Angeli Khang and Robb Guinto talk about their ‘firsts’

MANILA, Philippines — Vivamax stars Angeli Khang and Robb Guinto are, for the first time, moving from streaming to the big screen in “Unang Tikim.” Viva Entertainment’s three-year old OTT platform is banking on Angeli and Robb for its first theatrical release, a girls love-themed story.

“Pressure, fear over judgement again, especially that this is the big screen, mainstream naman, then we’re the first,” expressed Angeli when asked how it felt to topbill Vivamax’s foray into cinemas.

Robb added that besides the pressure, they’re feeling grateful for being entrusted with the project.

“Pressure in a way na wow thank you for trusting us, mas mata-trust pa namin yung sarili namin para mabigay namin yung bestest namin,” added Angeli.

The first time Angeli and Robb acted together was in Brillante Mendoza’s Vivamax film “Virgin Forest.” They also tackled their first mainstream project together, via GMA Public Affairs’ recently concluded action drama series “Black Rider.”

They became close in real life, which in turn, posed some challenges for them as they tackled the intense scenes in their first big-screen outing together.

For example, the first scene they shot was them having a “tampuhan” or fight. Robb said, “Ang hirap sa amin nung first scene because we never experienced having a ‘tampuhan.’ We’ve promised each other to always be open to each other and never hold back any sama ng loob. So we ended up laughing while filming.”

Angeli also recalled, “But thankfully, natawid namin yung scene.”

There was also awkwardness in filming the love scenes.

“May awkwardness pa rin,” said Robb. “Nagtatawanan kami kasi with us girls normal sa atin yung magki-kiss sa cheek, yung smack lang…”

Angeli added, “But it’s a different story, yung fini-feel mo tapos dahan-dahan, then you have to stare at each other (laughs).”

Robb continued, “In our love scenes, kapag nagkaka-eye to eye kami, we’d burst out laughing, we can’t help it!”

To get past the tendency to laugh, Angeli said, “That’s why we wouldn’t look each other in the eye, body to body lang. There are scenes, I think that body lang tinitingnan namin sa isa’t isa.”

Robb further shared that because of their laughing fits and awkwardness, “Ang daming takes nung first love scene, like four or five takes. Sorry direk Roman!”

Direk Roman Perez Jr. incidentally is also their first director of their first films, individually, on Vivamax — Robb’s “Siklo” and Angeli’s “Taya.”

Now that we’re on the subject of first times, The STAR also asked Robb and Angeli some of their firsts in an exclusive inerview.

First audition:

Angeli: “My first audition was for a cosplay event. Because I watched anime, I saw an Otaku gathering where people could cosplay. I auditioned for that, and after that, it led me to modeling and now, I’ve also become an artista.

Robb: “For me, it was probably when I joined a famous magazine… Playboy magazine, so that was my first audition. That’s where my career started, and from there, I got into modeling and eventually joined Viva.”

First acting role:

Robb: “It was for my first movie here (Vivamax), ‘Siklo’ directed by direk Roman Perez Jr., same (director for) ‘Unang Tikim.’ That was my very first acting experience. I think, I had a one-month workshop then sinabak agad ako sa movie so it was nerve-wracking because I didn’t know what to do at first and I was afraid of making mistakes since it’s really scary to mess up. Well, it’s okay, but of course, as a first-timer and acting with veterans like Ms. Alma Moreno and Sir Joko Diaz, there was definitely pressure. But at least, direk Roman was there to guide me.”

Angeli: “First acting role was also for ‘Taya,’ also my first movie with direk Roman. Before that, I had acting workshops for two months. I also did a workshop for beginners where I learned things like ‘look at yourself in the mirror…’ Then eventually, I learned there are different methods pala. I had an acting coach who said it should come from the heart. Kasi lagi ko siya tinatanong, okay ba acting ko, sabi niya, okay, basta sa puso mo?”

First big purchase:

Angeli: “Condo but down payment. Until now, I’m still paying with the help of my projects. Also my first car. I also started a food business.”

Robb: “I got myself a house. Ganun din, hulugan but at least, you can really say it’s yours. Actually, construction is still ongoing. I also bought a car. And I was able to save for enough for a small business (vaping business).”

First celebrity crush:

Angeli: “Pag napanood mo ‘to, friends po tayo. But before, I looked up to this person (in terms of talent), his hard work in acting, and when I used used to work with him, parang wow, I thought, I also want to be like this person someday. So naging crush ko siya, si Paolo Gumabao. He’s one of the reasons why I got deep into acting because ang galing nila ni Kuya Timmy (Sid Lucero).”

Robb: “Local wala. Kasi mga gusto ko K-pop. One (celebrity crush) is Captain America Chris Evans, and among the Korean (stars), Hyun Bin.”

First time a co-star flirted with you:

Both: Wala! (Laughter)

First time to be starstruck:

Angeli: “With Susan Africa, just her presence and her acting will draw you in. Inaantay ka niya, so that you can also bring out your side… nagbubuhatan kayo sa scene. No words needed, you can see right away how great she is as an actress.”

Robb: “For me, Alma Moreno. She’s the first veteran actress that I got to work with through ‘Siklo.’ In one scene, I asked her for advice on the best expression or approach to use. She taught me. I thought she was strict at first, but she turned out to be really kind.”

First major challenge in showbiz:

Robb: “There are people who will always put you down. No matter how hard you try for yourself, there will always be people who say, ‘You don’t really belong there, you can’t act, they were just forced to put you in that role.’ That’s the most challenging part for me. That’s the most challenging part for me.

“But wala sa utak ko na para gumanti. Ang ginagawa ko, mas pinapatunayan ko na lang sa kanila na mali yung perception nila. For me, actions speak louder than words.”

Angeli: “I could not let go of my emotions (character) dahil puro drama yung scenes ko and every movie ko puro drama, laging sinasaktan tapos maybe it opened my past trauma na hindi sinasadya kaya nasasama ko siya sa every day life ko (to the point that) ‘di ako marunong makipag-usap, sa friends ko, family.

“I’m thankful that Boss Vic (del Rosario) gave me six months of rest. After that, it was like a restart, back to zero again, nakikipag kilala ulit sa (mga tao) and ready to shoot again.

“During that break, (I spent my time at) church, with my family, went outing with friends, enjoyed food trips, comfort food, and self-care. Because I got depressed. I also had alopecia. And I tried therapy. What I learned from that is, don’t think twice about getting help like therapy or from a psychiatrist. Yun ang pinag-aralan nila so they would know the solution.”