Avid viewers of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” particularly those from Generation X and older, were in for a nostalgic surprise during the February 12 and 13 episodes as four familiar faces from the 1980s made their appearance—Sarsi Emmanuelle, Coca Nicolas, Myra “Mirinda” Manibog, and Ernie Garcia.
For those unfamiliar with their legacy, the three actresses were members of the iconic “Softdrink Beauties,” a group of popular Philippine bold starlets in the ’80s known for adopting stage names inspired by soda brands. The late legendary actress Pepsi Paloma, who passed away in 1985, was also among their original members. They became prominent figures in the “sexy film” genre and starred in notable films such as the critically acclaimed 1984 releases “Snake Sisters” and “Naked Island.”
In the series, Sarsi, Myra, and Coca portray the three best friends of Aling Myrna, played by Myrna Castillo, while Ernie, whom Myrna got to work with in the 1984 flick “Virgin People,” takes on the role of her husband and the father of Enteng (Jojit Lorenzo), Ernesto. Their characters reunite in a heartfelt scene as they surprise Aling Myrna for her 70th birthday, with Ernesto expressing his desire to reconcile with her and Enteng and finally make their family whole again.
Just as they appear onscreen, the “Softdrink Beauties” share a genuine bond in real life. In a video posted on the official Facebook page of Sarsi, the actresses were seen happily practicing their lines inside their tent, giving fans a glimpse of their enduring friendship beyond the cameras.
At the same time, CCM Film Productions also uploaded across its social media platforms a heartwarming clip of all five stars grooving to “Manila,” a classic hit by legendary OPM band Hotdog. The video also featured throwback photos of the actors during their prime, adding a wave of nostalgia for longtime fans. The comments section quickly filled with netizens reminiscing about their heyday, with many expressing their delight at seeing the former ’80s icons reunited on screen.
The production unit also posted behind the scenes photos of Myrna, Ernie, Sarsi, Coca, and Myra captured on the set of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” giving audiences a glimpse of the camaraderie and fun they share off cam.
Are we going to see more of them in the next episodes? Let’s find out by tuning in to “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, ALLTV2, A2Z, iWant, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).