Bembol Roco Last updated August 14, 2025 Filipino actor
Bembol Roco
Born Rafael Aranda Roco, Jr.
(1953-11-20 ) November 20, 1953 (age 71) 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 MadiagaBabae, Huwag Kang Tukso (1977)Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa (1977)Banta ng Kahapon (1977)Boy Pana (Terror ng Maynila '63) (1978) - Boy PanaPagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978)Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? (1978) - EricHayop sa Hayop (1978)Kid Kaliwete (1978) - Kid KaliweteBoy 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 BoyGabi ng Lagim Ngayon (1980) - AbelPinay, American Style (1980) - NonoyBeach House (1980)Pangkat Do or Die (1980)Alyas Boy Kalbo (1980)Taga sa panahon (1980)Intrusion: Cambodia (1981)Bulldog (1981)Pabling (1981)Totoy Guwapo (1981)Asal Hayop (1981) Five and the Skin (1982) - BembolTres Kantos (1982) The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) - KumarOver 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 vendorHalang 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) - RodAnak ni Baby Ama (1990) - Junior Bahala (Released Date: September 26, 1990)Urbanito Dizon (1990) - PolBiokids (1990) Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) - FalconHindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay: Kapitan Paile (1990) - Sgt. Dalisay (Released Date: November 20, 1990)Lover's Delight (1990)Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2 (1991) - BuwangKalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama (1991)Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati (1992)Kanto Boy: Alyas Kanto Boy (1992) - Morris/ShinyPatayin si Billy Zapanta – Order of Battle: Enemy No. 1 (1992) - Patrolman MartinParolado: Partners in Crime (1993) – Enrico SilvanoSana'y Ikaw Na Nga (1993)Talahib at Rosas (1994) – Kumander BalilingWating (1994) – BertNagkataon... Nagkatagpo (1994) – Guzman Lucas Abelardo (1994) – MayorPulis Patola 2 (1995)Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita (1995) – Benjie The Grepor Butch Belgica Story (1995) – Enemy in jail Asero (1995) – SpadeMatimbang Pa sa Dugo (1995) - SabaterIligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2 (1995) - MartinHumanda Ka, Babalikan Kita (1996) Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko (1996) – Lt. MirandaDetective: Michael & Jackson (1996) – Steven FoundersWala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba (1997) – RufoIpaglaban Mo II: The Movie (1997) – Sgt. MacatulosKadre (1997)Iskalawag (1997) [ 14] Anak ng Bulkan (1997) [ 15] – PulonDi Puwedeng Hindi Puwede! (1999) – MendezEsperanza: The Movie (1999) – LuisBulaklak ng Maynila (1999) – RoquePalaban (2000) – Barikan Biyaheng Langit (2000) – Bossing Markova: Comfort Gay (2000) – PugingHomecoming (2003) – Mr. EdadesU Belt (2004) – MajorAng Anak ni Brocka (2005)Boso (2005) - Tata Nando The Great Raid (2005) - Henchman #2Tuli (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) – BoyMaynila sa mga Pangil ng Dilim (2008)U.P.C.A.T. (2008) – Mang AvelinoKinuluyang Kiti (2009) – UdongOh, My Girl! (2009) – Director Miss You Like Crazy (2010) – Efren SamontePendong (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 ReyesK'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)What Home Feels Like (2017)Baconaua (2017) AWOL (2017) Dark Is the Night (2017) Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017) Huwag Kang Lalabas ("Bahay" segment; 2021)Nagalit ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak (2023)Kuya: The Governor Edwin Jubahib Story (upcoming) [ 22] 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 . 1 2 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 . 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. 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 . 1 2 3 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
1952–1975 1976–2000 2001–present
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