Asal Hayop (1981)
- Five and the Skin (1982) - Bembol
- Tres Kantos (1982)
- The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) - Kumar
- Over My Dead Body (1983)
- Minsan, May Isang Ina (1983)
- Public Enemy No.1 and the Innocents (1983)-Hugong Bagsik
- 'Merika (1984) - Mon
- Bagets (1984) - Buko vendor
- Halang ang Kaluluwa (1985)
- Pagsabog ng Galit (1986)
- Gabi Na, Kumander (1986)
- Teritoryo Ko Ito (1986)
- Alamat ng Ninja Kuno (1986)
- Top Mission (1987)
- Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak (1987)
- Fight for Us (1989) - Kumander Kontra[13]
- Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (1989) - Rod
- Anak ni Baby Ama (1990) - Junior Bahala (Released Date: September 26, 1990)
- Urbanito Dizon (1990) - Pol
- Biokids (1990)
- Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) - Falcon
- Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay: Kapitan Paile (1990) - Sgt. Dalisay (Released Date: November 20, 1990)
- Lover's Delight (1990)
- Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2 (1991) - Buwang
- Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama (1991)
- Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati (1992)
- Kanto Boy: Alyas Kanto Boy (1992) - Morris/Shiny
- Patayin si Billy Zapanta – Order of Battle: Enemy No. 1 (1992) - Patrolman Martin
- Parolado: Partners in Crime (1993) – Enrico Silvano
- Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga (1993)
- Talahib at Rosas (1994) – Kumander Baliling
- Wating (1994) – Bert
- Nagkataon... Nagkatagpo (1994) – Guzman
- Lucas Abelardo (1994) – Mayor
- Pulis Patola 2 (1995)
- Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita (1995) – Benjie
- The Grepor Butch Belgica Story (1995) – Enemy in jail
- Asero (1995) – Spade
- Matimbang Pa sa Dugo (1995) - Sabater
- Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2 (1995) - Martin
- Humanda Ka, Babalikan Kita (1996)
- Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko (1996) – Lt. Miranda
- Detective: Michael & Jackson (1996) – Steven Founders
- Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba (1997) – Rufo
- Ipaglaban Mo II: The Movie (1997) – Sgt. Macatulos
- Kadre (1997)
- Iskalawag (1997)[14]
- Anak ng Bulkan (1997)[15] – Pulon
- Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede! (1999) – Mendez
- Esperanza: The Movie (1999) – Luis
- Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) – Roque
- Palaban (2000) – Barikan
- Biyaheng Langit (2000) – Bossing
- Markova: Comfort Gay (2000) – Puging
- Homecoming (2003) – Mr. Edades
- U Belt (2004) – Major
- Ang Anak ni Brocka (2005)
- Boso (2005) - Tata Nando
- The Great Raid (2005) - Henchman #2
- Tuli (2005)
- Donsol (2006)[16] – Fidel
- First Day High (2006) – Investigator Matriponio
- Faces of Love (2007)
- Ang M.O.N.A.Y. ni Mr. Shooli (Misteyks Opda Neysion Adres Yata) (2007)
- Pi7ong Tagpo (2007) - Fred Rodriguez
- Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2007) – Boy
- Maynila sa mga Pangil ng Dilim (2008)
- U.P.C.A.T. (2008) – Mang Avelino
- Kinuluyang Kiti (2009) – Udong
- Oh, My Girl! (2009) – Director
- Miss You Like Crazy (2010) – Efren Samonte
- Pendong (2010) – Mariano Verona
- Amigo (2011) – Policarpio[17]
- Dagim (2010)[18]
- Forever and a Day (2011)
- Isda (2011)
- Aswang (2011) – Moises, king of the Abuwaks[19]
- Thy Womb (2012) – Bang-Asan[20]
- Tinik (2013)
- Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill (2013) – Frederico delos Reyes
- K'na, the Dreamweaver (2014)
- Tres ("Faith, Love, Time & Dr. Lazaro" segment, 2014) – Dr. Lazaro
- Gangster Lolo (2014)[21]
- Piring (2015)
- Felix Manalo (2015) – Quintín Rivera
- Angela Markado (2015) – Benito
- Pedicab (2016) – Mang Pepe
- What Home Feels Like (2017)
- Baconaua (2017)
- AWOL (2017) – Amang
- Dark Is the Night (2017) – Boss
- Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017)
- Huwag Kang Lalabas ("Bahay" segment; 2021) – Mandurugo
- Nagalit ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak (2023)
- Kontrabida (2025)
- The Time That Remains (2025)
- Poon (upcoming)
- Kuya: The Governor Edwin Jubahib Story (upcoming)[22]
Television
Awards
| Year | Category | Work | Award giving body |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Best Actor | Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag [24] | FAMAS award |
| - | Best Actor | Sa Piling Ng Mga Sugapa [24][25] | Urian award |
| - | Best Actor | Esperanza [24] | Star Awards |
| 2016 | Best Actor | Pauwi Na [26] | ToFarm Awards |
| 2017 | Best Actor | Pauwi Na [27] | Luna Awards |
| 2017 | Best Actor | What Home Feels Like [28] | ToFarm Awards |
References
- ^ Labastilla, Skilty C. (November 2017). "On Film Polls and Pinoy Rebyu". Plaridel. 14 (2): 195–205. doi:10.52518/2017.14.2-15cmpos. S2CID 245578823. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Mendoza, Ruel J (December 12, 2010). "Bembol Roco and Tirso Cruz III portray gays in respective TV shows; Bembol enjoys unusual challenge, Tirso feels new respect for gays". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Bembol Roco settles long-standing rift with twin sons Felix and Dominic". GMA News Online. November 8, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Lagura, Trina (October 9, 2008). "Young actor Felix Roco teams up with dad, Bembol, in indie film". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Gallardo, Ricky (October 1, 2018). "For Dominic Roco, acting is life | Ricky Gallardo". BusinessMirror. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ San Diego Jr, Bayani (September 8, 2016). "Bembol Roco, Boyet de Leon reunite in new film". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ San Diego Jr, Bayani (April 7, 2013). "Bembol Roco revisits 'Maynila'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Espiritu, Talitha (April 15, 2017). Passionate Revolutions: The Media and the Rise and Fall of the Marcos Regime. Ohio University Press. ISBN 978-0-89680-498-2. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Philippine film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 193. ISBN 978-971-8546-31-4. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Hernando, Mario A. (1993). Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times. Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas. p. 172. ISBN 978-971-8546-16-1. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ Tiongson, Nicanor G. (1983). The Urian Anthology, 1970-1979: Selected Essays on Tradition and Innovation in the Filipino Cinema of the 1970s by the Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino : with about 550 Photos and Illustrations and a Filmography of Philippine Movies, 1970-1979. M.L. Morato. p. 284. ISBN 978-971-10-3000-1. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Philippine film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 247. ISBN 978-971-8546-31-4. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Quiros, Conrado De (1990). Flowers from the Rubble. Anvil Pub. p. 23. ISBN 9789712700514. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Yeatter, Bryan L. (2007). Cinema of the Philippines: A History and Filmography, 1897-2005. McFarland & Company. p. 301. ISBN 978-0-7864-3047-5. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ Red, Isah V. (December 20, 1997). "Home is where the heart is". Manila Standard. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Donsol..." Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 2, 2006. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Phl's finest actors cast in Amigo". The Philippine Star. January 20, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Dimples Romana plays Ces Drilon-inspired role". ABS-CBN News. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Villanueva, Earl (November 5, 2011). "PEP REVIEW: Aswang presents a strong narrative combined with visually stunning cinematography". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Cartalaba, Jude (December 5, 2012). "Thy Womb: Brillante Mendoza's finest". Rappler. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Expendables Filipino style". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. November 15, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ Gonzales, Rommel (July 16, 2023). "Christian Vazquez Thanks ABS-CBN, GMA-7". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Netizens rave about BINI Sheena's am-eyyy-zing portrayal of her life story on 'MMK'". ABS-CBN. May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c Tariman, Pablo A. (October 14, 2011). "The prime of Bembol Roco". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Tiongson, Nicanor G. (1983). The Urian Anthology, 1970-1979: Selected Essays on Tradition and Innovation in the Filipino Cinema of the 1970s by the Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino : with about 550 Photos and Illustrations and a Filmography of Philippine Movies, 1970-1979. M.L. Morato. p. 11. ISBN 978-971-10-3000-1. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Tuazon, Nikko (July 22, 2016). "Bembol Roco tied with Aeta tribe member for Best Actor at 1st To Farm Film Fest". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Luna Awards 2017". Rappler. August 27, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Rare feat for Bembol Roco". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 20, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
External links
- Bembol Roco at IMDb
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