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
2025
- The Time That Remains as Angua Jr.
- Incognito as Ninong
- FANEY (The Fan) as Edgar
- Nasaan si Hesus? as Congressman Carramba
- Kontrabida
2024
- X&Y
- After All as Abner
- Brocka x Bernal as Self
- May Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika? as Manong Bert
- Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
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
- Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy as Rodrigo
- Habambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema as Himself
2018
- Dark Is the Night
- The One That Got Away as Pancho Makalintal
2017
- Smaller and Smaller Circles as NBI Director Francisco Lastimosa
- What Home Feels Like
- AWOL as Amang
- Baconaua as Mang Danny
2016
- Pauwi Na as Mang Pepe
- Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
2015
- Felix Manalo as Quintin Rivera
- Toto
- Ka-Relasyon: Talent as Warren
- Little Nanay as Lolo Berting Batongbuhay
- Blindfold
2014
- Gangster Lolo
- K'na, The Dreamweaver as North Chieftain
- Three
2013
- Ang Pirata
- Tinik
- Porno
- May Isang Pangarap as Turing
2012
- Thy Womb as Bangas-An
- One True Love as Henry Sandoval
- Melodrama Negra
2011
- Aswang as Moises
- Fable of the Fish as Miguel
- Amigo as Policarpio
- Forever and a Day as Gerry
- Sisid as Segismundo Zaragoza
- Sa Ngalan ng Ina as Mayor Armando "Amang" Deogracias
- Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig as Police Inspector (Lieutenant) Robert Jimenez
2010
- Dagim as Tolome
- Pitas
- Beauty Queen as Anya / Angelo Castillo
- Miss You Like Crazy as Efren Samonte
2009
- Tinik Sa Dibdib as Tiburcio "Tibo" Yadao
- Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story... as Director
2008
- UPCAT as Mang Avelino
- Iisa Pa Lamang as Martin Dela Rhea
- Carnivore
- Manila in the Fangs of Darkness as Kontra Madiaga
2007
- Pi7ong Tagpo as Fred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
- Faces of Love
- Asian Treasures as Marcus Vergara
- Ang M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
- Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik as Tomas Arroyo
- Batanes as Boy
2006
- Donsol
- Komiks
- Sa Piling Mo as Al Fernandez
- First Day High as Investigator Matriponio
2005
- The Great Raid as Henchman #2
- Boso
- Tuli
- The Son of Brocka
2004
2003
2002
- Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw as Oscar
2000
- Markova: Comfort Gay as Puging
- Palaban
1999
- Labs Ko Si Babe as Silvestre "Rocky" Escallon
- Esperanza: The Movie as Luis
- Bulaklak ng Maynila as Roque
- 'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede as Mendez
1998
- Mainit Na Bala as Sgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
- Lino: His Art and Life as Self
1997
- Kamada as Carlito
- Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II as Sgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
- Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba as Rufo
- Vulcan as Pulon, Pedring's Stepfather
- Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
- Matang agila
1995
- Asero as Spade
- Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
- Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita as Benjie
- Matimbang Pa sa Dugo as Sabater
1994
- Wating as Bert
- Nagkataon...Nagkatagpo as Guzman
- Lucas Abelardo as Chief
- Talahib at Rosas
1993
- Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway as Kabo Bello
- Sana'y Ikaw na Nga as Mike
- Noli Me Tangere as Lucas
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
- Bagets as The 'Sabets'
- 'Merika as Mon Zablan
- Mga Batang Yagit
1983
- Minsan, May Isang Ina as Allan
- Over My Dead Body as Gary
1982
- The Year of Living Dangerously as Kumar
- Five and the Skin as Bembol
1981
- Kontrobersyal as Himself
- Pabling
- Raiders for Victory
1980
- Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon as Abel
1978
- Kampus? as Norman
- Pagputi ng Uwak... Pag-itim ng Tagak as Dido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
- Isa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
- Boy Pana
- Lagi na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? as Eric
- Hayop sa Hayop as Andro
1977
- Tisoy! as Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
- Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa
- Banta ng Kahapon as Sgt. Rigor
1976
- The Tenants as David
- Three Years Without God as Crispin (as Rafael Roco Jr.)
- Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo
1975
- Manila... A Filipino Film as Self
- Manila in the Claws of Light as Julio Madiaga