Hero woos Angel

Everyday hero is in love with a “superheroine”. Sounds like a movie plot? I’m actually referring to CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida, who is reportedly seriously wooing actress Angel Locsin. A favorite subject of many “testosterone-fueled” fantasies, Angel first became popular by portraying superheroine roles in GMA 7 fantaseryes, the most memorable of which was “Darna”—the highest-rated show in primetime history.

The news about the Efren-Angel courtship broke out when (the now ABS-CBN talent) Angel was interviewed on “The Buzz” last Sunday. It was followed by Efren’s confirmation on GMA 7’s “24 Oras” last Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Efren, we learned, has been smitten with the 24-year-old Angel since 2004. He apparently harbored this crush through the years, even admitting to praying over it. So, when he finally met Angel on a flight to the US last November—she to the International Emmys and he to the CNN awarding ceremonies—it must have felt like an answered prayer.

Knowing what we know of this actress, who’s also known for her own nonstop charity work, we could safely deduce that Angel reacted towards Efren like a starstruck fan herself, perhaps heaping praises on Efren for his heroic feat just like any proud Pinoy would do. He, after all, rose from poverty and troubled youth to be an award-winning teacher and personal hero to hundreds of underprivileged kids thanks to his innovative pushcart classroom.

Obviously, Efren gleaned enough encouragement from that serendipitous encounter to pursue the lovely Angel.

Efren has already taken the next big step by visiting Angel’s abode and facing her father to express his intentions to court in earnest. Angel, who is said to be still smarting from her breakup with fellow actor Luis Manzano, offered an answer already. And it doesn’t sound like a rebuff to me. Here’s what she said: “Dahil nga magulo ang buhay ko dahil nasa showbiz ako, ayokong ‘yong hope na mabibigay niya sa mga tao maapektuhan dahil sa akin. Sinabi ko sa kanya kung ready na ba siya na harapin ‘yong mga iyon... Gusto ko friendship muna. Kilalanin niya muna ako.”

This story is currently ranked as the most read item this week in the entertainment news portal Pep.ph, spawning follow-ups including an interview with Luis, as expected, and eliciting hundreds of comments.

“Has popularity gone to his head?” one posted. Another wondered if Efren, who never ever had a girlfriend, read into the meaning of that chance encounter more than he was supposed to. Some simply didn’t like how Efren and Angel would look together from what we gathered in the reactions in sulit.com.ph’s online poll: Do you like Efren Peñaflorida for Angel Locsin? It seems that whatever his merits are, they’re simply eclipsed by his lack of movie star appeal. The media babies that we are, overfed with stereotypes, we hanker for superstar-in-the-making Angel to end up, in reel and real life, with the likes of her past boyfriends Oyo Boy Sotto and Manzano, who is reportedly trying to win her back. 

There are also some of us rooting for Efren to go get the girl. “It must be God’s will,” Efren himself said of that chance meeting that started the ball rolling, so to speak, on “24 Oras.” And as the film “V for Vendetta” puts it: there are no coincidences, only the illusion of coincidence. (Team Efren, anyone?)

While this news has the elements of a movie story, I hope, however, that this plays out in privacy. In that way, the guy, who wears his heart on his sleeve, avoids the vicious showbiz trap, wherein this issue can be exploited to generate controversy.

For the pride he has given us last year, let’s all hope for our CNN Hero of the Year (and make that for the rest of us as well) the best in life and in love this year.