Veteran actor Pen Medina on painting: “’Yun ang una kong pag-ibig na hindi binayaran.”

Having worked with the Philippines’ most legendary directors like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon, seasoned actor Pen Medina is in a league of his own. It seems that even his sons are following in his footsteps. 

Still active in showbiz after several decades, Mr. Pen Medina is currently part of the cast of GMA Afternoon Prime series, Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig?

He described his role in the series concisely and said, “Tatay ako ni Heart, at ako ang dahilan kung bakit binenta niya ang kanyang pag-ibig.”

Of all the roles he has done across the span of his fruitful career, which ones does he consider to be the most memorable?

“Siyempre ‘yung sa Virgin Forest dahil daring at naka-bahag ako doon. Siyempre, ‘yung Himala, dahil ‘yun ang unang pelikula ko na Ishmael Bernal, no less, ang direktor. ‘Yung mga pelikula nina Peque Gallaga, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, tapos ‘yung isang kay Mike de Leon. Of course, Sister Stella L. is memorable, and Ora Pronobis, na obra ni Lino Brocka,” answered the acting great.

It seems that he has passed on the acting torch to his sons, who are all creating a name for themselves as actors. First among the Medina bunch to enter the industry was Ping Medina, who has appeared in numerous independent films including Transit, the Philippines’ official entry to the Oscars. He also currently appears in GMA Telebabad series, Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko and hosts Philippine Book of Records on GMA News TV.

Then there’s Alex, whom the legendary actor was all praises for. He exclaimed, “Alex! Actually ‘nung una, ayaw niya eh. Puro mga thesis at short films lang siya dati. Katuwaan lang. Pero ngayon, nagustuhan na niya, at kaya naman niya, kaya ang ganda ng reception sa kanya. Recently, pumunta ako sa Amsterdam, at ‘yung mga Pilipino doon, siya ang hinahanap. Kausap ko nga si Direk Maryo J [de los Reyes], na nagagalingan sa kanya.”

His eldest son, Karl made his acting debut via the film, The Guerilla is a Poet. He shared,“Si Karl, nagulat ako doon na biglang ginawang artista. Walang hilig sa pag-aartista, biglang may ginawang indie. Hindi man lang winorkshop o ano, so pagbalik niya pagkatapos niyang magshoot ng ilang scenes, sabi ko sa kanya, humingi siya ng re-shoot kahit sa close-up lang. After nun, mas may confidence na siya.”

As of this writing, Karl Medina has won Best Actor for his performance in the film, just like his brother, Alex, who also won Best Actor for his performance in his first full-length film. Their youngest brother, Victor currently stars in the film, Hello, World.

Ever proud of his sons’ talents, Mr. Medina went on to share about his other talent- painting.

“Nagpipinta ako. ‘Yun ang una kong pag-ibig na hindi binayaran. So ngayon gagawa muna ng studies. Pencil muna, graphite, then charcoal, tapos gagawa ako ng oil painting. Sana matuloy na kasi nakaschedule ng November,” he shared.

He added, “Lahat ng anak ko nagmana. Sana biglang one day, magustuhan nila ulit, kasi nung maliliit pa sila, lagi silang nagdradrawing, ang gagaling.”

Besides painting, Mr. Pen Medina bonds with his sons through simple get-togethers.

“Paminsan minsan, pumapasyal. Kagaya nung isang linggo, nag-organize si Ping ng barbecue tapos ininvite lahat ng magkakapatid. Kakagaling ko lang sa shoot, so parang salubong na rin sa akin. Tapos si Ping, lumipat sa Katipunan malapit sa lugar ko, so kita-kita, kalokohan, biruian, lalo na si Alex, pinakamagulo ‘yun,” he exclaimed.

Catch more of Pen Medina in Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig? on GMA Afternoon Prime. -Text by Samantha Portillo, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com