Arzen Rose Dulzura

Pen Medina, Susan Africa express their gratitude to Coco Martin as they sign off from “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Avid viewers of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” were arguably shocked when its two well-loved characters, Nita and Marsing, impeccably portrayed by legendary character actors Susan Africa and Pen Medina, were brutally killed in the December 12 episode, which marked the end of their journeys in the series after almost three years of being part of it. </p><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ok_uKn8uhBk?si=EuN98_Z9Znt-Skas" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>It can be recalled that the couple were murdered by the henchmen of the Guerreros led by Jason (Paolo Paraiso), following their intense altercation with Jackie (Angel Aquino) and Miguelito (Jake Cuenca), which prompted them to expose the corrupt practices of the affluent political family. </p><p>And before they completely bade farewell to ardent fans of “Batang Quiapo”, Pen and Susan were given the chance to express their gratitude and share their fondest memories and most memorable scenes via this exclusive interview uploaded by CCM Film Productions across its social media platforms.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSMfPICAWwU/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2020402.300000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The veteran actors began by sharing their most unforgettable scenes throughout the almost three years that they’d been part of the hit primetime series. For Susan, those were the grand 18th birthday celebration of their unica hija Mokang (Lovi Poe), the hospital sequences of the Dimaculangan family as Marcing fought for his life, and the sudden evolution of Nita and Marcing to “don” and “doña”.  </p><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YlumI9uRl8?si=fHCR_YfIxh8ri3yt" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Meanwhile, for Pen, those were the heartbreaking death scene of Nita and Marsing, which for him was seamlessly executed, and their last scenes with Tanggol (Coco Martin), wherein they were able to discuss their past rifts and make amends. </p><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sA3dJkTJFgc?si=Xx2q3yp7Ks3K_9lU" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>With regard to what they’d learned from the show and their roles, Pen said that it made him realize how important it is for us to speak up about any grievances we have against the government and the politicians who are supposed to serve us instead of waiting for other people to do it for us. Besides, we should take courage in getting involved in discourses and movements related to societal and political matters, especially now that a lot of issues have been exposed. </p><p>Susan, on the other hand, focused on the excessive materialism of their characters, which had eventually taken a toll on them. She reminded everyone not to emulate them since there are definitely more important things in life than material stuff.  </p><p>They may have to already leave the show, but the two veteran actors still had nothing but gratitude for Coco and everyone they got to work with in CCM Film Productions. Pen expressed, “Maraming, maraming salamat sa buong produksyon ng ‘Batang Quiapo’! Napakasaya, napakamaasikaso nila. Lalahatin ko eh, wala akong mapipili. Kakaiba ‘tong grupo na ‘to. [Isang] ‘Pamilya’ sabi nga ni Coco.” </p><p>This was seconded by Susan, saying, “Maraming, maraming salamat sa alaga, sa pagmamahal, sa pag-aasikaso ng each and every one of the production. Wala po akong masasabing hindi nag-asikaso sa amin kaya mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat. Maraming, maraming salamat!” </p><p>Of course, both of them also had special messages for Coco, with Pen thanking him for not only providing him with a job but also helping his family pay his hospital bills when he got hospitalized and underwent surgery after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease (DDD), which incapacitated him from sitting down and standing up. Thus, this has made Coco one of the most important people in his life since then. </p><p>Susan was also thankful for being given the opportunity to be part of the highly successful primetime teleserye. She imparted how doing “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” over the past three years has made Marsing and Nita a huge part of her, as well as how she hoped that everyone was satisfied and happy with how they delivered their roles.  </p><p>They also went on to thank those who have been watching and supporting the show since Day 1, as well as ask everyone to keep doing so because the action, drama, and confrontations are definitely far from over. </p><p>Aside from their interview, off-cam clips of some of their scenes were also shown in the video, including the very last one they shot, wherein everybody on the set cheered since that take was indeed a good way to end the two screen legends’ “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” journeys. The staff and crew also presented Susan and Pen with their farewell cakes, which got both of them really emotional. </p><p>Don’t miss an episode of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,” weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, <a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).  </p>

<p>As they sign off from “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” following the unforeseen deaths of their well-loved characters Marcing and Nita, screen legends Pen Medina and Susan Africa reminisce on their fondest memories and most memorable scenes.</p>

As they sign off from “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” following the unforeseen deaths of their well-loved characters Marcing and Nita, screen legends Pen Medina and Susan Africa reminisce on their fondest memories and most memorable scenes.