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Remembering Sue Prado: A look back on her notable performance in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>The Philippine entertainment industry is mourning the sudden loss of acclaimed character actress Sue Prado, whose passing last April 14 was sorrowfully announced by her family through a Facebook post. She was 44.</p><p>&quot;Sue brought light in anyone&#x27;s path throughout her life. A life lived for others, for the craft she nourished and for those who she loved the most,&quot; her sister, May Shereen Prado, wrote. &quot;Please celebrate her in any way you know how and honor her memory through kindness.”</p><p>Her demise indeed came as a shock to many, especially for avid Kapamilya viewers who recently saw her in &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo</em></u></strong></a>,&quot; which concluded last March 13. </p><p>As a tribute to one of the country’s seasoned and respected thespians, we revisit in this special feature her brief yet remarkable portrayal of Gina—the gentle and devoted wife of Mark Lapid &#x27;s character Ben—in the long-running primetime action-drama series.</p><p>She made her first-ever appearance in the series in the scene where the group of Tanggol (Coco Martin) arrived at the couple’s humble home to seek Ben’s help.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VhthoGCvKWY" title="Tanggol decides to ask Ben for help | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Upon realizing that her husband knew who their unexpected visitors were, Gina rushed outside to ask Ben who they were. He simply told her that they were his former comrades and strongly dismissed Tanggol&#x27;s plea to allow them to seek temporary refuge in their abode, fearing they would only endanger their lives—recalling the tragic fate of those who had helped them before.</p><p>However, Gina’s compassion prevailed as she urged Ben to help them. Though he eventually agreed, Ben secretly planned to turn them over to the Guerreros, who had was pursuing their group, as he aimed to avenge the death of Supremo.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXvI3oIclRU" title="Ben thinks of a way to take revenge on Tanggol | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Gina warmly welcomed the group by preparing meals and offering them a place to rest. Yet despite her kindness, she couldn’t help but feel increasingly uneasy upon learning that both the Guerreros and the authorities were hunting Tanggol’s group. But Ben reassured her, telling her that they had to take the risk in exchange for the substantial monetary reward promised by the Guerroros to whoever could bring the group of Tanggol to them, which they could use to cover her impending childbirth.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WtUi7mkDuic" title="Ben continues the plan to profit from Tanggol&#x27;s group | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Unfortunately, Ben&#x27;s betrayal backfired at him, as it was he and Gina who were killed when Miguelito (Jake Cuenca), his henchmen, and the police raided their house to finish off Tanggol. Amidst the chaos, Gina was fatally shot as she tried to flee. Ben was prevented by Miguelito’s minions from rescuing her wife. Stricken with regret, Ben attempted to retaliate but was ultimately killed as well.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/22L-pezuc0E" title="Ben and Gina lose their lives amid the clash between Miguelito and Tanggol | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Following her exit from the show, Sue expressed in an exclusive interview her delight at being reunited with several colleagues whom she had not seen or worked with for a very long time, including lead actor-director Coco Martin.</p><p>She also commended Coco for his admirable humility and extended her gratitude to CCM Film Productions for taking care of her and making her experience enjoyable, adding that she would love to work with them again in the future.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F923300410666924%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Prior to “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</em></u></strong></a>,” Sue got cast in other ABS-CBN Studios teleseryes, such as “Pure Love” (2014), “Ricky Lee’s Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” (2015), “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” (2016), “Hanggang Saan” (2017), and “The Iron Heart” (2022). She also showcased her acting chops in the “Kulam” episode of “Ipaglaban Mo” and in the “Bantay Bata” and “600 Pesos” episodes of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Maalaala Mo Kaya</em></u></strong></a>.”</p><p>Born Marissa Sue Prado on May 18, 1981, she began her acting career in 2006 after earning a degree in Theater from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB). Over the past two decades, she became a prominent figure in Philippine New Wave cinema, starring in numerous independent films and earning nominations and awards for her performances.</p>

<p>As we pay tribute to the late award-winning actress Sue Prado, let’s revisit her brief yet notable stint in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” as Gina.</p>

As we pay tribute to the late award-winning actress Sue Prado, let’s revisit her brief yet notable stint in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” as Gina.