Pen Medina. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment
Pen Medina got emotional while speaking about the spine surgery he had last year, revealing Coco Martin as the person who offered him the “biggest help” at the time.
The veteran actor expressed his gratitude to Martin on Tuesday, Feb. 7, during the media conference for the ABS-CBN series adaptation of Fernando Poe Jr.’s “Batang Quiapo.” Aside from Martin and Medina, other cast members present at the event were Lovi Poe, Charo Santos and Christopher de Leon, among others.
“Napakalaki ng pasasalamat ko—naospital ako dahil sa likod ko, naoperahan—dahil napakatindi ng naging tulong sa akin ng ating…,” Medina said with shaking voice as he tried to hold his tears. “Pinakamatinding tumulong po sa akin si Coco.”
(I am very grateful — I was hospitalized and underwent surgery because of my spine — because [Martin] was of big help to me. Coco offered the biggest help at the time.)
“Kaya nung lumabas ako [ng ospital] as early as August, nagpasalamat ako sa kanya. Tinext ko siya para magpasalamat nang personal,” he continued. (So when I was discharged from the hospital as early as August, I thanked him. I texted him to personally thank him.)
Pen then recounted the conversation he had with Martin, revealing that the younger actor was the one who offered Pen his role in the upcoming TV series. Pen’s sons Karl and Ping are also part of the TV series.
“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Tito Pen, kaya mo na ba? Malakas ka na ba? Mag-taping tayo para hindi ka mainip sa bahay,'” Pen stated. “Gano’n lang ka-simple kaya tuwang-tuwa po ako. Napakalaking bagay nito sa akin at sa aking pamilya.”
(He asked me, “Uncle Pen, have you already recovered? Have you regained strength? Let’s have a taping so that you would not get bored in your house.” It was just that simple, that’s why I was so happy. This [role] is very important to me and my family.)
“I love you, Coco—’yun ang sasabihin ko,” he then addressed Martin. “Napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa ‘yo.” (I love you, Coco—that’s what I would like to say. I am indebted to you.)
Pen’s family revealed in July last year that he was hospitalized and had to undergo surgery due to degenerative disc disease. At the time, Pen was bedridden and was undergoing physical therapy.
Later in the same month, the veteran actor underwent a successful spine surgery, but noted then that the medical team in charge of his care still needed to address an accompanying infection.
Meanwhile, “Batang Quiapo” will premiere on Monday, Feb. 13. /ra