Bembol Roco
Filipino actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
November 20, 1953
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) |
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 |