For love of family

Angeline Quinto has only been in the business for four years but she has already achieved so much, not just in terms of her career, but also in her life off-cam.

Angeline considers being able to build her dream house as one of her biggest achievements (aside from singing for Pope Francis during his recent visit to Manila). Before she became a singer and won in Star Power, she and her Mama Bob were living in a small, two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Sampaloc. They didn’t have too many possessions, much less a car, but now, she is able to travel (although a lot of it is for work), provide for her family and buy things for herself without having to depend on anyone else.

She considers all of these a blessing. “Fourth year ko pa lang sa showbiz pero parang ang bilis-bilis ng panahon, so kahit ako minsan nagugulat na pang-apat na taon ko na,” she says. “At saka kapag naiisip ko ‘yung first year ko sa showbiz sobrang thankful ako kasi nagkakaroon pa rin ako ng mga trabaho hanggang ngayon.”

One of the things Angeline has learned is to focus on what’s important. There will always be critics and bashers — people who aren’t happy with something that she’s done or a performance that she gave. She tries to speak up when she feels it’s necessary; otherwise, she wisely keeps her silence.

She encountered people like these during her earliest days in Star Power when they were pitting her against the other girls. “Honestly, kahit ngayon naman may mga ganu’n pa rin eh. Hindi naman talaga agad-agad mawawala ‘yung mga ganu’ng issues. So ako, sinasagot ko lang naman ‘yung alam kong totoo. Ayoko kasi ng paliguy-ligoy pa, na mag-pre-pretend ako na hindi totoo ‘yung mga issues sa akin. Kung ano lang ‘yung totoo, ‘yun lang din ang sinasabi ko.”

For Angeline, the whole purpose of her being in showbiz is not just to fulfill her own dreams (which she has) but also to make sure that her family, particularly her beloved Mama Bob, is taken care of, especially in terms of their health. Everything she does is for her and for them.

“Lalo na kay Mama Bob, kahit sino naman siguro, lalo’t magulang natin,” she says. “Parang ito ‘yung time na nakabawi din ako sa lahat ng mga sakripisyo niya sa akin dahil simula’t sapul, kaming dalawa lang talaga. At saka siya lang talaga ang nagpalaki sa akin.”

Accomplishing all of these makes Angeline feel really good. The fact that she is rumored to be in love — with fellow singer Erik Santos — just adds the right bit of inspiration and makes her look forward to work each day.

She’s grateful for all the opportunities that she’s been given. “I told myself that there’s nothing impossible with God. I didn’t expect them even in my dreams. Actually, I always say that if you have a dream, you just have to work on it. Kumbaga, embrace your dreams para mas maganda isusukli Niya sa iyo.”

With all the blessings she has received, Angeline isn’t thinking right now of settling down or getting married, even if she is very vocal and open about her feelings for Erik. The two have openly been posting photos of them and their sweet moments (and their gifts to each other) on Instagram.

Asked whether she has thought about marriage, Angeline exclaims, “Ay hindi naman po, hinayaan ko muna si Yeng (Constantino) na mauna, ayaw ko po munang sumabay kay Yeng!” she laughs. “It’s still far from my mind. I’m focused on my family and career. But I’m so excited with the many projects that are coming in. Meron po kasing inaayos din para sa amin ni Erik na concert sa Araneta, sana matuloy. I’m really praying for it because it’s one of my and Erik’s dreams.”

Erik is everything she dreamed of — he’s her hero, her friend, and was her shoulder to cry on when a previous relationship ended. But now, she faces only happy days with a smile and a bright outlook.