Susan Africa was delighted to see that the memes based on her latest television role made people happy.
Susan expressed this in an interview during the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 on September 30. She was among the first-time attendees of the annual gala.
“Natawa ako sobra kasi sanay naman ako pinagtatawanan…people tend to make fun of me, ginagawan ako ng memes but in a positive way. I don’t take offense to it. I have a funny sense of humor,” the veteran actress said.
“Natutuwa ako na napatawa ko ang maraming tao,” she also said.
Susan Africa says she is nervous and happy to be a part of #ABSCBNBall2023 for the first time. | via @cedrickkbasco
LIVE: https://t.co/DZx8FwfgkH pic.twitter.com/lEIKAVWphS
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 30, 2023
Susan recently trended online following the release of the trailer of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” for the primetime show’s new chapter.
In the seven-minute video, the actress can be seen alighting from her vehicle, looking affluent with jewelry and makeup.
Some Filipinos juxtaposed these scenes with Susan’s past role as the oppressed character who often coughs on screen.
“Hindi na mahirap at hindi na inuubo,” one viewer said of her role in “FPJ’s Ang Batang Quiapo.”
READ: ‘Hindi na mahirap’: Susan Africa gains traction in ‘Batang Quiapo’ new chapter trailer
Susan perceived that this stereotype of her stemmed from her character in “Mara Clara,” which ran from 1992 to 1997.
During the five-year run of the series, she starred as the less unfortunate mother Susan Davis.
Susan, however, pointed out that she has played numerous “donya” characters before.
“Actually, marami naman akong ginampanan before na mayayaman na role pero siguro nakalimutan na nila na yun kasi tumatak sakanila yung role ko sa ‘Mara Clara,’” Susan said.
“Pero marami naman akong ginawa before na mayaman, donya,” she said.
Susan has starred in numerous roles in television and film since the 1980s. She has also worked for both ABS-CBN and GMA Network in her decades-long career.
Aside from “Mara Clara,” Susan is known for her roles in “Gimik: The Reunion” (1999), “Kadenang Ginto” (2018), “The Hows of Us” (2018), “Magnifico” (2001), and “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real” (2014).
Why the first time
Some Filipinos asked why it was her first time to receive an invite despite her repertoire.
“Hala bakit naman ganon first time? Napaka-galing actress nito tapos yung iba invited nila na ano lang,” an X user said.
“Sana ang mga tulad ni Ms. Susan ang ini-invite sa #ABSCBNBall2023. Classy, decent, graceful, respectable…Loyal. Hindi matatawaran ang ambag niya sa network for 30 YEARS!” another Filipino said.
The ABS-CBN Ball, previously known as the Star Magic Ball, is an annual celebration and charity event that gathers Kapamilya artists, including those from other talent management groups, into one star-studded night to benefit the ABS-CBN Foundation. This is the first time the event was held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grand comeback of the ball was themed “Forever Grateful.”
The Star Magic Ball, before it became the ABS-CBN Ball, was an event mainly for the network’s contract stars and artists of its talent management arm.
In line with this, Susan said that she will be “forever grateful” to ABS-CBN for being there for her “through good and bad times.”
“I am forever grateful to ABS-CBN because I’ve been with ABS-CBN from the start of my career and now after decades, I’m still here and they’re still giving me jobs. They have helped me and my family so much through good times and bad times,” she said.