Face of Allure: Jennilee Angara
MANILA, Philippines - There’s a certain glow in her eyes when she talks about her hometown Baler, a paradisiacal place that oozes with history. After all, 25-year-old Jennilee Scott Angara belongs to the famous Angara clan of the province of Aurora. “Baler is known for its beaches, waterfalls and caves. It has also become a popular destination for surfers and adventurers,” she says. “Aside from that, the people of Baler are very friendly, God-fearing and peace-loving.”
Jennilee is the eldest daughter of former Baler Mayor Joselito Angara and his wife Jennifer, an entrepreneur, and a niece of Sen. Edgardo Angara. The 5’8”-tall Eurasian shares the important lessons her parents taught her: her dad told her that she should never be controlled by yesterday’s failures while her mom taught her to follow her heart and do whatever will make her happy. “I feel sad when people expect a lot from me because of my name. I don’t want to be given special attention just because I’m related to a certain politician. It makes me uncomfortable being treated as a VIP,” says Jennilee, who also looks up to her aunt, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara Castillo, as her role model “because she teaches me how to be a Good Samaritan.”
As a child, Jennilee dreamt of becoming a lawyer. She is currently taking up Business Management at the University of the East and plans to pursue Law after. “I want to become a lawyer because I want to help innocent people and poor people who don’t have money to afford the services of a lawyer,” she says.
“We should not judge a person based on his physical appearance because a person’s character is more important,” philosophizes Jennilee, who is also into baking. “I am fond of eating sweet food like cakes, chocolates and other pastries.”
Since the summer season is officially on, the pretty lass is once again excited to temporarily break away from the hustle and bustle of city life by escaping to Baler. Before the interview ends, Jennilee smiles and offers the team a weekend to enjoy the sun, sea and sand of Baler. The members of the team smile back. An invitation to a place with such history and beauty is one that we couldn’t say no to. — Jerni May H. Camposano
