In 1977, she played the role of Nanay Idad in the revival TV drama series based from the very successful radio soap opera (first heard over DZRH in 1949) Gulong ng Palad as a household mother of Luisa.
She honed her acting skills working with big stars such as Dolphy, Nida Blanca, and Fernando Poe Jr. She was later cast in bigger roles in the late 1970s.
In 2001 she starred in Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka as Judy Ann Santos's grandmother and in 2003-2004 she played a major role as Joel Torre's mother in Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas on ABS-CBN.
[18] In an Instagram post on September 17, 2020, Sanchez's daughter, Cathy Babao, disclosed the actress' battle with dementia which was diagnosed in late 2015.
[19][20] However, Alexander Joseph disputed his sister's claims, explaining that Sanchez only has a "mild cognitive handicap that goes with aging" and is physically fit under his care.