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.
Acted in 128
2020s
- 2026
Kappa-Tiran
Movie
- 2025
Nasaan si Hesus?
Congressman Carramba
Kontrabida
Movie
FANEY (The Fan)
Edgar
- 2024
May Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika?
Manong Bert
Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
Movie
X&Y
Movie
After All
Abner
- 2023
Pieta
Francis
Nagalit Ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak
Movie
Tomacruz: Sa puso ng anak
Hesus Tomacruz Sr.
Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis
Ulo · 12 episodes
- 2022
- 2021
Huwag Kang Lalabas
Mandurugo (segment "Bahay")
Nerisa
Badong
- 2020
Happenstance
TV
2010s
- 2019
Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy
Rodrigo
Sakaling Maging Tayo
Pol's Dad
- 2018
Dark Is the Night
Movie
The One That Got Away
Pancho Makalintal · 88 episodes
- 2017
AWOL
Amang
Baconaua
Mang Danny
What Home Feels Like
Movie
- 2016
Pauwi Na
Mang Pepe
- 2015
Toto
Movie
Little Nanay
Lolo Berting Batongbuhay · 93 episodes
Felix Manalo
Quintin Rivera
Ka-Relasyon: Talent
Warren
- 2014
Gangster Lolo
Movie
- 2013
Tinik
Movie
Porno
Movie
Ang Pirata
Movie
May Isang Pangarap
Turing · 83 episodes
- 2012
Thy Womb
Bangas-An
Melodrama Negra
Movie
One True Love
Henry Sandoval · 85 episodes
- 2011
Aswang
Moises
Sa Ngalan ng Ina
Mayor Armando "Amang" Deogracias · 25 episodes
Fable of the Fish
Miguel
Forever and a Day
Gerry
Sisid
Segismundo Zaragoza · 79 episodes
- 2010
Dagim
Tolome
Pitas
Kabo
Miss You Like Crazy
Efren Samonte
2000s
- 2009
Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story...
Director
- 2008
UPCAT
Mang Avelino
Iisa Pa Lamang
Martin Dela Rhea · 85 episodes
Manila in the Fangs of Darkness
Kontra Madiaga
- 2007
Batanes
Boy
Pi7ong Tagpo
Fred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
Ang M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
Movie
Faces of Love
Movie
- 2006
Donsol
Fidel
First Day High
Investigator Matriponio
- 2005
Circumcision
Movie
The Son of Brocka
Movie
- 2004
U Belt
Movie
- 2003
Homecoming
Movie
- 2002
- 2000
Markova: Comfort Gay
Puging
Palaban
Movie
1990s
- 1999
Bulaklak ng Maynila
Roque
Esperanza: The Movie
Luis
'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede
Mendez
- 1998
Mainit Na Bala
Sgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
- 1997
Matang agila
Movie
Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II
Sgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
Vulcan
Pulon, Pedring's Stepfather
Kamada
Carlito
Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
Movie
Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba
Rufo
- 1996
Tubusin Mo Ng Bala Ang Puso Ko
Movie
- 1995
Matimbang Pa sa Dugo
Sabater
Asero
Spade
Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita
Benjie
Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
Movie
- 1994
Lucas Abelardo
Chief
Talahib at Rosas
Movie
Nagkataon...Nagkatagpo
Guzman
Wating
Bert
- 1993
Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway
Kabo Bello
Noli Me Tangere
Lucas · 13 episodes
Sana'y Ikaw na Nga
Mike
- 1991
Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2
Movie
Anak ni Baby Ama
Junior Bahala
- 1990
Kapitan Paile: Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay!
Movie
Dirty Affair
Falcon
Biokids
Clown
1980s
- 1989
Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita
Rod
Fight for Us
Major Kontra
- 1987
Three Mothers, One Child
Serafin 'Bok'
- 1986
Gabi Na, Kumander
Movie
Sobra Na, Tama Na, Asiong Aksaya
Movie
- 1985
Grease Gun Brothers
Romeo Sanchez
- 1984
'Merika
Mon Zablan
Bagets
The 'Sabets'
- 1983
Once, There Was a Mother
Allan
- 1982
Five and the Skin
Bembol
- 1981
Pabling
Movie
1970s
- 1979
Pinay, American Style
Nonoy
Boy Kodyak
Movie
- 1978
Hayop sa Hayop
Andro
Will I Always Be a Woman?
Eric
Kampus?
Norman
When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black
Dido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
Boy Pana
Movie
Isa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
Movie
- 1977
Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa
Movie
Banta ng Kahapon
Sgt. Rigor
Tisoy!
Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
- 1976
Three Years Without God
Crispin
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Movie
The Tenants
David
- 1975
Manila in the Claws of Light
Julio Madiaga
Appearances5
2020s
- 2024
Brocka x Bernal
Self
2010s
- 2019
Habambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema
Himself
1990s
- 1998
Lino: His Art and Life
Self
1980s
- 1981
Controversial
Himself
1970s
- 1975
Manila... A Filipino Film
Self