Reminder: Susan Africa Has Played a Non-Coughing Role Before
Here's a throwback to Gimik.
(SPOT.ph) Susan Africa is finally taking on a different kind of role—an ubo-free one, as people online are saying. The acclaimed actress was seen looking all fancy for her role in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo recently, setting off a trend online of people quipping that she's playing a strong character for once, you know, one that isn't sickly or perpetually coughing. Well, we're here to remind you that this isn't the first time she's taking on a power role. Remember Gimik? The '90s show had a 1999 movie reunion that starred, yup, Africa as the alta momma of Brian (Bojo Molina).
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Susan Africa trends online after FPJ's Batang Quiapo trailer drops
A trailer for the new chapter of the popular show dropped on September 8, with glimpses of Africa's character Nita Dimaculangan stepping out of a car dressed in a slivery blouse, dangling earrings, and red lipstick. People online we're quick to rejoice at how the artist has finally been freed from her usual role of a sickly mother, with lots pointing to her characters' penchant for having a cough.
With all the funny jokes though, some people pointed out that this isn't the first time Africa played a yayamanin role. You might remember her as Mrs. Lorenzo in the 1999 movie Gimik: The Reunion. Allow us to jog your memory: She was the cool-looking mom of Brian who disapproved of her son's relationship with Melani (Mylene Dizon) usually seen sporting cool 'fits and subtly judgy expressions.
A 2020 post on the Susan Africa public Facebook page even had a throwback to the movie. "Many many years ago," said the caption.
Another title that made the mix is 2007 series Walang Kapalit where she starred as Elaine Santillan, alongside Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual.
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Who is Susan Africa?
The stereotype of "pambansang ina" that follows Africa can probably be traced back to when she starred as Susan Davis, the, uh, less fortunate mother in the 1992 to 1997 run of Mara Clara. She was also a crowd-fave as Esther Magtira, a mayordoma, in the 2018 series Kadenang Ginto.
While she's got quite the rep for playing these type of roles, Africa boasts one heck of a track record. She won best supporting actress for her role in Chito Rono's Olongapo, the Great American Dream in the 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival. Africa was also a part of auteur Lav Diaz' acclaimed 2016 work Hele sa Hiwagang Hagpis.
She was married to the late Spanky Manikan, a fellow actor and theater stalwart, who was also a partner in the world of performing arts. Together they have three children.