Acting · Manila, Philippines · Born November 20, 1953
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.
MovieThe Hollowed
2026
MovieNasaan si Hesus?
2025
as Congressman Carramba
MovieThe Time That Remains
2025
as Angua Jr.
MovieKontrabida
2025
MovieFANEY (The Fan)
2025
as Edgar
TVIncognito
2025
as Ninong
MovieMay Puso Ba Ang Isang Manika?
2024
as Manong Bert
MovieBrocka x Bernal
2024
as Self
MovieBilanggo ng Kinahinatnan
2024
MovieX&Y
2024
MovieAfter All
2024
as Abner
MoviePieta
2023
as Francis
MovieNagalit Ang Patay sa Haba ng Lamay: Da Resbak
2023
TVWalang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis
2023
as Ulo
TVBig Bet
2022
as Daniel
MovieHuwag Kang Lalabas
2021
as Mandurugo (segment "Bahay")
MovieNerisa
2021
as Badong
TVHappenstance
2020
MovieAdan
2019
as Lucas / Ellen's father
MovieHabambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema
2019
as Himself
MovieManila Is Full of Men Named Boy
2019
as Rodrigo
MovieSakaling Maging Tayo
2019
MovieDark Is the Night
2018
TVThe One That Got Away
2018
as Pancho Makalintal
MovieSmaller and Smaller Circles
2017
as NBI Director Francisco Lastimosa
MovieAWOL
2017
as Amang
MovieBaconaua
2017
as Mang Danny
MovieWhat Home Feels Like
2017
MoviePauwi Na
2016
as Mang Pepe
Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
2016
MovieToto
2015
TVLittle Nanay
2015
as Lolo Berting Batongbuhay
MovieFelix Manalo
2015
as Quintin Rivera
MovieKa-Relasyon: Talent
2015
as Warren
Blindfold
2015
MovieGangster Lolo
2014
Three
2014
MovieK'na, The Dreamweaver
2014
as North Chieftain
MovieTinik
2013
MoviePorno
2013
MovieAng Pirata
2013
TVMay Isang Pangarap
2013
as Turing
MovieThy Womb
2012
as Bangas-An
MovieMelodrama Negra
2012
TVOne True Love
2012
as Henry Sandoval
Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig
2011
as Police Inspector (Lieutenant) Robert Jimenez
MovieAswang
2011
as Moises
TVSa Ngalan ng Ina
2011
as Mayor Armando "Amang" Deogracias
MovieAmigo
2011
as Policarpio
MovieFable of the Fish
2011
as Miguel
MovieForever and a Day
2011
as Gerry
TVSisid
2011
as Segismundo Zaragoza
MovieDagim
2010
as Tolome
Beauty Queen
2010
as Anya / Angelo Castillo
MoviePitas
2010
as Kabo
MovieMiss You Like Crazy
2010
as Efren Samonte
Tinik Sa Dibdib
2009
as Tiburcio "Tibo" Yadao
MovieOh, My Girl! A Laugh Story...
2009
as Director
MovieUPCAT
2008
as Mang Avelino
Carnivore
2008
TVIisa Pa Lamang
2008
as Martin Dela Rhea
MovieManila in the Fangs of Darkness
2008
as Kontra Madiaga
Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik
2007
as Tomas Arroyo
MovieBatanes
2007
as Boy
MoviePi7ong Tagpo
2007
as Fred Rodriguez (segment "Toga")
MovieAng M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli
2007
MovieFaces of Love
2007
TVAsian Treasures
2007
as Marcus Vergara
MovieDonsol
2006
as Fidel
MovieFirst Day High
2006
as Investigator Matriponio
TVSa Piling Mo
2006
as Al Fernandez
TVKomiks
2006
MovieCircumcision
2005
MovieThe Great Raid
2005
as Henchman #2
MovieThe Son of Brocka
2005
MovieBoso
2005
MovieU Belt
2004
MovieHomecoming
2003
TVAng Iibigin Ay Ikaw
2002
as Oscar
MovieMarkova: Comfort Gay
2000
as Puging
MoviePalaban
2000
MovieBulaklak ng Maynila
1999
as Roque
MovieEsperanza: The Movie
1999
as Luis
Labs Ko Si Babe
1999
as Silvestre "Rocky" Escallon
Movie'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede
1999
as Mendez
MovieMainit Na Bala
1998
as Sgt. Garcia Acevero (as Rafael 'Bembol' Roco Jr.)
MovieLino: His Art and Life
1998
as Self
MovieMatang agila
1997
MovieIpaglaban Mo: The Movie II
1997
as Sgt. Macatulos (episode 1)
MovieVulcan
1997
as Pulon, Pedring's Stepfather
MovieKamada
1997
as Carlito
MovieIskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas
1997
MovieWala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba
1997
as Rufo
MovieTubusin Mo Ng Bala Ang Puso Ko
1996
MovieMatimbang Pa sa Dugo
1995
as Sabater
MovieAsero
1995
as Spade
MovieIkaw Pa... Eh Love Kita
1995
as Benjie
MovieIligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2
1995
MovieLucas Abelardo
1994
as Chief
MovieTalahib at Rosas
1994
MovieNagkataon...Nagkatagpo
1994
as Guzman
MovieWating
1994
as Bert
MovieLeonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway
1993
as Kabo Bello
TVNoli Me Tangere
1993
as Lucas
MovieSana'y Ikaw na Nga
1993
as Mike
MovieKidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2
1991
TVMaalaala Mo Kaya
1991
as Luis Catacutan
MovieAnak ni Baby Ama
1991
as Junior Bahala
MovieKapitan Paile: Hindi Kita Iiwanang Buhay!
1990
Jabidah Massacre
1990
MovieDirty Affair
1990
as Falcon
MovieBiokids
1990
as Clown
Urbanito Dizon (The Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon)
1990
MovieBabangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita
1989
as Rod
MovieFight for Us
1989
as Major Kontra
MovieThree Mothers, One Child
1987
as Serafin 'Bok'
MovieGabi Na, Kumander
1986
MovieSobra Na, Tama Na, Asiong Aksaya
1986
Movie'Merika
1984
as Mon Zablan
Mga Batang Yagit
1984
MovieBagets
1984
as The 'Sabets'
Over My Dead Body
1983
as Gary
MovieOnce, There Was a Mother
1983
as Allan
MovieThe Year of Living Dangerously
1982
as Kumar
MovieFive and the Skin
1982
as Bembol
MoviePabling
1981
MovieControversial
1981
as Himself
Raiders for Victory
1981
Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon
1980
as Abel
Ang Leon, ang Tigre, at ang Alamid
1979
MoviePinay, American Style
1979
as Nonoy
MovieBoy Kodyak
1979
MovieHayop sa Hayop
1978
as Andro
MovieWill I Always Be a Woman?
1978
as Eric
MovieKampus?
1978
as Norman
MovieWhen the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black
1978
as Dido (as Bembol Roco Jr.)
MovieBoy Pana
1978
MovieIsa-dalawa-tatlo: Ang tatay kong kalbo
1978
MovieSa Piling ng mga Sugapa
1977
MovieBanta ng Kahapon
1977
as Sgt. Rigor
MovieTisoy!
1977
as Julio Madiaga (uncredited)
MovieThree Years Without God
1976
as Crispin
MovieMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
1976
MovieThe Tenants
1976
as David
MovieManila in the Claws of Light
1975
as Julio Madiaga
MovieManila... A Filipino Film
1975
as Self
