Angel on working with Marian: ‘Not yet time’

MANILA, Philippines - After years of being pitted against each other by their fans, Angel Locsin finally worked with actress Marian Rivera during a cover shoot for a men’s magazine recently.

The two have often been compared to one another by die-hard fans since Angel left GMA-7 for ABS-CBN. Marian rose to fame after she played Marimar in 2008, a role originally meant for Angel.

Related article: Marian Rivera still a Kapuso; signs 3-yr contract with GMA-7

But while fans may see the photo shoot as a sign of bigger joint project to come for the two stars, Angel believes now isn’t the right time to work with Marian.

“Honestly, kung ano lang, kung para magkaroon lang ng issue yung project, huwag na lang. Kasi sayang naman yung performance namin, o yung galing ng director at ng scriptwriter, kung matatabunan lang ng issue yung pelikula,” she said at the set of the ABS-CBN sitcom “Toda Max” on Tuesday, September 17.

Angel added, “Baka hindi pa siguro naaayon.”

But the “Toda Max” actress stressed that she and Marian have no issues with each other. She described the Kapuso actress as down to earth, “kalog,” and “palaging nakangiti.”

“Kahit anong gawin namin, laging may manglalait sa akin na fan niya, laging may manglalait sa kanya na fan ko. Sana wag na lang po ganun dahil wala namang ginagawa sa aking masama si Marian,” she said.

On working with Phil

Angel spoke to the press to promote the month-long anniversary special of the comedy show “Toda Max,” which also stars Vhong Navarro and Ai Ai delas Alas. The show will celebrate its second year on air this November.

Vhong and Robin Padilla were the lead stars of the show when it premiered in 2011, with Angel joining the cast a few weeks later.  Due to numerous movie commitments, Robin left the show early this year.

“Walang issue sa set, walang awayan or anything. Career choices lang siguro at nirerespeto naman naming lahat kasi mahal namin si kuya Binoy,” she said of Robin’s decision to leave “Toda Max.”

Football player Phil Younghusband, Angel’s boyfriend, appeared on the show last year as a guest star. Would Angel want Phil to appear on “Toda Max” on a more regular basis?

Related article: Phil waiting for the right time to marry Angel

“Well, alam ko kasing ayaw niya. Pero ako kasi, kung may choice, mas maganda rin kung magkaiba kami,” she explained.

Angel added, “Saka, hindi niya kasi mundo ang showbiz. Mundo niya ang football. Doon siya happy, so susuportahan ko siya dun.”

“Pero bilang girlfriend, kung ano trip niya, di ba, go!”

Angel said she thought she’d be married by the time she’s 23. Now 28 years old, the actress said there are a lot of things to consider before settling down.

“Hindi ko talaga alam, e. Pero sa ngayon kasi—basta masaya kami. Pero mahirap din kung may mga priorities—pamilya niya, pamilya ko,” she said.

“Pero ewan ko. 'Pag tinanong naman, hindi ko rin alam ang mangyayari. Basta ako, I love love,” Angel further explained.

“Toda Max” airs Saturday nights on ABS-CBN.