MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Senate on Monday expressed its condolences on the death of veteran actress Susan Roces, who was described as a 鈥渘ational treasure鈥� and the 鈥渇oremost leading lady of local cinema.鈥�
The senators adopted Senate Resolution No. 1002 expressing the Senate鈥檚 sympathy and condolences on the passing of Roces, the late mother of Senator Grace Poe.
In sponsoring the resolution, Senate President Vicente Sotto III remembered the veteran actress, who starred in over 130 movies, for her contributions to the industry.
鈥淭oday, we honor the life of a movie icon, a true Filipina, and a national treasure. However, it has been said that the best speech delivered in occasions like this do not emanate from the speakers, but from the deed or the legacy of the person being honored.鈥� said Sotto.
鈥淪usan, your life is an inspiration to not only those who have been and are still part of the movie industry but also to all Filipinos whose lives you have touched 鈥� whether through your deeds or movies you have starred in,鈥� he added.
Sotto also said that Roces 鈥渃ould have been another beautiful first lady.鈥�
Roces is the wife of late Philipine movie icon, Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for president in 2004.
鈥淚ndeed, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces made a perfect pair. FPJ could have been a good president and Susan could have been another beautiful first lady 鈥� a king and a queen, in fact,鈥� the Senate president said.
鈥淭hey are both considered as pillars of the Philippine movie industry whose passing is definitely a big loss to the industry,鈥� Sotto added.
鈥楻eachable star鈥櫶�
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto remembered Roces as a 鈥渞eachable star,鈥� someone who treats people with kindness and dignity.
鈥淔or 80 years her star shone bright, her performances illuminating the traits which make us great, as well as the foibles that prevent us from being so,鈥� Recto said.
鈥淔or many young women, in tinseltown or out, she was the proverbial star in the sky one cannot touch, but by following it would lead you to your destination,鈥� he added.
鈥淏ut, no, she was a reachable star, always displaying the true mark of class: by treating kindly and with dignity the people who work for her and with her,鈥� he further said.
听Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also paid tribute to Roces, calling her a 鈥減illar of Philippine cinema.鈥�
听Senators Joel Villanueva and Ramon 鈥淏ong鈥� Revilla Jr. likewise honored the late veteran actress. Senator Sonny Angara also offered prayers for the late actress earlier in the session.
Poe thanked her colleagues for their tributes to her mother.
听She again recalled her last phone call with her mother, which was about the signing of the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act.
Poe extended her appreciation to Senators Risa Hontiveros and Pia Cayetano for their leading role in the passage of the bill in the Senate.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 full circle already in her life. That was maybe her signal that, you know, it鈥檚 time to go,鈥� Poe said, referring to the enactment of the bill into law.