Susan Africa (born August 20, 1959) is a veteran Filipino film, television and theatre actress.
Susan Africa (born August 20, 1959) is a veteran Filipino film, television and theatre actress.
Recognised as a legend in the Philippine cinema, Africa won "Best Supporting Actress" at the 13th Metro Manila Film Festival for her performance in 'Olongapo, The Great American Dream'.[2] In 2016, she attended the 66th Berlin International Film Festival as part of the acclaimed 'Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis' where it won Alfred Bauer Prize.[3] Superstar Meryl Streep was so impressed and complimented Africa for her exceptional performance in the film saying: "There you are! How wonderful to see you in person".[4]
Africa studied Fine Arts and Advertising where she graduated cum laude at the University of Santo Thomas.[5] She is an associate director of Alumni Relations at Asian Institute of Management (AIM). She is also an Associate Editor of AIM's alumni leadership magazine. Before AIM, she was Ballet Philippines’ Corporate Development Director for 16 years.[6]
Career
Beginnings
Africa studied Fine Arts and Advertising where she graduated cum laude at the University of Santo Tomas.[7] She became involved in acting after joining an actors' workshop at the behest of her aunt Odette Marquez,[7] a movie producer,[7] who thought that it would help Africa overcome her shyness.[7] As a young actress, Africa's mentors were Joel Lamangan and Soxie Topacio.[7] She started in the theater in a production of General Goyo (1979) for Bulwagang Gantimpala (now Gantimpala Theater Foundation). Her other plays for Gantimpala include Kanser, Bien Aligtad, Biyaheng Timog, Bongbong at Kris. She has also acted for Teatro Pilipino (“The Importance of Being Ernest”, “Regina Ramos”), Dramatis Personae (“Antigone”) and Dulaang UP (“Juna Luna”) and has been directed by Rolando S. Tinio, Tony Espejo, Joel Lamangan, Anton Juan and Nonon Padilla.
Film and television
She received the Best Supporting Actress at the 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival for her role as Charlie in Olongapo, The Great American Dream.[7] She is also well known for her five-year role as Susan Davis in the long-running teleserye Mara Clara.[7] In 2005, she transferred to rival station, GMA Network, to play a supporting role on Now and Forever: Mukha and took a television break the following year but came back in 2007 through ABS-CBN's Palimos ng Pag-ibig. Africa later did TV5 and Kapamilya shows intermittently in 2011. During 2013, she returned to GMA-7 after Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala and was seen doing Kapuso teleseryes including Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko and Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real. Africa came back to ABS-CBN in late 2014.
Work off camera
Africa worked with Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as Corporate Development Manager/Director from 1986 to 2000, and with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) as Alumni Relations Program Manager/Associate Director from 2000 to 2014.
This 1980 Bb Pilipinas-Universe 1st Runner-up had her 1st one-woman show at Gallery 139, SM Megamall in 2001.
Personal life
Africa is the widow of actor Spanky Manikan.[8] She first met Manikan while acting opposite him in a production of Benjamin Pascual's General Goyo directed by Lamangan in 1979.[7] The couple have three children together: Eli, Miguel, and Mika.[7]
Filmography
Television
Year Title Role Network
1984 Sesame! Ate Sylvia RPN
1992 Mara Clara Susan Davis ABS-CBN
1999 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Gloria
Tabing Ilog Esperanza 'Esper' Magtibay
2001 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Christina Tiongson
2003 It Might Be You Margaret
2004 Krystala Aleta
2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Leonor GMA Network
2007 Sineserye Presents: Palimos ng Pag-Ibig Tesang ABS-CBN
Walang Kapalit Elaine Santillian
2008 Lobo Savannah Blancaflor
Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony Eden
2009 May Bukas Pa Isay Valera
2010 Rubi Pachang
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: You're Mine, Only Mine Theresa
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Alyna Adela Dela Cruz-Del Carmen
2011 Green Rose Linda Reyes-Delgado
Babaeng Hampaslupa Epiphania 'Epang' Mallari TV5
Rod Santiago's The Sisters Carlota Zialcita
Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig Aida ABS-CBN
2012 Angelito: Batang Ama Carmen Santos
2013 Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala Demetria Panaligan
Wansapanataym: Baby Ko Ang Daddy Ko Loring
Juan Dela Cruz Debbie
Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko Alicia Salazar GMA Network
2014 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real Salome 'Umeng' Salazar
2015 Wansapanataym: Wish Upon A Lusis Minerva ABS-CBN
All of Me Maria 'Lola Aya' Sebastian
2015-16 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano[9] Lorena
2016 The Story of Us Aurora Sandoval
2017 My Dear Heart Cathy Filomena
The Promise of Forever Janet Trinidad / Helen Reyes
2018–2020 Kadenang Ginto Esther Magtira
2022 The Broken Marriage Vow Marina Ilustre Kapamilya Channel
Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Kakanin" and "Ring Light" Criselda Lopez-Cabantog
2023 Dirty Linen Pilar Onore
FPJ's Batang Quiapo Nonita "Nita" Dimaculangan
Film
Year Title Role
1984 Teenage Marriage Lynn
1985 Hinugot Sa Langit Mitchie
1987 Olongapo, The Great American Dream Charlie
1990 Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina? J
