The Different Faces Of Angel Aquino

From the start, the interview was everything but ordinary. On this rainy Tuesday, Angel Aquino wanted comfort food. Comfort meant a brunch of steaming hot coffee and eggs at a unique coffee shop she recently discovered and then featured on her ANC show Us Girls. The style maven sets the tone of the conversation by candidly declaring that she was about to "ill-manneredly" dunk sweet bread into her saucer of soft-boiled eggs.

"I’m a closet rebel," she disproves common first impressions. "Back in my college days, I was the ra-ra-ra type. So, non-conformist talaga ako. I’ve always considered myself half in and half out of the industry. I just go to the set and do my part and I leave right away. I don’t mingle. Ganun talaga ako. I don’t know my colleagues well."

As a newcomer, no one could figure her out. Angel fed into the imagination of Manileños who romanticized her entry into modeling. The truth was that the pretty morena wasn’t exactly an innocent Baguio lass. At 20, by the time she returned to Manila (her original home before moving to the City of Pines to study at UP), she was already a wife and mother. None of that, of course, was kept a secret.  

In 1996, Angel starred in Butch Perez’s Mumbaki. She thought that would be her first and last movie. But she enjoyed it so much that when Jeffrey Jeturian (then her manager) encouraged her to audition for the international film Goodbye America. Landing that role sealed the deal for her. Angel realized acting was more than just a passing fancy.

"I never imagined I would become a big star. First of all, I was a wife and mother when I started out. I also made sure I was not associated with any love team. In fact, I followed Jeffrey’s advice not to pretend I was searching for a romantic partner since I was already married. This is, of course, the easiest way to get noticed," says Angel. "You always pray meaning or purpose in your life. Little by little, I’m starting to realize that maybe this is my social responsibility. That’s why I make it a point that the movies I make are worth my time and other people’s time. Kasi naman, what for? It was never about the money. To me, what was most important was that I made films that people learn from."

Unavoidably, she found herself being offered martyr roles which called for a lot of crying. This, she guesses, is thanks to a face people consider pretty but sad. It only took two short years, however, for her to be given the role of a lifetime.

Sana Pag-Ibig Na cast Angel as the sympathetic mistress of Chinggoy Alonzo and the rival of veteran actress Nida Blanca. "I didn’t realize it when I was doing the movie that it would mark a milestone in my career. I was focused on the fact that I wanted to be in Jeffrey’s directorial debut and star opposite screen legend Nida Blanca!" Angel gushes, sounding like a movie fan.

The role earned the admiration of viewers and critics who recognized that she was indeed more than just a pretty face. This was soon followed by other movie roles including her hysterical performance as Richard Gomez’s possessive wife in Minsan, Minahal Kita–her first movie with Sharon Cuneta in 2000. But it was for her portrayal of Ninang Carmen (the incestuous obsession of Jomari Yllana’s character) in Laro Sa Baga that same year that won her the Star Awards Best Supporting Actress trophy.

"But I really have a hard time when I act," she argues in her trademark sweet voice that suddenly sounds high pitched. "It’s not easy playing a role and being someone else. And thinking their thoughts and speaking their words. It’s not your own personality eh. It’s hard especially when I do dramatic roles for TV soaps or Maalaala Mo Kaya. I’d kill myself to cry. Believe me, para akong nanganganak. I’m a very internal person. I keep things bottled in. I can never shout at anyone. Even in my movies, I’m told to re-do angry scenes because I always fall short of my directors’ expectations. So we keep re-taking until I’m finally able to push myself. Those are very liberating experiences for me."

Still reeling from her Cinemalaya win as Best Actress for Donsol, Angel admits she didn’t expect to win an award for her performance as a breast cancer survivor. She had seen the screening of Mudraks, another entry, and was convinced Rio Locsin would get the judges’ approval.

Industry insiders, however, felt the award was truly Angel’s for the taking. Her new manager Ricky Gallardo boasts that even director Mario O’Hara was so captivated by her acting that he called her performance "luminous." Shyly, Angel admits that she was most honored by the unexpected text message of Johnny Delgado whose wife, director Laurice Guillen, watched the film four times.  "Aside from the award, his words were the best commendation I received," Angel admits.  "He’s a veteran actor who knows what real acting is about. I still have his message on my cell phone. His message reads: ‘With or without an award, I took my hat off after I saw the film. Keep at it no matter what anyone says. Your style is refreshing and absorbing. You make me proud. Mabuhay ka.’"

The award has great value especially since the Cinemalaya Film Festival, only on its second year, is lauded for its staunch support of independent filmmakers. The event is also credited for raising interest in digital films especially after the critical and commercial success of last year’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros here and abroad.

Even before winning the award, Donsol marked a turning point in Angel’s career. Last February, there were whispers that her long-running magazine show F on ANC was going to be cancelled after seven years. She was convinced the time was right for her to find a new manager–someone who could help secure her future as an actress, host and commercial model. The fiercely independent Angel felt her friend Ricky was the ideal candidate. And, when she reluctantly asked if he believed her career could last a few more years, he answered in the affirmative with a first project in mind.

Donsol was filmmaker Adolfo B. Alix Jr.’s directorial debut. The role of Teresa, a breast cancer survivor, demanded a lot of physical sacrifices including wearing a binder around her chest. "There were times when I felt my skin was being ripped apart. But it was a role I really wanted to play since it didn’t call for a lot of bravura in acting. It was a quiet role which appealed to me," Angel insists. "I prepared for it. I attended a meeting of a support group for cancer survivors. Instead of making me feel depressed, the role changed my life. I felt so empowered. More than Daniel (the lead actor played by Sid Lucero), I was the one who fell more in love with Teresa."

International audiences will soon get to watch Donsol when it competes in the Asian Marine International Film Festival in Japan this month. Though it doesn’t ignore Third World realities, it offers a more visually-appealing look at the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Angel has been busy with various film projects. Still to be shown are Dante Mendoza’s Kaleldo (with Johnny Delgado, Cherrie Pie Picache and Juliana Palermo),  Philipp Espina’s Siquijor: Mystic Island (with Yul Servo, Ian Veneracion and Assunta da Rossi) and Eddie Romero’s untitled independent movie. Her next movie will be a film by Lav Diaz where she plays a leper.

As a free spirit, Angel has no exclusive contracts with any TV network or film company. This allows her to accept small roles in independent films. Through the years, she has become a popular choice for struggling students making their first films. The same is true for digital filmmakers who cannot afford much more than token fees for lead stars.

"There was a year when I didn’t do a single movie. I was really praying for projects because I really love acting. But I never thought I would feel that way about acting," she stresses. "For a time, I got sick of waiting for the right roles to come along. It’s always the small companies that hire you to do challenging roles. After a while, I came to terms with that. Now I’ve proven to myself that it’s really not in the quantity of films you do but in the quality. It’s not whether you play lead or a cameo role. It’s in how you play it. I only accept projects I really believe in so I willingly make sacrifices. Actually, I enjoy working with young filmmakers. I like their energy. It’s so fresh. They’re so passionate. That’s what keeps the work going–our combined passion for filmmaking."

Filmmaking is not the only thing keeping her busy. Angel is seen regularly on the top-rating GMA series Captain Barbell where she is cast as the mother of lead star Richard Gutierrez. This keeps her within reach of the masa who don’t seem intimidated by her high-end print endorsements (The Spa and Jewelmer). In fact, her different personas (lifestyle host, commercial actress and artist) are not in conflict.

ANC viewers know that F was soon replaced by Us Girls which casts Angel along with co-hosts Cheska Garcia and Iya Villania. Aired every Sunday evening, the show has the same feel as its recently-departed predecessor minus the two original hosts.

Consoled by the fact that F ended its run with loyal viewers and advertisers, Angel was faced with a dilemma when ANC offered her Us Girls with a different set of co-hosts. She shares: "It was one heart-wrenching decision for me. As a single mother, I was torn between keeping a job and staying true to my friends. I couldn’t afford to say no to the offer. But I talked to Daphne first because, for the whole seven years, we were the faces of F. I needed assurance from her that it was ok. She told me: ‘Go ahead. Do what you have to do.’ That somehow gave me the needed push."

Thankfully, Angel was spared harsh headlines over the sensitive issue. She even managed to keep her private life private. A few weeks before the interview, Angel and her non-showbiz boyfriend quietly ended their seven-year relationship. While celebrity heartaches are often feasted upon by the press, hers did not even cause a ripple.

"Why? Because I’m very straight-forward. I give straight answers when I’m asked. I don’t put palabok. So the press doesn’t find me interesting. I say everything matter-of-factly. I don’t edit what I say. When I was new in showbiz, I used to talk about my life with my former husband. But later, I decided I didn’t have to discuss my private life with people who probably don’t give a damn anyway. I don’t think the press likes me because I’m boring," she says, not the least bit offended.

Everyone knows her first marriage has been annulled. Though some assumed she would eventually marry her former boyfriend, Angel felt that neither she nor her two daughters were ready to create a new family again.

In 2002, Angel’s ex-husband returned from the States after being away for several years. This was something she had a hard time adjusting to, especially when he asked for time with their kids. Says the devoted mother: "I admit I felt jealous. After all, he was away for a long time and then he suddenly appears and demands things. Eventually, I realized it was not good for my daughters to be deprived of their father. Now, my eldest says she can’t imagine us together. But, in the beginning, she did hope that we would reconcile. I guess she eventually saw that we were really better off as friends."

Admittedly, the un-couple still get teased by friends and family members. Though he leaves the actual parenting of their daughters (a 13-year old and an 11-year old) to Angel, he has ingratiated himself again to those closest to Angel–even joining the family on their vacation to Boracay.

"He was even there when she cut her hair for Donsol," divulges Ricky who swears her ex is good looking enough to star in movies.

But Angel quickly clarifies: "My co-parent is my Nanay. We make decisions together. We also discipline my kids together. Medyo ako yung cushion pag medyo nagagalit na si Nanay. I don’t get angry. When they do something wrong, I talk to them. My Nanay naman is the type who shouts. At least, they know that there are different reactions to a situation unlike if I were truly a single parent. They would only get to know my style of parenting. My daughters and I are like sisters. We giggle a lot together. I like teasing them. They’re the same with me. A few weeks after my breakup, they started pointing out cute guys to me. I’m thankful I have daughters and not sons. It’s so difficult to raise good men. In this society, how can a mother be sure her sons will treat women well? Of course, my fear is for my daughters to meet men who will treat them badly. But I’m more worried about drugs. If you make mistakes with your relationships, it’s so easy to recover with the help of your friends and family. Pero pag drugs it’s so hard and so costly. It can also cost you your life. As a mother, that’s my biggest fear–drugs."

Meanwhile, she doesn’t mind being cast as the mother of someone as old as Richard Gutierrez in the hit television series Captain barbell. Angel has accepted that local showbiz is age conscious. Displaying none of the vanity often expected of a commercial model, she insists: "There are actresses who quit before they get old. They prefer being seen on film in their youth. But to me, I see nothing wrong with growing old in films. At least, your life is documented."

Someday, when her kids are grown, she imagines working behind the camera as a cinematographer. That dream seems unreachable for now as she struggles to find time for parenting. She explains: "This line of work is really demanding. It’s not like working for a bank or having a desk job with a schedule that allows your kids to expect you home at certain hours. In my case, I can’t blame my kids from feeling as if they aren’t getting enough time with me. There are days when I come home and they’re either asleep or out of the house already. So babawi ka on the days when you have more time. It’s hard to balance my time. There are also friends who want to spend time with me. But my daughters muna, di ba?"

On her days off, Angel prioritizes her role as mother. Thankfully, there are occasions when her work allows her to bring them along. The most memorable moment she shared with her eldest was swimming with the whale sharks in Donsol last March. Says Angel breathlessly: "Until now, she speaks of that experience to her friends. I’m glad my work allowed her to have that kind of experience–to be that close to God."