“Supported by facts and figures, writer Baby Karunungan Jimenez says that the most hottest star of the nation and undoubtedly “The Queen of Local Cinema is Susan Roces”.
From SCREEN STARDOM Vol. V; No. 4; Page 6-9 Year 1966
1. When she was awarded the ‘GOLD LOVING CUP” as most Outstanding Sampaguitan and at the same time unanimously branded as Miss PR, many were of the opinion that Susan was at the peak of her career and that was still 5 years ago. Her winning the MISS PHILIPPINE MOVIES made everybody think that it was her golden year.
Susan Roces with the Gold Loving Cup as most outstanding Sampaguitan and Miss PR.
Muse of the Sampaguita Pictures Family Club.
2. Hence, it’s a cinch that 1965’s box office queen was Susan because she has been “it” since 1961.
3. Tho’ Susan was not the real no. 1 in 1959, she was already given a certificate of distinction by the Vera-Perezes for scoring a rating close to the reigning queen, Gloria Romero. In 1960 she receives 2 plaques: as most popular box-office star given by VP again and the SHOWMEN’s CLUB.
2. Hence, it’s a cinch that 1965’s box office queen was Susan because she has been “it” since 1961.
3. Tho’ Susan was not the real no. 1 in 1959, she was already given a certificate of distinction by the Vera-Perezes for scoring a rating close to the reigning queen, Gloria Romero. In 1960 she receives 2 plaques: as most popular box-office star given by VP again and the SHOWMEN’s CLUB.
Susan receiving a plaque from Showmen's Club as the most popular box office star.
4. However, it was not still Susan who topped the moneymakers in 1960. As the list from the papers would have it, Gloria was still leading due to the hit of “ANG SUMPAAN NATIN”, her last pic as a “Miss” with Juancho Gutierrez. Number 2 placer then was Susan and 3rd was Amalia Fuentes.
5. Came 1961, which Sampaguitans considered a crucial time. Bobby Vasquez left Sampaguita this year, and it was only “ECA BABABUT”, a Susan-Luis Gonzales starrer that gained a no. 3 position in the top-ten list.
6. In 1962, Susan came out with a loud bang. She finally made it with 4 of her films in the first 10 including “SUSANANG DALDAL” and ‘SUSAN, SUSAY, SUSIE”. At this time, a market survey on the box-office potentialities of movie stars was made.
7. Susan Roces, however, is acclaimed THE STAR throughout the country and they don’t care very much just what kind of picture she appears in”, the report said.
8. In 1963, the club didn’t hand out awards. But it was apparent that Susan was in the van of money-makers. Susan was the only movie star who enjoyed the privilege of having 3 of her pictures among the 1st 10 grossers. Bookers in and out of the city seemed to have clamored for Susan headliners.
9. The year 1964 had Susan at the front once more. Her “EDDIE LOVES SUSIE” ranked in the biggest pesos for VP’s coffers. Susan had 5 in the first 10:
“EDDIE LOVES SUSIE” (1st)
“JUKEBOX JAMBOREE” (2nd)
‘ANONG GANDA MO” (4th)
“MGA KANYON SA CORREGIDOR” (7th) and
“LERON, LERON SINTA” (9th)
1963 Miss Philippine Movies
1964 Queen of Philippine Movies
1965 Reyna Ng Pelikulang Pilipino
1966 Miss Show Business
In the runner-up category (11-20), Susan had the most number again:
“HI-SOSAYTI”, “BINIBIRO LAMANG KITA”, and ‘LIBIS NG BARYO”. POE and FUENTES had one, their very first (and last????) team-up “WALANG HANGGAN” placing only 13th.
10. As a solo-flight star, Susan was and is much a sensation. In 1956, she alone was billed as “THE FACE THAT REFRESHES”.
11. At this particular period, the contest seemed to be this: SUSAN vs. AMALIA and BOBBY. This alone explains well how tremendous Susan’s appeal is. This is the Susan Roces distinct charm.
12. March 1965, Susan joined the rank-and-file of freelancers where race is evidently cutthroat. And granting that it was the freelancing year of Susan, it’s a safe bet that Susan was again 1965’s box-office grant.
13. All the movies she made in 1965 were mostly in color and they were either anniversary or initial presentations of film companies. Believe to have garnered the biggest amount was “ANG DAIGDIG KO’Y IKAW” which on it’s first day showing alone collected a meaty sum of P36,000.00. IT WAS THE FIRST LOCAL PICTURE TO HAVE SCORED THAT MUCH. Her movies like ‘PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL”, “BUHAY SA BUHAY”, “BAYAN KO, LUMABAN KA!” and ‘ANA-ROBERTA” were favorite contenders at the box-office. What’s more, her very 1st freelance year meant to be too rosy for her considering that it earned her another trip abroad in ‘ROMANSA SA WORLD’S FAIR” and a FAMAS nomination in “Ana-Roberta”.
14. Other Susan pictures that scored mightily like a tropical monsoon were “PAG-IBIG, IKAW ANG MAY SALA”, “HAMON SA KAMPEON” (shown for almost 3 weeks) and ‘PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE” (exhibited for 2 and a half weeks).
15. As a freelancer, Susan has appeared in several outfits: FPJ, Jafere, D’Lanor, Marpagen, Emar, GM, VP, Sampaguita, LEA, Gold Star, Ambassador, John-John, Pablo Santiago, RAS and United Brothers (etc.). Talks are rife that she’s being eyed by VINES and PEOPLES. No other female star has appeared in such number of productions in a considerable short period as a freelancer.
16. 1966 is Susan’s year again. Susan’s showing in the 1st six months is so high a record to be surpassed by any other female star. And among the male, it’s RONNIE once more. Their “ZAMBOANGA” has already earned something about P400,000.00 and is still making more in different parts of the islands.
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There was no doubt in my mind at all, hat Susan deserve all these acclamations and awards, she was the movie queen,the most loved because she is humble refreshing ,beautiful no controversies.
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