Bembol Roco
Born: 1953-11-20 in Manila, Philippines
Known For: Acting
Biography
Rafael Aranda Roco, Jr. (born November 20, 1953), popularly known as Bembol Roco, is a Filipino actor whose work ranges from films to television. He is famous for his critically acclaimed role as Julio Madiaga in Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag ("Manila in the Claws of Light"). Though he acts in his country's films, he also had an important role in the 1982 Australian-U.S. film The Year of Living Dangerously. He also portrayed villain roles in Philippine action movies due to his signature bald head as well as various supporting roles. Bem starred in Sine Novela: Tinik sa Dibdib. He has twin sons named Felix and Dominic. Roco appeared in a minor role in 2010's Dagim, a Cinema One Original film directed by Joaquin Pedro Valdes, about the strange goings-on in a remote mountain province. He is well known to be most collaborative works with the late Lino Brocka, where he is a part of a group of actors called "Brocka babies",[5][6] and directors such as Ishmael Bernal, Chito S. Roño, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Joel Lamangan in the late twentieth century.
Filmography
2026
2025
- Incognito as Ninong
- The Time That Remains as Angua Jr.
- Kontrabida
- Nasaan si Hesus? as Congressman Carramba
- FANEY (The Fan) as Edgar
2024
- Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
- Brocka x Bernal as Self
- X&Y
- May Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika? as Manong Bert
- After All as Abner
2023
2022
- Big Bet as Daniel
2021
- Nerisa as Badong
- Huwag Kang Lalabas as Mandurugo (segment "Bahay")
2020
2019
- Adan as Lucas / Ellen's father
- Sakaling Maging Tayo
- Habambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema as Himself
- Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy as Rodrigo
2018
- The One That Got Away as Pancho Makalintal
- Dark Is the Night
2017
- AWOL as Amang
- What Home Feels Like
- Smaller and Smaller Circles as NBI Director Francisco Lastimosa
- Baconaua as Mang Danny
2016
- Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
- Pauwi Na as Mang Pepe
2015
- Little Nanay as Lolo Berting Batongbuhay
- Felix Manalo as Quintin Rivera
- Toto
- Ka-Relasyon: Talent as Warren
- Blindfold
2014
- Three
- K'na, The Dreamweaver as North Chieftain
- Gangster Lolo
2013
- May Isang Pangarap as Turing
- Porno
- Tinik
- Ang Pirata
2012
- One True Love as Henry Sandoval
- Thy Womb as Bangas-An
- Melodrama Negra
2011
- Sisid as Segismundo Zaragoza
- Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig as Police Inspector (Lieutenant) Robert Jimenez
- Sa Ngalan ng Ina as Mayor Armando "Amang" Deogracias
- Amigo as Policarpio
- Aswang as Moises
- Fable of the Fish as Miguel
- Forever and a Day as Gerry
2010
- Beauty Queen as Anya / Angelo Castillo
- Pitas as Kabo
- Miss You Like Crazy as Efren Samonte
- Dagim as Tolome
2009
- Tinik Sa Dibdib as Tiburcio "Tibo" Yadao
- Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story... as Director
2008
- Iisa Pa Lamang as Martin Dela Rhea
- UPCAT as Mang Avelino
- Carnivore
- Manila in the Fangs of Darkness as Kontra Madiaga
2007
- Asian Treasures as Marcus Vergara
- Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik as Tomas Arroyo
- Batanes as Boy
- Faces of Love
- Ang M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
- Pi7ong Tagpo as Fred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
2006
- Komiks
- Sa Piling Mo as Al Fernandez
- First Day High as Investigator Matriponio
- Donsol as Fidel
2005
- The Great Raid as Henchman #2
- Boso
- Circumcision
- The Son of Brocka
2004
2003
2002
- Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw as Oscar
2000
- Palaban
- Markova: Comfort Gay as Puging
1999
- Labs Ko Si Babe as Silvestre "Rocky" Escallon
- Bulaklak ng Maynila as Roque
- Esperanza: The Movie as Luis
- 'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede as Mendez
1998
- Lino: His Art and Life as Self
- Mainit Na Bala as Sgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
1997
- Vulcan as Pulon, Pedring's Stepfather
- Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba as Rufo
- Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II as Sgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
- Matang agila
- Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
- Kamada as Carlito
1995
- Matimbang Pa sa Dugo as Sabater
- Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
- Asero as Spade
- Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita as Benjie
1994
- Wating as Bert
- Nagkataon...Nagkatagpo as Guzman
- Lucas Abelardo as Chief
- Talahib at Rosas
1993
- Noli Me Tangere as Lucas
- Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway as Kabo Bello
- Sana'y Ikaw na Nga as Mike
1991
- Maalaala Mo Kaya as Luis Catacutan
- Anak ni Baby Ama as Junior Bahala
- Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2
1990
1989
- Fight for Us as Major Kontra
- Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita as Rod
1987
- Three Mothers, One Child as Serafin 'Bok'
1984
- 'Merika as Mon Zablan
- Mga Batang Yagit
- Bagets as The 'Sabets'
1983
- Over My Dead Body as Gary
- Once, There Was a Mother as Allan
1982
- The Year of Living Dangerously as Kumar
- Five and the Skin as Bembol
1981
- Pabling
- Controversial as Himself
- Raiders for Victory
1980
- Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon as Abel
1978
- Boy Pana
- Kampus? as Norman
- Will I Always Be a Woman? as Eric
- Isa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
- Hayop sa Hayop as Andro
- When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black as Dido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
1977
- Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa
- Banta ng Kahapon as Sgt. Rigor
- Tisoy! as Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
1976
1975
- Manila in the Claws of Light as Julio Madiaga
- Manila... A Filipino Film as Self