Susan Africa didn't dream of becoming an actress when she was growing up.
But when destiny led her to the door of show business, she found her true calling.
In this exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via email exchange, Susan revealed how acting became her life-long passion.
She also gave a peek at her life away from the camera that not many people know of.
Table of Contents
- PERSONAL INFO AND FAMILY BACKGROUND
- SUSAN AFRICA'S EDUCATION
- SUSAN AFRICA AS BEAUTY QUEEN
- SUSAN AFRICA AS AN ACTRESS
- MILESTONES IN HER ACTING CAREER
- SUSAN'S PROFESSION AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT
- FAMILY LIFE
- LESSONS LEARNED
- SUSAN AFRICA'S MOVIES
- SUSAN AFRICA'S TV ROLES
- SUSAN AFRICA'S THEATER ROLES
PERSONAL INFO AND FAMILY BACKGROUND
Susan was born on August 20, 1959 in Quezon City.
Her father Ruben Topacio Africa was an architect, while her mother Evelyn Warsaw "was a very creative and hardworking person who dabbled on many things."
Both her late parents were Filipino, but her mom had Spanish and German blood.
Susan's only brother, Eric W. Africa, works as an astro photographer in the States.
Taking pride in her sibling's accomplishments, Susan even recommended Eric's website skiesbyafrica.com, where snapshots of galaxies and clusters of stars can be seen.
She said, "He has an observatory in his backyard," adding they shared a lot of interests during their growing-up years.
"I had a very simple but creative life surrounded by books and music.
"My brother and I were animal lovers, so we had so many pets growing up—parakeets, pigeons, dogs, cats, chickens, turtles, ducks, even a monkey.
"I dreamt of being a veterinarian and an astronaut in my early years."
Her ever curious nature and desire to keep learning were traits that she got from her family.
She elaborated: "The Africas are a very academic family. My grandfather, the late Francisco M. Africa was the Dean of Arts and Letters at FEU. My aunts were also teachers in the same school.
"Dr. Candido Africa, whom I think is my great grand uncle, was a great microbiologist, and the family believes that Africa Street [in UP campus Diliman] was named after him."
Read: WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Mara Clara 1992 cast
SUSAN AFRICA'S EDUCATION
Describing her sheltered life, she told PEP.ph: "I am convent bred, having studied in St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City from kinder, grade school to high school.
"It was a time when English had to be spoken all the time in school, so I grew up an Englishera."
But as she reached adulthood, Susan learned what it was like to work hard to get to where she wanted to be.
She wrote, "I wanted to take up medicine in U.P. as I dreamt of becoming a doctor.
"But on the day of the UPCAT [University of the Philippines College Admission Test], my registration form disappeared under mysterious circumstances, so I was forced to take my second choice, Fine Arts at UST.
"That time, the family was undergoing financial difficulty so I worked hard to be a scholar.
"Fortunately, I got into the Dean’s List and eventually graduated cum laude in 1981."
Read: Underrated actors and actresses
SUSAN AFRICA AS BEAUTY QUEEN
Did you know Susan was already a beauty queen before she entered show business?
She related, "Never in my wildest dreams did I aspire for a career in acting. I was extremely shy and introverted (even until now).
"But I did dream of becoming a ramp model. And it was during that time that the famous designer, Renee Salud, invited me to join Binibining Pilipinas."
Read: Remember when Janina San Miguel won the Binibining Pilipinas-World title?
What convinced her to join a beauty pageant?
Susan replied, "When I joined Bb. Pilipinas, it was a time when I was having a crisis (my parents having separated at that time).
"It was probably an escape and a personal dare as I challenged myself to see what I could do.
"I challenged myself and joined, and ended up being the first runner-up in 1980."
She added, "A few years after, Renee Salud invited me to join the beauty contest again, but I declined because I was already busy with TV and film commitments at that time."
SUSAN AFRICA AS AN ACTRESS
Her stint in Bb. Pilipinas had strengthened Susan's belief that she could do anything if she'd set her mind on it.
So when her chance to dip her toes into the acting arena came, the 21-year-old Susan ended up wading in.
"After Bb. Pilipinas, my aunt, Ms. Odette Marquez, who is a movie producer (she produced 'Ina ka ng Anak Mo' with Lolita Rodriguez and Nora Aunor, directed by Lino Brocka among many other films) invited me to join an acting workshop in Baguio to encourage me to overcome my shyness.
"My teachers were Joel Lamangan and Soxie Topacio.
"It was that workshop that changed my life, opening up the creative and cerebral possibility that I could hide behind the 'real me' through the characters that I am portraying," Susan recalled.
There were others in the same workshop who would later make a mark in Philippine show business.
Susan named some of them, "My classmates in that three-day workshop included Charo Santos-Concio, Lorli Villaneva, Dessa, and Mae Quesada, Joel Alano, Roi Vinzon, and Miguel Rodriguez (+) among many others."
This finally prompted Susan to get her feet wet at the art and discipline of acting.
She said: "After that workshop, I applied as an apprentice with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) where I learned many invaluable things dealing with production.
"It was there that I met my current friend and manager, Mr. Ed Instrella who still takes care of me and manages my career to this day.
"My first big break in theater was when I played the role of Sisa in Kanser in 1980, based on Jose Rizal’s Noli me Tangere, a production of Buwagang Gantimpala then, now Bulwagang Gantimpala Foundation.
"It was written by Jomar Fleras, directed by Dindo Angeles, and starred Tommy Abuel, Johnny Delgado, and Cora Alfora among many others.
"It was a successful production that was brought to many places in the Philippines.
"Many theater roles for me followed after that, mainly with Bulwagang Gantimpala and Teatro Pilipino."
With her background in theater acting, Susan was good to go when she was offered to do television dramas.
She said, "Alongside ramp modeling, college, and theater, I started guesting in TV anthologies with Argel Joseph as director.
"I became a 'suki' of shows such as Coney Reyes Drama Studio, Regal Shocker, Lovingly Yours Helen, etc.
"My first big break in television though was in 'Kalye Sesame', produced by the Children’s Television Network, the original producers of “Sesame Street,” where I played the regular role of Ate Sylvia.
"Other actors with me then were Junix Inocian (+) and Angie Ferro (+)."
Read: Susan Africa trends online because of these funny memes
MILESTONES IN HER ACTING CAREER
Susan reached a milestone in her career when she did the film, Olangapo, The American Dream, where she won her first award as Best Supporting Actress in the 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival.
The film was directed by Chito Roño.
It was then that Susan started getting kontrabida parts, "Because of my role as a nefarious mama san, I started to get typecast as a wealthy 'matapobre' who was always mean and angry at everybody.
"After 3 years of getting typecast in this kind of role, I thought that I wasn’t becoming a good role model anymore and decided to stop accepting offers if the character that I was to portray was mean and evil.
"Because of this, I was jobless for a year."
But that momentary break from acting led Susan to another milestone in her acting career.
In 1992, she landed the role of Susan Davis in the iconic Kapamilya teleserye Mara Clara, which centered on the story of two babies switched at birth.
Read: Susan Africa trends online because of these funny memes
Susan played as the real mom of Clara (Gladys Reyes), but ended up raising Mara (Judy Ann Santos) because of the evil machinations of Susan's husband Gary (Eruel Tongco).
Read: Judy Ann Santos fondly remembers late Mara Clara co-star Eruel Tongco
Of her role as Susan Davis, Susan wrote: "I embraced it with all my heart since it was so different from the roles I was playing beforehand.
"This series lasted for five years until 1997, after the movie version was produced."
Mara Clara was so successful that it became the benchmark for Philippine soap operas in the '90s.
It launched the showbiz careers of Judy Ann and Gladys, who became known as The Queen of Teleserye and primera kontrabida, respectively.
Susan, for her part, made a convicing depiction of a weak-hearted woman who had no choice but to give up her own daughter to follow the schemes of her husband—a far cry from her real-life persona as an independent and career-oriented woman.
In the continuation of her interview with PEP.ph, Susan listed Mara Clara as one of her top three memorable projects.
"The first would be my role as Charlie, the evil Mamasan in 'Olongapo the Great American Dream' because it gave me my first acting award.
"The second would be my role as Susan Davis in 'Mara Clara,' because it made an impact not only in my career, but the show still resonates in my life until today. I think it was this that made people remember me up to this day as a poor, battered mother.
"The third would be my role in Lav Diaz’s Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis. It was because of this film that I was able to travel to Berlin in 2016, and meet my ultimate goddess, Meryl Streep."
Susan also went viral many times when she played the role of Manang Esther in the hit Kapamilya afternoon series Kadenang Ginto.
She played as the trusted mayordoma in the household of the ruthless Daniela Mondragon, played by Dimples Romana.
Most recently, Susan went viral when she was introduced as one of the latest additions to the cast of Batang Quiapo, the ongoing Kapamilya prime-time series headlined by Coco Martin.
In the teleserye's trailer released on September 8, 2023, Susan was seen wearing a sparkly dress with matching jewelries and full-glam make-up.
The trailer went viral as netizens commented that they were shocked to see Susan playing a rich role for the first time.
"Hindi na mahirap at hindi na inuubo," read one of the top comments about her.
When PEP.ph asked her about her viral trailer for Batang Quiapo, Susan admitted that she had a blast reading the over-the-top reactions to her acting project.
"I am extremely amazed and amused that a split second of me in a rich role would garner such an immense feedback.
"I am overwhelmed and flattered by the nice comments of many supporters.
"Of course, there are many who make fun of me - but as long as I make them laugh or smile, I don’t really mind because I also have a weird sense of humor.
"It’s a temporary distraction that we need in the midst of a problematic, challenging reality."
Susan noted, however, that she wasn't always "inuubo" in her previous roles as a woman with a hard-up life.
"What I don’t really understand is the 'ubo' role. Because frankly speaking, I can only remember 2 guestings where I had to cough!!! (And these were minor roles).
"I do not actually know where the TB and the 'inuubo' came from.
"I would like to challenge people to actually show me 5 videos of 5 separate roles with a coughing role," wrote Susan with a smile emoji.
Read: Susan Africa on funny memes about her: “I don’t take offense.”
SUSAN'S PROFESSION AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT
What not many people know about Susan is that she is a busy woman even off-cam.
According to her linkedinbio, she worked as a corporate development director for Ballet Philippines at the Cultural Center of The Philippines from 1986-2000.
Explaining her work at the time, Susan told PEP.ph: "I’ve also loved to write since my teen years when my Mom gave me a typewriter as a Christmas gift when I was 13 years old.
"It was also my fondness for reading that inspired me to write.
"At the same time, I’ve always loved ballet and classical music and it was my sister-in-law, Cecille Manikan, who invited me to work with Ballet Philippines.
"Since I was already rehearsing for theater at night at the CCP, it was convenient for me to work with BP during the day.
"I was into Corporate Development, which meant I had to write solicitation letters and sponsorship packages and raise funds for the productions and the dancers’ salaries."
Then she joined Asian Institute Management where she took on several roles since 2000 to 2014.
She worked there as program manager, associate editor for Alumni Leadership Magazine, and associate director of alumni relations.
"My multiple responsibilities included event management, being the associate editor of the AIM alumni leadership magazine (editing, proofreading, writing articles about high profile and successful alumni), database and website management, and fund raising.
"Being with outstanding alumni taught me a lot of lessons about leadership, business management and people management.
"It was intellectually motivating to sit in in some classes, and talk with erudite professors who generously shared their wisdom with me."
FAMILY LIFE
Susan is married to the late veteran actor Spanky Manikan, who was known for his many roles in teleseryes such as Lobo, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, and My Love From The Star.
Like Susan, Spanky's acting career was jumpstarted by his background in theater.
His body of work also boasted of roles in Lino Brocka's Maynila Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag and Ishmael Bernal's Broken Marriage and Himala.
Asked about how they met, Susan told PEP.ph. "I first met Spanky in PETA since he was already a senior member when I applied for an apprenticeship.
"At that time, Spanky’s first wife, Wanda, had recently passed away. She was 6 months pregnant when she died.
"Joel Lamangan casted Spanky and me in General Goyo, where he played Gregorio del Pilar and I played Dolores Nable Jose, his muse."
To this day, Susan still remembered how Spanky left a good impression on her on that first project together.
"One day, during rehearsals for the play, Spanky became very upset because he misplaced his Ray Ban.
"I couldn’t understand all the fuss until he said that it was the last gift to him from Wanda.
"It occurred to me that Spanky was a man who could love a woman very well. I developed a crush on him.
"There were many supernatural events that Wanda did that somehow led us to be together. This is of course another story."
What was it like being married to a fellow actor?
Susan answered, "Being married to a fellow actor was convenient for the both of us because we understood the working conditions and encouraged and helped each other when projects came."
Susan and Spanky have three children.
Describing each of her brood, Susan wrote: "Eli is 33 and is an excellent writer. Mika is 28 and is a multimedia artist and is into music. Migo is my youngest at 25 and was recruited by Star Magic in 2021.
"Spanky, in his deathbed, assigned Migo to follow in his footsteps, having watched Migo in a previous PETA workshop showcase."
Spanky passed on in 2018 due to lung cancer.
Read: Character actor Spanky Manikan dies at 75
LESSONS LEARNED
Having spanned a career in showbiz for four decades is no mean feat.
Coupled with her vast experiences both on cam and away from it, Susan shared how she manages to be the best version of herself in every season of her life.
She told PEP.ph it's been all about centering herself on things that truly matter.
Her tips: "Life is short. Don’t thing about the past because it will depress you. Don’t think about the future because it will make you anxious. Just think of today and enjoy the present.
"All difficulties will pass. Have faith. And as Padre Pio always says: Pray, hope and don’t worry.
"Never forget your sense of humor.
"People will forget what you made them think. But people will never forget how you made them feel.
"Simplicity is the best. Do not allow yourself to be enamored by material things.
"My everyday mantra: Be Kind."
Susan africa's movies
(Year - Title - Director - Role
- 2019 Sunod - Carlo Ledesma - Perla
- 2019 The Mall the Merrier - Barry Gonzales - Ate Mae
- 2018 The Future of History (Short) - Marco Biemman - mother
- 2018 The Hows of Us - Cathy Garcia - Molina Leonida "Tita Lola" Silva
- 2016 Singing in Graveyards - Bradley Liew - Myrna
- 2016 Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis - Lav Diaz - Aling Hule
- 2012 Posas - Lawrence Fajardo - nanay
- 2010 Dalaw - Romeo Candido Milagros
- 2009 Biyaheng Lupa - Bing Lao - Woman in black
- 2009 Tarot - Jun Lana - Diana
- 2009 Kinatay - Brilliante Mendoza - Socorro
- 2006 The Inheritance - Romeo Candido - Celia
- 2004 Because of You - Cathy Garcia-Molina - mother of lead
- 2003 My First Love - John D. Lazatin - mother of lead
- 2000 *Going Back - Sidney Furie - Mai Ling
- 1999 *Crocodilus - James Hickox - Melba *Noriega: God’s Favorite Roger Spottiswoode Adela Giroldi
- 1998 *Save the Children - Dick Bennet
Susan Africa's appearances in Dutch TV
- 1995 *Terminal Virus Dan Goldman Jihane
- 1990 *McBain (American) - Colombian Mother
- 1988 Birds of Prey - Gil Portes - Nona
- 1987 Olongapo: The Great American Dream - Chito Roño - Charlie
- 1986 *Saigon Commandos - Clark Henderson - Vietnamese
- *Hamburger Hill - John Irvin - Vietnamese
- 1984 Boatman - Tikoy Aguiluz - Girlfriend
- Hinugot sa Langit - Ishmael Bernal - Mistress
- 1982 Hot Property - Lino Brocka - Wife
Susan Africa's TV roles
- 2023 Batang Quiapo Nita Dimaculangan
- 2022 Dirty Linen Pilar (daily soap opera for ABS-CBN)
- 2021 The Broken Marriage Vow
- 2018-2020 Kadenang Ginto Nana Esther
- 2017 My Dear Heart (TV Series) Cathy
- 1991-2015 Maalaala Mo Kaya (TV Series) Various major support
- 2015 Ang Probinsyano (TV Series) Lorena
- 2010-2015 Wansapanataym (TV Series) Various major support
- 2014 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real (TV Series) Salome Salazar
- 2013 Juan Dela Cruz (TV Series) Debbie (2013)
- 2013 Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala (TV Series) Demetria Panaligan
- 2012 Angelito: Batang ama (TV Series) Carmen Santos
- 2011 Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig (TV Series) Aida
- 2011 The Sisters (TV Series) Carlota Zialcita
- 2011 Green Rose (TV Series) Linda Delgado
- 2011 Babaeng hampaslupa (TV Series) Epiphania 'Epang' Mallari
- 2010-2011 Alyna (TV Series) Adela del Carmen
- 2010 Rubi (TV Series) Pancha
- 2010 You're Mine, Only Mine (TV Series) Mariella Moravilla
- 2009-2010 May Bukas Pa (TV Series) Isay Valera
- 2008 Tiny Tony (TV Series) Nanay Eden
- 2008 Lobo (TV Series) Savannah Blancaflor
- 2007 Walang kapalit (TV Series) Angeli Villavicer
- 2007 SineSerye (TV Series) Tesang
- 2006 Your Song (TV Series) Jeff's Nanay
- 2005 Now and Forever Mother of Lead
- 2004-2005 Krystala Aleta
- 2004 It Might Be You Margaret
- 2002-2003 Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan Nanay
- 1999-2001 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Gloria
- 1999-2002 Tabing Ilog Teacher (weekly soap opera for ABS-CBN)
- 1992-1997 Mara Clara Susan
- 1992 Noli Me Tangere Doray (for the Cultural Center of the Phils)
- 1988-1991 For Art’s Sake Host (weekly cultural program)
- 1985 Mukha Samantha (weekly soap opera)
- 1983-1985 Philippine Sesame Street Project Sylvia
- 1980-Present More than 100 various lead and supporting roles in Filipino drama anthologies.
Susan Africa's theater roles
(Year - Play - Role - Theater Company Director)
- 1994 - Antigone Ismene Dramatis Personae - Anton Juan
- 1991 - Mariang Sinukuan Mariang Sinukuan (Lead) - Gantimpala Foundation Roni Bertubin
- 1986 - Bongbong & Kris Rita - Gaddi Baltazar - Bulwagang Gantimpala - Tony Espejo & (Cultural Center of the Philippines) Spanky Manikan
- 1985 - Bien Aligtad - Salome - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Joel Lamangan
- 1984 - Biyaheng Timog - Cherry - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Felix Padilla
- In Frailty’s Grace Jose Rizal’s Sister - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Joel Lamangan
- 1983 - The Importance of Being Gwendolyn Fairfax - Teatro Pilipino (CCP) Rolando Tinio
- A Hundred Dreams Princess Jasmin (Lead) - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Joel Lamangan
- 1983 - Rebecca Defensor Nancy - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Tony Espejo
- 1982 - Juan Luna - 3 roles - U.P. Tony Mabesa
- 1981 - Regina Ramos - Regina Ramos (Lead) Teatro Pilipino (CCP) Rolando Tinio
- Mando Plaridel - Dolly - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Joel Lamangan
- 1980 - Kanser - Sisa - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Tony Espejo (A total of 68 perforamces at the CCP and Luzon-Outreach Program)
- 1979 - Suddenly One Morning - Prostitute
- General Goyo Dolores Nable Jose - Bulwagang Gantimpala (CCP) Joel Lamangan