Bembol Roco
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
Maalaala Mo Kaya
Luis Catacutan
1991
Labs Ko Si Babe
Silvestre "Rocky" Escallon
1999
Series
Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw
Oscar
2002
Series
Asian Treasures
Marcus Vergara
2007
Series
Big Bet
Daniel
2022
Series
Incognito
Ninong
2025
Series
Komiks
2006
Film
The Great Raid
Henchman #2
2005
Series
Sa Piling Mo
Al Fernandez
2006
Series
Iisa Pa Lamang
Martin Dela Rhea
2008
Film
The Year of Living Dangerously
Kumar
1982
Tinik Sa Dibdib
Tiburcio "Tibo" Yadao
2009
Series
One True Love
Henry Sandoval
2012
Series
May Isang Pangarap
Turing
2013
Series
Sisid
Segismundo Zaragoza
2011
Film
Amigo
Policarpio
2011
Series
The One That Got Away
Pancho Makalintal
2018
Film
Boso
2005
Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik
Tomas Arroyo
2007
Film
Vulcan
Pulon, Pedring's Stepfather
1997
Series
Noli Me Tangere
Lucas
1993
Series
Little Nanay
Lolo Berting Batongbuhay
2015
Film
Porno
2013
Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig
Police Inspector (Lieutenant) Robert Jimenez
2011
Series
Happenstance
2020
Film
The Time That Remains
Angua Jr.
2025
Film
Nerisa
Badong
2021
Beauty Queen
Anya / Angelo Castillo
2010
Film
Manila... A Filipino Film
Self
1975
Three
2014
Film
Circumcision
2005
Film
Adan
Lucas / Ellen's father
2019
Film
'Merika
Mon Zablan
1984
Series
Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis
Ulo
2023
Film
Five and the Skin
Bembol
1982
Film
Manila in the Claws of Light
Julio Madiaga
1975
Film
Kontrabida
2025
Film
Thy Womb
Bangas-An
2012
Film
Markova: Comfort Gay
Puging
2000
Film
First Day High
Investigator Matriponio
2006
Film
Miss You Like Crazy
Efren Samonte
2010
Film
Dark Is the Night
2018
Film
What Home Feels Like
2017
Film
Nasaan si Hesus?
Congressman Carramba
2025
Series
Sa Ngalan ng Ina
Mayor Armando "Amang" Deogracias
2011
Film
Three Years Without God
Crispin
1976
Film
Palaban
2000
Film
Tinik
2013
Film
Boy Kodyak
1979
Film
The Hollowed
2026
Film
Dirty Affair
Falcon
1990
Film
Smaller and Smaller Circles
NBI Director Francisco Lastimosa
2017
Film
Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway
Kabo Bello
1993
Film
Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II
Sgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
1997
Film
Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba
Rufo
1997
Film
Bulaklak ng Maynila
Roque
1999
Film
Pitas
Kabo
2010
Film
Anak ni Baby Ama
Junior Bahala
1991
Film
Faces of Love
2007
Film
Bagets
The 'Sabets'
1984
Mga Batang Yagit
1984
Film
Gabi Na, Kumander
1986
Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
2016
Film
Habambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema
Himself
2019
Film
Pauwi Na
Mang Pepe
2016
Film
Nagalit Ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak
2023
Film
Sakaling Maging Tayo
2019
Film
'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede
Mendez
1999
Film
Tisoy!
Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
1977
Film
Matang agila
1997
Film
Once, There Was a Mother
Allan
1983
Film
Fable of the Fish
Miguel
2011
Film
May Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika?
Manong Bert
2024
Film
Biokids
Clown
1990
Film
Donsol
Fidel
2006
Film
Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
2024
Film
When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black
Dido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
1978
Urbanito Dizon (The Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon)
1990
Film
Felix Manalo
Quintin Rivera
2015
Film
Esperanza: The Movie
Luis
1999
Film
Asero
Spade
1995
Film
Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story...
Director
2009
Film
Huwag Kang Lalabas
Mandurugo (segment "Bahay")
2021
Film
Ang Pirata
2013
Film
Brocka x Bernal
Self
2024
Film
Aswang
Moises
2011
Film
The Tenants
David
1976
Film
Controversial
Himself
1981
Film
Pieta
Francis
2023
Film
Pinay, American Style
Nonoy
1979
Film
Fight for Us
Major Kontra
1989
Film
Matimbang Pa sa Dugo
Sabater
1995
Film
Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita
Rod
1989
Film
Pabling
1981
Film
Will I Always Be a Woman?
Eric
1978
Film
UPCAT
Mang Avelino
2008
Film
Forever and a Day
Gerry
2011
Film
Homecoming
2003
Film
The Son of Brocka
2005
Film
AWOL
Amang
2017
Film
Lino: His Art and Life
Self
1998
Film
Toto
2015
Film
Dagim
Tolome
2010
Film
Tubusin Mo Ng Bala Ang Puso Ko
1996
Film
U Belt
2004
Film
K'na, The Dreamweaver
North Chieftain
2014
Film
Wating
Bert
1994
Film
Banta ng Kahapon
Sgt. Rigor
1977
Film
Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
1997
Film
Ang M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
2007
Carnivore
2008
Film
Baconaua
Mang Danny
2017
Film
X&Y
2024
Film
Three Mothers, One Child
Serafin 'Bok'
1987
Film
Batanes
Boy
2007
Film
Hayop sa Hayop
Andro
1978
Blindfold
2015
Film
Talahib at Rosas
1994
Film
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
1976
Film
Sana'y Ikaw na Nga
Mike
1993
Film
Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa
1977
Film
Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
1995
Film
Ikaw Pa... Eh Love Kita
Benjie
1995
Film
Kamada
Carlito
1997
Film
Boy Pana
1978
Film
After All
Abner
2024
Film
Nagkataon...Nagkatagpo
Guzman
1994
Film
Isa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
1978
Film
Melodrama Negra
2012
Film
Kampus?
Norman
1978
Film
Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy
Rodrigo
2019
Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon
Abel
1980
Ang Leon, ang Tigre, at ang Alamid
1979
Film
Pi7ong Tagpo
Fred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
2007
Film
Lucas Abelardo
Chief
1994
Over My Dead Body
Gary
1983
Jabidah Massacre
1990
Film
Sobra Na, Tama Na, Asiong Aksaya
1986
Raiders for Victory
1981
Film
FANEY (The Fan)
Edgar
2025
Film
Mainit Na Bala
Sgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
1998
Film
Ka-Relasyon: Talent
Warren
2015
Film
Kapitan Paile: Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay!
1990
Film
Manila in the Fangs of Darkness
Kontra Madiaga
2008
Film
Gangster Lolo
2014
Film
Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2
1991