Crispin "Pen" Parungao Medina Sr. (born August 27, 1950, in
Arayat,
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
) is an actor from the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
who started acting in theater plays in his youth.
He eventually played versatile roles on the big screen and in various television shows. He became well-known after getting the role of the villainous Hagorn in the 2005
fantasy television series
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and dra ...
''Encantadia''. He has won the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award during the
33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies, the Best Supporting Actor Award at the
62nd FAMAS Awards
The 62nd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards Night was held at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque on July 13, 2014. KC Concepcion won Best Actress and ER Ejercito won Best Actor. Erik Matti won Best Director for his film ...
, and the Best Actor Award at the
6th Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
He is also the second
KFC
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that specializes in fried chicken. It is the world's second-largest restaurant chain (as measured by sales) after McDonald's, with 2 ...
Filipino
Filipino may refer to:
* Something from or related to the Philippines
** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines.
** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
as well as a model and painter. He is also an activist who joins rallies against those in power as well as participates in anti-vaccination and anti-mask protests amidst the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
.
Personal life
Pen Medina was born to Eliseo Medina Sr. and Trinidad Parungao in Arayat, Pampanga on August 27, 1950.
He graduated high school at Arayat Institute of Pampanga and went to different schools in colleges, which include the
University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas (also known as UST and officially as the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila) is a private, Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded on April 28, 1611, by Spanish friar Miguel ...
,
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Pamantasan ng Malayong Silanganan''), also referred to by its acronym FEU, is a Private university, private non-sectarian Liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Manila, Philippines ...
, and the
University of the East
The University of the East ( fil, Pamantasan ng Silangan), also known as UE, is a leading private university located in Manila, Philippines. Founded in 1946, business tycoon Lucio Tan acquired the university in 1990. UE was once labeled as the ...
.
He usually took up fine arts,
premed
Pre-medical (often referred to as pre-med) is an educational track that undergraduate students in the United States pursue prior to becoming medical students. It involves activities that prepare a student for medical school, such as pre-med cours ...
, and other courses with a
bachelor of arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...
degree but he later dropped out and pursued an acting career.
He is married to Victoria Aquino Chupungco
and he is the father of Karl Medina,
Crispin "Ping" Medina II,
Alex Vincent Medina
Alex Vincent Chupungco Medina (born May 26, 1986) is a Filipino film and television actor. He is known for his roles in various indie films. He portrayed Diego/Joshua in the soap opera '' Ina, Kapatid, Anak''. He is the son of Pen Medina and b ...
,
Japs Medina, Victor Medina,
Zeth Medina and JL Medina. His sons Ping and Alex, whom both had their roots in indie films, are active on local television. His other sons Karl and Victor have followed suit by taking on acting roles in other indie films as well.
Pen also has a son with actress Tess Antonio.
Health
In July 2022, his family announced that he has a
degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a medical condition typically brought on by the normal aging process in which there are anatomic changes and possibly a loss of function of one or more intervertebral discs of the spine. DDD can take place with ...
and has been bedridden in a hospital for several weeks. He has undergone spinal surgery to treat the disease.
Career
Theater
Pen started as a theater actor and appeared in productions by Teatro Kabataan such as ''Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio'' (The Trial of Old Serapio, 1977) and ''Nang Pista sa Aming Bayan'' (During Our Town's Feast, 1978).
He portrayed various characters in the
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines ( fil, Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas, or CCP) is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines.Presidential Decree No. ...
plays, which include ''Andres Bonifacio'' (1980) as
Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto y Dizon (; December 15, 1875 – April 16, 1899) was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution. He was one of the highest-ranking officers in the Philippine Revolution and was one of the highest-ranking officers of the ...
, ''Kanser'' (Cancer) in 1981 as
Kapitan Tiago, and appeared again in 1993 as
Elias
Elias is the Greek equivalent of Elijah ( he, אֵלִיָּהוּ ''ʾĒlīyyāhū''; Syriac: ܐܠܝܐ ''Eliyā''; Arabic: الیاس Ilyās/Elyās), a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BC, mentioned in several holy ...
, ''Gregorio Aglipay'' (1982) as Fr. Brillantes, ''Makinig Kayong Mabuti'' (Listen Carefully, 1986) as Gen. Henry Baltazar, and ''Ginuntuang Bayan'' (
Shūsaku Endō's ''Golden Country'', 1990) as Fr. Ferreira.
He also appeared in stage plays at the
University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines (UP; fil, Pamantasan ng Pilipinas Unibersidad ng Pilipinas) is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500 (UP Charter of 200 ...
such as ''Patay Na si Sizwe Banzi'' (
Athol Fugard's ''
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead
''Sizwe Banzi Is Dead'' (originally produced and published as: ''Sizwe Bansi is Dead'') is a play by Athol Fugard, written collaboratively with two South African actors, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, both of whom appeared in the original pro ...
'', 1986) as Styles, ''Tatalon'' (1987) as the Jeepney Driver; and ''Supremo'' (Supreme Chief, 1991) as
Andres Bonifacio
Andres or Andrés may refer to:
*Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US
*Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
*Andres (name)
*Hurricane Andres
* "Andres" (song), a 1994 song by L7
See also ...
.
He also acted in the
Metropolitan Theater appearing in plays such as ''Gironiere'' (1985) as Alila, and ''El Filibusterismo'' (Subversion, 1991, an adaptation of
Jose Rizal's second novel) as Simoun.
He also portrayed Rizal/
Crisostomo Ibarra in ''Noli Me Tangere'' (Touch Me Not, 1986, an adaptation of Rizal's
first novel
A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...
) at Puerta Real.
Other theaters that he performed for include
Teatro Pilipino,
Tanghalang Pilipino Tanghalang Pilipino (''Philippine Theater'') is the leading exponent of Philippine theater and the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines since its organization in 1987. It has successfully presented hundreds of production ...
, and Bulwagang Gantimpala as well as for independent theater groups or on campus.
Film
It was in the early 1980s when Pen crossed over to films.
In 1982, he starred in his first film, ''
Himala
''Himala'' (English: ''Miracle'') is a 1982 Filipino film directed by Ishmael Bernal and produced by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. It stars Nora Aunor as a young woman living in the province who claims to have seen a Marian appari ...
'', which was headlined by
Nora Aunor
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor (born May 21, 1953), professionally known as Nora Aunor (), is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as Ph ...
.
He subsequently appeared in other Filipino films in the 1980s such as ''Karnal'' (''
Of the Flesh
''Of the Flesh'' ( fil, Karnal) is a 1983 Philippine drama film directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It was adapted and written by Ricky Lee from the legal story "To Take a Life" by Teresa Añover Rodriguez and produced by Benjamin G. Yalung. It set ...
'', 1983), ''Sister Stella L.'' (1984), ''
Scorpio Nights
''Scorpio Nights'' is a 1985 Philippine erotic thriller film directed by Peque Gallaga for Regal Films. It was written by T.E. Pagaspas and Romel Bernardino and screenplay by Rosauro "Uro" dela Cruz. It is about a love affair between a young man an ...
'' (1985), ''
Virgin Forest
''Virgin Forest'' is a 1985 Filipino period film directed by Peque Gallaga. A self-described B-movie, it stars Sarsi Emmanuel, who plays a barrio lass of Chinese ancestry; Miguel Rodriguez, as a Filipino-Spanish illustrado; and, Abel Jurado, wh ...
'' (1985), and ''Unfaithful Wife'' (1986).
He also has several acting credits in foreign films, most notably, the 1988
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
n television film ''
Dangerous Life'',
where he plays Col. Eduardo Doromal, a fictionalized character based on a historical figure during the
People Power Revolution
The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular Demonstration (people), demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a ...
.
In the 1990s, Pen continued his film career starring in historical films and films with social relevance.
He starred in the 1993 film ''
Sakay
Macario Sakay y de León (March 1, 1878 – September 13, 1907) was a Filipino general who took part in the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire and in the Philippine–American War. After the war was declared over by the Un ...
'' as Lucio de Vega,
a historical figure who, together with
Macario Sakay
Macario Sakay y de León (March 1, 1878 – September 13, 1907) was a Filipino general who took part in the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire and in the Philippine–American War. After the war was declared over by the Un ...
, were revolutionaries fighting the Americans, and were later outlawed and hanged in 1907. In the 1998 film
''José Rizal'', he played
Paciano Mercado, the older brother of
Jose Rizal
Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods.
* Jose ben Abin
* Jose ben Akabya
*Jose the Gali ...
.
He also played Jose Rizal in the documentary film entitled ''Jose Rizal: Ang Buhay ng Isang Bayani'' (''Jose Rizal: A Hero’s Life'', 1996), which was produced by
Ateneo de Manila University
, mottoeng = Light in the Lord
, type = Private, research, non-profit, coeducational basic and higher education institution
, established = December 10, 1859
, religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic (Jesuits)
, academic_aff ...
.
The other films in the 1990s that Pen starred in include
''Mumbaki'' (''Shaman'', 1996), ''
Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin'' (''They Call Me Joy'', 1997), and ''
Sa Pusod ng Dagat
''Sa Pusod ng Dagat'' () is a 1998 Filipino film produced and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It stars Jomari Yllana with Chin Chin Gutierrez and Elizabeth Oropesa. The film was critically acclaimed in local and international film festivals.
...
'' (''In the Navel of the Sea'', 1998).
In the
Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Marilou Correa Diaz-Abaya (March 30, 1955 – October 8, 2012) was a Filipina multi-award winning film director. She was conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, she was the founder and pres ...
film
''Muro Ami'' (1999), Pen got his first acting award as he won
Best Supporting Actor given during the
25th Metro Manila Film Festival.
The film tells a story about a cruel captain named Fredo (
Cesar Montano
Cesar Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano (), is a Filipino actor, film producer and film director.
Montano started in show business as a commercial model. 's character) who
employs children for his illegal fishing business.
Pen played Dado, the father of Fredo.
After a year, he became one of the cast of the
Joel Lamangan
Joel Lamangan (born September 21, 1952) is a Filipino film director, television director and actor. His award-winning films includes '' The Flor Contemplacion Story'', ''Sidhi'', '' Deathrow'', ''Hubog'', '' Aishte Imasu 1941'', '' Blue Moon'' an ...
film
''Deathrow'' playing a booty bandit inmate named Gabino. His role earned him another Best Supporting Actor award given by the
Film Academy of the Philippines
Established in 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is the Philippines' official counterpart of the United States' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The FAP was founded through Executive Order 640-A issued by the President o ...
in 2001.
He starred as an ex-convict in another prison-themed film, ''Layang Bilanggo'' (2010), in which he garnered a Best Actor award from the
6th Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
In the 2012 film ''
Kamera Obskura'', Pen got to play the main role of Juan, a character from a lost
silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...
. Pen also co-wrote the script of the film.
Television
After starring in stage plays and films, Pen entered television and appeared in the
political satire
Political satire is satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where Political discourse analysis, political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing ...
television show ''
Sic O'Clock News'' in the late 1980s. He continued to guest in other television programs, which include
''Goin' Bananas'', and ''
Batibot
''Batibot'' is a Philippine television educational show produced by the Philippine Children's Television Foundation (PCTF). It debuted in 1984 as the replacement of ''Sesame'', a co-production of PCTV and the Children's Television Workshop (CTW ...
''.
He is also part of the cast of the television series ''
Villa Quintana
''Villa Quintana'' is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Gil Tejada Jr., it stars Donna Cruz and Keempee de Leon. It premiered on November 6, 1995. The series concluded on January 24, 1997 with ...
'', ''
'',
and ''
Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka
''Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka'' (International Name: My Heart, Take Care / ) is a Philippine primetime drama series made by ABS-CBN. It aired from June 18, 2001 to February 14, 2003. The show starred Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual.
The series re-a ...
''.
In 2005, he starred in the fantasy series ''
Encantadia
''Encantadia'' is a Philippines, Filipino fantasy franchise produced and published by GMA Network. It consists of four television series that have run from 2005 to present and a single film. The first was shown in 2005 carrying the title alone ...
'' as the main villain
Hagorn, which is his most well-known television role. His other television acting credits include ''
Joaquin Bordado
''Joaquin Bordado'' is a 2008 Philippine television drama action series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a Philippine comic book serial by Carlo J. Caparas with the same title. Directed by Mac Alejandre and Argel Joseph, it star ...
'',
''E-Boy'', ''
Be Careful With My Heart
''Be Careful with My Heart'' is a 2012 Philippine television drama series starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. The series aired on ABS-CBN's ''PrimeTanghali'' noontime block and worldwide via The Filipino Channel from July 9, 2012 to Nove ...
'', and ''
Aso ni San Roque
''Aso ni San Roque'' (International title: ''San Roque's Pet'' / ) is a Philippine television drama Fantasy (genre), fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Don Michael Perez, it stars Mona Louise Rey. It premiered on September 10, ...
''.
Activism
Pen is also known as an activist who joined rallies including calling for then
Philippine President
The president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sometimes referred to as ''Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of t ...
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation,
protesting against the
burial
Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objec ...
of former Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...
, and protesting against the meddling of foreign governments, particularly the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
, over Philippine affairs.
He also attended a rally against then-Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte
Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson ...
and urged protesters to love and enlighten supporters of the Duterte administration. Amid the
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines has resulted in, as of , reported cases, resulting in reported deaths, the fifth-highest in Southeast Asia, behind Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The first case in the Philippines was iden ...
, he also joined
anti-vaccination
Vaccine hesitancy is a delay in acceptance, or refusal, of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services and supporting evidence. The term covers refusals to vaccinate, delaying vaccines, accepting vaccines but remaining uncertain abou ...
and
anti-mask protests saying that the
COVID-19 virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the respiratory illness responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The virus previously had a p ...
"can go through any mask" and challenged critics, particularly television personality Kiko Rustia, to a debate. Rustia declined the debate because he is not a doctor and he "support(s) vaccines and the science behind it."
Filmography
Television
Film
Awards
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Medina, Pen
1950 births
Living people
Filipino male comedians
Filipino activists
Kapampangan people
People from Pampanga
Male actors from Pampanga
Filipino male film actors
Filipino male television actors
GMA Network personalities
ABS-CBN personalities
TV5 (Philippine TV network) personalities