Does actress Susan Africa really live up to her social media-dubbed nickname “Star for All Ubo”?
The actress recently addressed the hilarious matter in a video by Kapamilya World Online, quipping that she believes it was a product of the Mandela effect.
“‘Yung sinasabi kong ubo-ubo, ang interpretation ko diyan is it’s a Mandela effect,” she said. “Kasi kung pag-aaralan niyo, hindi naman ako umuubo sa mga roles ko eh. I don’t remember any teleserye na umubo ako, actually.”
Africa recalled that she played a character with a stroke in Mara Clara, but she didn’t remember coughing in the teleserye. She then noted that she was asked to cough during the Vice Ganda-starrer The Mall, the Merrier.“Pero the rest, hindi talaga po ako umuubo every role.”
The actress then jokingly challenged her fans, “Pakitaan niyo ako ng video na umuubo sa teleserye, and I will give P5,000,” she said.
This appeared not to be a joke after all, as Africa announced the winner of her “cough challenge” on July 19.
“Yes, we have a winner! Ms. Sheena Rose Traifalgar, a 3rd year college student in Iloilo was the first to submit a video of a scene from Mara Clara where I was coughing,” Africa wrote, adding that she has forgotten the scene—and several other entries sent by social media users—already.
“I must admit, I do not remember the scenes which our many contestants submitted. I have been blessed with four decades in this industry playing myriad roles, so I cannot remember all the details. But my sincerest thanks to all who joined this cough challenge. I appreciate your efforts in finding scenes from my past works,” she continued.
Africa also conceded that the Mandela effect argument may no longer be accurate, but maintained: “[Though] I may cough occasionally in a few roles in the past, I do not cough in ALL of my teleseryes.”
Africa has starred in TV and film for decades since 1975, including Mara Clara, Magnifico, The Hows of Us, Tabing Ilog, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, The Story of Us, Kadenang Ginto, Dirty Linen, and Blood vs Duty.
Ayie is a self-confessed nerd with a love for all things tech, film, and queer culture. When she’s not writing, she’s watching pop culture explainers on YouTube and spoiling her unusually tall pug.
