Susan Africa (born August 20, 1959) is a Filipino screen and stage actress, writer, painter, beauty queen and former television host with a career spanning four decades. After placing first runner-up at the 1980 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, she pursued a career in showbusiness. A prominent figure in soap operas, she rose to fame in the television series Mara Clara (1992) and is noted for playing impoverished maternal characters. She won Best Supporting Actress at the 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival for her portrayal in Olongapo... The Great American Dream and has been involved in several international productions such as Noriega: God's Favorite (2000), Blood Surf (2000) and Under Heavy Fire (2001).

Africa also served as the host of PTV4's For Art’s Sake (1989) and Sesame (1984). Among her acclaimed performances include Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (2016) which competed at the Berlin International Film Festival and earned praises from Meryl Streep. She served as the Corporate Development Director of Ballet Philippines Foundation for 14 years and associate director of Alumni Relations at Asian Institute of Management (AIM). Her other memorable roles include Manang Esther in Kadenang Ginto (2018) and Nita Dimaculangan in Batang Quiapo (2023).

Career Beginnings Africa studied Fine Arts and Advertising where she graduated cum laude at the University of Santo Tomas. She became involved in acting after joining an actors' workshop at the behest of her aunt Odette Marquez, a film producer, who thought that it would help Africa overcome her shyness. As a young actress, Africa's mentors were Joel Lamangan and Soxie Topacio. 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. She is also well known for her five-year role as Susan Davis in the long-running teleserye Mara Clara. 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.

She was first runner-up in the 1980 Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. In 2001, Africa had her 1st one-woman show at Gallery 139 at the SM Megamall in Pasig City.

Personal life Africa is the widow of actor Spanky Manikan. She first met Manikan while acting opposite him in a production of Benjamin Pascual's General Goyo directed by Lamangan in 1979. The couple had three children together: Eli, Miguel, and Mika.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1980 Nakaw Na Pag-ibig 1983 Hot Property 1984 Teenage Marriage Lynn 1985 Hinugot sa Langit Mitchie 1987 Olongapo... The Great American Dream Charlie 1988 Itanong Mo sa Buwan 1989 Virginia P. 1990 Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? Jackylyn 1992 Nang Gabing Mamulat si Eba 1993 Kailan Dalawa ang Mahal 1994 The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre – Jesus, Save Us! Nag-iisang Bituin 1995 Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig Malou Sa'yo Lamang Mylene Asero Chayong 1996 Mara Clara: The Movie Susan Davis 1997 Selosa DNA Nurse 1999 Gimik: The Reunion Mrs. Lorenzo 2000 Biyaheng Langit Koring Blood Surf Melba Lofranco 2003 Magnifico Pracing Masamang Ugat Mercedes My First Romance Che's mom 2004 Bcuz of U 2006 You Are the One Sally & Charry's Mother Ang Pamana: The Inheritance Celia 2009 Kinatay Socorro Tarot Diana Biyaheng Lupa 2010 Tingala sa Pugad Sayong Dalaw Milagros 2011 Bahay Bata Rose 2016 Singing in Graveyards Myrna A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery Hule 2018 The Hows of Us Leonida 'Tita Lola' Antonio 2019 Sunod Perla The Mall, the Merrier! Aling Mae 2021 Gameboys: The Movie Tita Myra2025Kontrabida AcademyPatience Teacher

Television / Digital Series Year Title Role Notes 1975—1984 Student Canteen Co-host 1984 Sesame! Ate Sylvia 1987–1989 Superstar Co-host 1992 Mara Clara Susan Davis 1999 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Gloria Tabing Ilog Esperanza 'Esper' Magtibay 2000 Noriega: God's Favorite Adela Giroldi Television film 2002 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Christina Tiongson 2003 It Might Be You Margaret 2004 Krystala Aleta 2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Leonor 2006 Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas Adult Mashna Andorra 2007 Sineserye Presents: Palimos ng Pag-Ibig Tesang 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 Rod Santiago's The Sisters Carlota Zialcita Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig Aida 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 2014 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real Salome "Umeng" Salazar 2015 Wansapanataym: Wish Upon a Lusis Minerva All of Me Maria 'Lola Aya' Sebastian 2015–2016 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano 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 Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Kakanin" and "Ring Light" Criselda Lopez-Cabantog 2023–2025 Dirty Linen Pilar Onore FPJ's Batang Quiapo Nonita "Nita" Dimaculangan 2026Blood vs DutyTheresa ReyesTBAMommy Guard

Awards and nominations Award Year Category Work Result Ref. Metro Manila Film Festival 1987 Best Supporting Actress Olongapo... The Great American Dream Young Critics Circle 2010 Best Performance Biyaheng Lupa

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