The passing of Philippine screen legend, **Susan Roces**, has left a huge loss in the hearts of the public, her family, colleagues and especially the actor **Coco Martin**. Although many months have passed, the feeling of emptiness and sadness is still evident in the minds of those who loved her. But the most shocking thing is the **real reason behind her passing**, a truth that the public has never known!

Susan Roces, real name **Jesusa Purificación Levy Sonora-Poe**, is considered one of the great icons of the Philippine entertainment industry. With a career spanning decades, she was not only a talented actress but also a strong, courageous woman. But few people expected that, **before her death, there were warning signs that her family did not recognize**!

According to close sources, **Susan Roces had been quietly battling a serious illness for a long time**. She did not want to worry those around her, especially her daughter **Grace Poe** and other loved ones. Therefore, she kept her health condition a secret, continuing to appear radiantly on screen without anyone knowing that she was going through a difficult battle.

But the most shocking thing was the **unexpected complications in her final days**. Some sources revealed that her health condition had deteriorated rapidly, and it was her subjectivity and not wanting to be hospitalized earlier that made the situation irreversible.

Among those most deeply affected by Susan Roces’ passing, **Coco Martin was the one who suffered the greatest shock**. For him, she was not only a veteran actress but also a **second mother** in his life.

Coco Martin and Susan Roces had a special relationship when they worked together in the hit TV series *FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano*. To Coco, she was a teacher, a friend, a mother who always gave him support and valuable teachings. That’s why, when he heard the news of her passing, Coco **couldn’t hold back his tears**, even **collapsed in grief** at the funeral.

A source said, **Coco Martin burst into tears and couldn’t believe it**. The actor also revealed that **Susan Roces had promised to attend an important event of his, but unfortunately she couldn’t keep her word**. This made him even more heartbroken and regretful that he couldn’t be with her more in her final days.

Even though she had passed away, Susan Roces still left behind meaningful final words. A close friend revealed that, **before her last breath, she gave her family some instructions**. She wanted **Grace Poe to continue her political career**, wanted her loved ones to live happily and not be saddened by her passing.

In particular, **she also sent a special message to Coco Martin**, whom she considered a son. She once said:
*”Continue to pursue your passion, be true to yourself and always remember that I will always be watching over you.”*

The passing of Susan Roces is not only a great loss for her family but also a **deep pain in the hearts of her fans**. The image of a strong, gentle but courageous woman will forever live in the hearts of the audience.

Although she is no longer on screen, her legendary roles and the values ​​she left behind will never be forgotten. And especially, **Coco Martin’s grief only proves that she is not only a great actress, but also a mother, a friend, a colleague that everyone respects and loves**.

Coco Martin recalls fond memories with late Susan Roces
“Our love and respect for each other is deep.”
It was not easy for Coco Martin to accept the passing of Susan Roces on May 20, 2022 because he was deeply hurt by the loss of Eddia Garcia on June 20, 2019.

Susan and Eddie were two of the institutions and pillars of the Philippine entertainment industry who were part of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, ABS-CBN’s longest-running drama-action series starring Coco.

In his eulogy for the Queen of Philippine Movies on Sunday, May 22, Coco recalled the happy days he and Lola Flora, Susan’s character, were together in Ang Probinsyano.

“I thought, one of the most painful things I would experience in this industry was when Tito Eddie died.

“It was like we were paralyzed because he was our grandfather, eh, as if we didn’t think that while Probinsyano was still ongoing, even though we weren’t with him at that time, the pain was for us, because we took care of him so much.

“We value what he contributed to the industry so much.

“And then now, I didn’t think that one of the most special and closest people in my life, beyond this job, would be like this.”

COCO REMEMBERS HIS TITA SUSAN
Coco revealed that she doesn’t just treat Susan like a work colleague, following which she admitted that there were times when the veteran actress would sulk with her because she might be bragging.

“Tita Susan, I don’t work with her. I don’t just see her as a coworker.

“The respect and love and respect we have for each other is deep.

“Sometimes, I know that she sulks with me without knowing the reason. But I’m just thinking, maybe I did something wrong.

“Maybe I’m bragging or maybe I don’t go to her tent to say hello, visit. I don’t know.”

Coco continued, “I can only say one thing, I’m so scared of her.

“Because Tita Susan, she’s a very strong person, very brave. We know what she did, right?

“She would have beaten anyone else. That’s how brave she is. She doesn’t take anyone for granted, as long as she knows what she’s fighting for and what she’s saying is true.

“That’s why we take everything she says to heart.

“For us who work with her and me as her grandson in the industry, for all the artists I’m with, directors, for all the crew, staff, the words of wisdom she tells us really resonate with all of our minds and hearts.

“We’re so lucky to have worked with her because she knows everything.”

The ABS-CBN primetime drama series Walang Hanggan (January 2012 to October 2012) was the first project that Coco and Susan worked together on.

According to the 40-year-old actor, he felt scared when they first met.

Coco said, “We didn’t know how to face her because she’s a queen. We didn’t know how to approach her.

“I was hiding on one side. I didn’t know how to introduce myself. How to approach her.

“Until I noticed that she seemed to be the one approaching people to make me feel comfortable with her.”

Eventually, Coco became comfortable with Susan because she didn’t make us feel like we were all family and grandmothers. Almost every now and then, I was in her room, chatting.

“But I only approached one to him. He sees that I am not comfortable as an artist because I say that when I see someone who is a bit social, when I see them talking, speaking English, I feel like I am being stereotyped.

“Everyone knows that I don’t really know how to speak English.

“That’s why my grandmother said, ‘English is not important and that will not be the basis for people to respect you.

“’What is important is that you know how to face people with dignity. What is important is that what you say is true and is in your heart.

“‘What is more difficult is that you don’t know how to speak Tagalog because you are in the Philippines. You won’t make money.’

“And I believed it.”

Coco received a loud applause from those who sympathized with Susan’s bereaved family because of her last statement.