Senator Grace Poe prays beside her mother’s tomb
MANILA, Philippines -With a solemn Holy Mass and gift-giving initiative, family members and friends marked film icon Susan Roces’ second death anniversary.
Sen. Grace Poe, daughter Nika, and some relatives from the Sonora clan attended an early morning mass at the Sanctuario De San Jose in San Juan City before proceeding to the family mausoleum at the Manila North Cemetery.
Roces was laid to rest next to her husband, the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr.
Sen. Poe said she misses the conversations with her mother, which are always punctuated with clever motherly advice.
“Sa dami ng nangyayari sa ating bansa at sa ating personal na buhay, nami-miss mo ‘yung taong nagbibigay ng tatag at pakiramdam na panatag,” Sen. Poe said.
“We recall with great affection Susan Roces’ meaningful life, her legacy to the entertainment industry, and all she meant to many of us,” she added.
Brian Poe Llamanzares, the senator’s son and chief of staff, and chairperson of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Foundation, distributed food packs to 200 families living in the cemetery’s vicinity.
He spearheaded the food distribution, making sure that children were given meals first.
Brian Poe-Llamanzares distributes free lunch for families present at Manila North Cemetery
He said his grandmother was particularly keen on making sure that children were always well taken care of.
He mentioned that Susan Roces always had a soft spot when it came to the welfare of children.
“Mama Susan was a very caring person. I’m sure she would have been happy to know we celebrated today with a simple community lunch. The kids all seemed happy as well!”
Parents and their children all lined up to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the queen of Philippine movies.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan youth volunteers stayed behind to make sure that everyone who came to visit was given a meal and that the area was cleaned up after the event.
Roces was born Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora on July 28, 1941 in Bacolod City.
The award-winning actress starred in over 130 films over a career of seven decades. She has won major acting awards, including accolades for best actress.
Her popularity as an actress has also made Roces a credible choice as endorser of a number of products.
Roces’ final appearances on TV were as the well-loved Lola Flora, whom she portrayed for six years in Ang Probinsyano, an action series based on FPJ’s 1997 hit film of the same name.
“Sa isang episode ng Ang Probinsyano, sinabi ni Lola Flora na ang mga pumapanaw nating mahal sa buhay ay nakamasid sa atin sa ating kalungkutan at kasiyahan,” Sen. Poe said.
“Hindi ito siguro para takutin tayo, pero para paalalahanan na laging gumawa ng mabuti sa kapwa gaya ng mga aral na iniwan nya sa pagmamahal, pananalig at katapangan,” she added.
Sen. Poe said her family is deeply grateful for the love and support shown to her mother by friends and fans “as we do our utmost to live up to her values and ideals.”