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Bembol Roco

Actor

Bembol Roco

Born November 20, 1953 in Manila, Philippines122 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into Bembol Roco's work
Manila in the Claws of Light posterFirst watchManila in the Claws of Light19757.4as Julio MadiagaJulio, a young fisherman from a provincial village, descends into social alienation as he arrives in Manila to search for his loved one.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
The Year of Living Dangerously poster6.7The Year of Living Dangerously1982The Great Raid poster6.5The Great Raid2005

Filmography

122 films as actor
  1. 2026The Hallowed
  2. 2026Kappa-Tiran
  3. 2025Nasaan si Hesus?Congressman Carramba
  4. 2025The Time That RemainsAngua Jr.
  5. 2025Kontrabida
  6. 2025FANEY (The Fan)Edgar
  7. 2024May Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika?Manong Bert
  8. 2024Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
  9. 2024X&Y
  10. 2024After AllAbner
  11. 2023PietaFrancis
  12. 2023Nagalit Ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak
  13. 2023Tomacruz: Sa puso ng anakHesus Tomacruz Sr.
  14. 2021Huwag Kang LalabasMandurugo (segment "Bahay")
  15. 2021NerisaBadong
  16. 2019AdanLucas / Ellen's father
  17. 2019Manila Is Full of Men Named BoyRodrigo
  18. 2019Sakaling Maging TayoPol's Dad
  19. 2018Dark Is the Night
  20. 2017Smaller and Smaller CirclesNBI Director Francisco Lastimosa
  21. 2017AWOLAmang
  22. 2017BaconauaMang Danny
  23. 2017What Home Feels Like
  24. 2016Pauwi NaMang Pepe
  25. 2016Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
  26. 2015Toto
  27. 2015Felix ManaloQuintin Rivera
  28. 2015Ka-Relasyon: TalentWarren
  29. 2015Blindfold
  30. 2014Gangster Lolo
  31. 2014Three
  32. 2014K'na, The DreamweaverNorth Chieftain
  33. 2013Tinik
  34. 2013Porno
  35. 2013Ang Pirata
  36. 2012Thy WombBangas-An
  37. 2012Melodrama Negra
  38. 2011AswangMoises
  39. 2011AmigoPolicarpio
  40. 2011Fable of the FishMiguel
  41. 2011Forever and a DayGerry
  42. 2010DagimTolome
  43. 2010PitasKabo
  44. 2010Miss You Like CrazyEfren Samonte
  45. 2009Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story...Director
  46. 2008UPCATMang Avelino
  47. 2008Carnivore
  48. 2008Manila in the Fangs of DarknessKontra Madiaga
  49. 2007BatanesBoy
  50. 2007Pi7ong TagpoFred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
  51. 2007Ang M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
  52. 2007Faces of Love
  53. 2006DonsolFidel
  54. 2006First Day HighInvestigator Matriponio
  55. 2005Circumcision
  56. 2005The Great RaidHenchman #2
  57. 2005The Son of Brocka
  58. 2005Boso
  59. 2004U Belt
  60. 2003Homecoming
  61. 2000Markova: Comfort GayPuging
  62. 2000Palaban
  63. 1999Bulaklak ng MaynilaRoque
  64. 1999Esperanza: The MovieLuis
  65. 1999'Di Puwedeng Hindi PuwedeMendez
  66. 1998Mainit Na BalaSgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
  67. 1997Matang agila
  68. 1997Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie IISgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
  69. 1997VulcanPulon, Pedring's Stepfather
  70. 1997KamadaCarlito
  71. 1997Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
  72. 1997Wala Nang Iibigin Pang IbaRufo
  73. 1996Tubusin Mo Ng Bala Ang Puso Ko
  74. 1995Matimbang Pa sa DugoSabater
  75. 1995AseroSpade
  76. 1995Ikaw Pa... Eh Love KitaBenjie
  77. 1995Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
  78. 1994Lucas AbelardoChief
  79. 1994Talahib at Rosas
  80. 1994Nagkataon...NagkatagpoGuzman
  81. 1994WatingBert
  82. 1993Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas WawayKabo Bello
  83. 1993Sana'y Ikaw na NgaMike
  84. 1991Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2
  85. 1991Anak ni Baby AmaJunior Bahala
  86. 1990Kapitan Paile: Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay!
  87. 1990Jabidah Massacre
  88. 1990Dirty AffairFalcon
  89. 1990BiokidsClown
  90. 1990Urbanito Dizon
  91. 1989Babangon Ako't Dudurugin KitaRod
  92. 1989Fight for UsMajor Kontra
  93. 1987Three Mothers, One ChildSerafin 'Bok'
  94. 1986Gabi Na, Kumander
  95. 1986Sobra Na, Tama Na, Asiong Aksaya
  96. 1985Grease Gun BrothersRomeo Sanchez
  97. 1984'MerikaMon Zablan
  98. 1984Mga Batang Yagit
  99. 1984BagetsThe 'Sabets'
  100. 1983Over My Dead BodyGary
  101. 1983Once, There Was a MotherAllan
  102. 1982The Year of Living DangerouslyKumar
  103. 1982Five and the SkinBembol
  104. 1981Pabling
  105. 1981Raiders for Victory
  106. 1980Gabi ng Lagim NgayonAbel
  107. 1979Ang Leon, ang Tigre, at ang Alamid
  108. 1979Pinay, American StyleNonoy
  109. 1979Boy Kodyak
  110. 1978Hayop sa HayopAndro
  111. 1978Will I Always Be a Woman?Eric
  112. 1978Kampus?Norman
  113. 1978When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns BlackDido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
  114. 1978Boy Pana
  115. 1978Isa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
  116. 1977Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa
  117. 1977Banta ng KahaponSgt. Rigor
  118. 1977Tisoy!Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
  119. 1976Three Years Without GodCrispin
  120. 1976Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday