Mom Susan Roces was Sen. Poe’s ‘biggest and greatest critic’
MANILA, Philippines — As her colleagues paid tribute to her mother, the late veteran actress Susan Roces, Senator Grace Poe fondly recalled how her mother was the “biggest and greatest critic” of her work in the Senate— be it her appearance during hearings or the questions she asked during such proceedings.
On Monday, the Senate adopted a resolution expressing its condolences on the passing of Roces.
“We really appreciate the solidarity and support of my colleagues here in the Senate. I’m here today in spite of the fact that her wake is ongoing, I guess because it’s also comforting to be surrounded by friends and also to finish my work. My mom would always encourage me no matter what to finish what I started,” Poe told her fellow senators.
“I will miss the times when we conduct hearings and my mom is my biggest and greatest critic. She would actually call me and tell me ‘you should ask this’ or ‘good job to Senator’—whoever was interpellating—for their questions. But more importantly, she’d say ‘ayusin mo naman yung sarili mo, mag-make up ka ng konti [Fix your appearance, put on a little make up].’ Maraming salamat (Thank you),” she added.
Roces passed away last Friday. She was 80.
READ: Grace Poe shares ‘symbolic’ last talk with late mom Susan Roces
In honoring Roces, Poe said the actress became a mother not only to her but to other “children who needed a parent or a mom.”
“Although people think that I’m an only child, my mom really took care of children who needed a parent or a mom. That’s why so many consider her their mom,” the senator said.
Poe also highlighted her mother’s legacy.
“Many are correct to say that being an artist is not just her legacy, it’s really her character and integrity,” she said.
“She may have had many challenges in life, and she was part of the exciting and sometimes chaotic showbiz world but always she stood firm (on) who she was, how she dealt with people — mga taong mahihirap man, mayaman, sikat o hindi. Pare-pareho ho ang pag-trato niya sa kanila [From the poor to the rich, from famous people to those who are not, she treats them all the same],” she added.
