Another Medina enters the limelight

Karl Medina (Photo from his Facebook account)

Joining his brothers Ping and Alex in show business is Karl, the youngest son of veteran actor Pen Medina.

Karl plays Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison in Sari and Kiri Dalena’s “The Guerilla Is A Poet,” an entry to the 1st CineFilipino Film Festival.

Pen never encouraged his sons to follow in his footsteps but lets them do what they want. In Karl’s case, Pen said he didn’t even notice his caliber and interest in acting.

“Si Karl, ngayon lang talaga. Walang ano ‘yun sa pag-aartista, walang hilig. Kinuha lang ng kaibigan. Nagulat nga ako, eh. Walang workshop, walang ano, basta sinabak lang,” he said.

Pen does not train his sons in acting though Alex would sometimes seek advice. Their sibling Victor appears in independent and student films. His daughters have no desire to enter the spotlight.

O-pen-ing Act

Pen started in showbiz 31 years ago via the movie “Himala.” He was a painter before joining community theater Teatro Kabataan.

“Ano lang ako no’n, nagdo-drawing-drawing ako, (kumikita lang) ‘pag may order – commissioned painting. Hindi naman ganon kalakas ‘yon, eh kasi hindi naman ako kilala.

“So, sabi ng tatay ko ‘Subukan mo nga ‘to.’ Ang nakalagay, advertisement for theater. Eh, hindi ko naman alam ang theater no’n. Nu’ng napanood ko, sabi ko ‘Parang kaya ko na ‘to,’” Pen said.

His first taste of being of limelight were in declamation contests and plays at school.

“Sa probinsya, nagde-declamation contest kami, eh. Nananalo ako. At Best Actor ako nu’ng grade six bilang Andres Bonifacio. Natural siguro (akong artista),” he said in jest.

Pen Medina (Photo by Michael Joe T. Delizo)

Still At It

Retirement isn’t yet on the cards of the 63-year-old actor.

“Ang gusto ko lang magretire ‘yung puyatan na walang nangyayari. ‘Yung ganon, hintayan…”

He added, “Wala lang, wala lang akong magawa. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sa buhay, kaysa painom-inom…”

Pen is part of GMA-7’s new afternoon series “Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig?” He portrays the role of Andoy, the ailing father of Eloisa (Heart Evangelista). Wanting to send her father to a decent hospital, Eloisa will seek help from Doña Hilaria (Celia Rodriguez), who will eventually push her to marry her son, Bobby (Dominic Rocco).

Helmed by award-winning director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, “Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig?” will air its pilot episode on Sept. 30.

Another Medina enters the limelight

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 19, 2013 at 09:14AM)

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