MANILA, Philippines – After her brief stint in last year’s Nasaan Ka Mr. Pastillas? segment of It’s Showtime that made her an instant celebrity, Angelica Jane “Angel” Yap (a.k.a. Pastillas Girl) is back in the showbiz scene as a Viva artist.
She recently signed a five-year exclusive contract with Viva Artists Agency.
Prior to Angel’s appearance on the ABS-CBN noontime show, which lasted for roughly a month, she went viral on YouTube after uploading a pastillas-making instructional video which contained hugot lines and some foul language that earned mixed reactions from the public. Angel posted the video as a tirade against her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. The next thing we knew, Angel appeared in It’s Showtime to seek pieces of advice from Vice Ganda in the segment Madam Bertud. She also revealed the reason for uploading the video. The rest, as they say, is history.
Although Angel had not received an offer to be a mainstay of It’s Showtime, she remains indebted to the show that had launched her into the business. “I am forever thankful to Showtime because if not for the show, hindi ako lalong makikilala. The video went viral because of the Internet pero mas dumami yung nakakilala sa akin nung lumabas ako sa TV.”
As Viva artist, Angel admits she has no idea on what projects are being lined up for her. She, however, looks forward to attending workshops to hone her acting, dancing and singing skills.
“Wala pa pong promise kung anong specific role for me,” says Angel who reveals that she has a background in acting and theater as part of her Communication Arts course, but she had to stop due to financial difficulties. “For now, gusto ni Boss Vic (del Rosario) na mag-workshop muna at mas maganda yung may proper training at least kapag pinakita na ako sa mga tao prepared ako and wala silang masasabi.”
Angel is still clueless if she will appear on the shows of ABS-CBN or TV5 (which merged with Viva Communications last year) but she’s open to the idea as long as there’s no conflict at all.
“Aware din po ako na nag-merge yung Viva sa TV5 so as long as hindi po conflict if ever merong shows sa ABS-CBN and TV5 okay lang po. Actually, wala po akong alam sa mga ganung process pero tingin ko naman wala pong magiging problema like si Ate Anne (Curtis) Viva naman siya pero nasa Showtime siya.”
Asked about her dream role and the genre she is comfortable with, she replies, “I’m okay with any role, pero nasubukan ko nang mag rom-com dahil sa search ng Mr. Pastillas, so baka pwede po ako sa ganoon. I’d also like to try the action genre, yung mala-Angelina Jolie.”
When it comes to projects, Angel will not be particular with the roles assigned to her -— be it sexy or daring.
“It’s okay, I’m willing to do a sexy role if ever,” she says. “Kasi lahat naman nagle-level up, I mean, I’m already 21 and I’m at the right age. I trust my Viva family and I’m sure aalagaan naman nila ako. Kung ano lang yung fit sa akin, I think. Kung may plano silang ganun mapapag-usapan naman.”
Angel, meanwhile, says Coco Martin is her dream leading man because she really looks up to him as an actor. “Ang galing niyang umarte ng kahit anong character. Ibang level!” adding however that, “Kung sino yung ipa-partner sa akin okey lang din.”
As for getting bashed online, Angel says she doesn’t let it affect her. Instead, she has learned to deal with the negativity by practicing the art of dedma, which Anne has taught her.
“In bashing, you will not be affected if it’s not true so quiet ka na lang. Dedmahin mo na lang because it will not do you any good.”
Meanwhile, Angel -— whose mom was tragically murdered last November — is positive that justice will soon be served. The suspect reportedly remains at large.
Nonetheless, Angel says that she’s trying to be okay and strong, and is focused on what’s in store for her career this year.