The little big star takes a big step

Her co-actors Arnold Reyes and Gerald Madrid say that 16-year-old Angellie Urquico is a big revelation in the indie Ugat Sa Lupa, a National Commission for Culture and the Arts project directed by Ariel Reyes. It was their first time to see the young girl act on film. Angellie is not known to act except for a few roles she played on television. “I am impressed with her. Ang husay husay niya,” gushes Arnold. “I have high hopes for the kid.”

Angellie portrays the daughter of a farming family who lives in an island and who makes a living planting cassava. She and her father, played by Gerald have to fetch water for the plants. 

“We shot Ugat sa Lupa in Batangas for five days. That was my first time to be away from my Mom. When I learned the good news that I was chosen to play one of the lead roles, I was really happy. I prepared for my role. I read the script at sa bahay pa lang I already studied the script. It was a challenging role for me kasi walang dialogue ang movie. I had to use my eyes in expressing all my emotions.”

Like a true professional, Angellie came to the movie set prepared. She was focused, motivated and she delivered. Initially, she thought she would be playing deaf, “kasi walang dialogue,” she laughs. “When I learned na ganoon lang talaga, non-dialogue yong movie, I was challenged and shocked at the same time.”

Angellie did not mind that she had to go through the hardships of doing an indie — less budget and more working hours. “Tuloy tuloy kasi ang shooting namin. Like we stayed in Batangas for five days. Every day we were shooting. I like it though kasi meron continuity yong emotions. Masaya kahit mahirap.”

She also had to be away from her mother for the first time. And at times, she would call her mom and expect her to be present during the shooting. Angellie is the eldest in a brood of five, the youngest being twin boys. “She is young but she has the maturity as an actress. Nagtataka nga ako pero ang husay niya,” says Arnold.

Angellie said she would like to do an indie given another chance. “It’s a good training ground. Para kang nasa workshop. You learn many acting techniques. And you realize ang dami mo palang dapat malaman.”

She is also thankful because she has learned new things from her director and co-actors. “I learned from Tito Ariel how to use my eyes to convey my thoughts. He told me to make a script inside my head and instantly lalabas ang naiisip ko sa aking facial expressions. I am also grateful to Kuya Gerald and Kuya Arnold for their tips.” 

Before acting beckoned, Angellie was into singing. Angellie was the grand champion on ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star Season 2 (2006). She got the nod of the judges with her award-winning rendition of Whitney Houston’s Run to You.

Last December, Angellie showed what it takes to be called a singing champion when she guested in Erik Santos’ free Christmas show at the Marikina Riverbanks. Her rendition of Beyoncé Knowles’ Listen was well-applauded. 

She began to sing at the age of four. Her mother encouraged her to sing and to join singing contests to overcome her shyness. She joined singing competitions like Bulilit Singing Contest (2004), Sing Like a Star (2003), and Batang ETV (2002) where she also became the grand champion.

She considers Sarah Geronimo her idol. “Sarah is not only a good singer but a talented actress, too.” She dreams to work with Gary Valenciano and Bb. Joyce Bernal whom she has worked with on Maalaala Mo Kaya’s Diary.

Despite having a strong mindset to succeed in showbiz, Angellie still studies hard to earn a college degree. She is now a first year college student and a scholar taking up Computer Science at AMA. 

The charming lass says, she is not in a hurry to be very famous. “I just want to take it one step at a time. Iba ang satisfaction kapag pinaghirapan mong makamit ang isang bagay. Ayaw kong biglain ang lahat kasi baka biglang mawala.”

That’s a 16-year-old talking about fame.