Susan Roces refused family’s wish to see doctor before passing: ‘This time, I’ll think of me’

Susan Roces. Image: Instagram/@heyitsbrianpoe

Susan Roces chose not to go to the hospital or see a doctor before she passed away as she is “ready” for her time, her daughter Sen. Grace Poe disclosed.

Poe spoke about the request she asked from her mother, in her eulogy at the last night of the wake, as seen on Poe’s Facebook page yesterday, May 25.

“Nung malapit na siyang mamayapa, hindi pa namin alam din pero kinausap ko siya (Before she passed away, we do not know at the time but I talked to her),” Poe recalled. “Sabi ko (I said), ‘Ma, can you please see the doctor or go to the hospital? If not for yourself, at least for us.’ Ang sabi niya, ‘I’ve been considering — I’ve been putting the feelings of other people before my own ever since. I’m already 80 years old, I’m ready. This time, I will think of me,’ and I really think she deserves that.”

Poe also recounted how she was advised by her mom to refrain from getting involved in issues. The senator then stressed that she was taught to fight for the truth by Roces, through the example of Poe’s late father, the “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe Jr.

“Ang sinasabi niya, ‘Ayokong magkaroon ng anak na bayani dahil ang mga bayani bantayog na lang at estatwa. Hindi ko sila makakasama,'” she said. “Pero ma, ang mga tinuro mo sa akin ay katangian ng bayani. Hindi ko kaya palagi pero ‘yun ‘yung tinuro mo sa akin.”

(She said, “I do not want my child to be a hero because heroes become monuments and statues. I cannot be with them.” But mom, what you taught me are characteristics of heroes. I may not live up to it all the time but that is what you taught me.)

Grace then gave her message to bid Roces goodbye, noting that the veteran actress will always be “the woman that she most admires and most scared of.”

“There’s nothing I want more than to make you and Papa proud,” Poe said. “Until we meet again, moms.”

Roces, dubbed as the “Queen of Philippine Movies,” passed away last Friday, May 20, due to cardiopulmonary arrest. She was laid to rest today, May 26, at the Manila North Cemetery beside Fernando Poe Jr.’s tomb. JB

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