"Naninibago ako at natatakot ako kasi it's such a tall order," says Angel Aquino of her role as the kontrabida Vera in ABS-CBN's Magkaribal. Topbilled by Gretchen Barretto and Bea Alonzo, Magkaribal will air starting tonight, June 28, on Primetime Bida. This TV show touted by the Kapamilya Network as its first fashionserye willshowcase how glamorous Philippine fashion is: whether it comes from reknowned fashion designers or from the busy markets of Divisoria.
This project marks the first time that Angel portrays a kontrabida for television.
"I've played a bitch in a movie," recalls Angel. "Hindi naman siya [Vera] evil but she's bad to everyone and makes it hard for everyone. This is the first time from scene 1 until the end, I'm not sure, you see me screaming on the top of my lungs. I will make life difficult for Ms. Gretchen and Bea.
"I play the wife of Mark Gil, who is the father of Gretchen and Bea. I take him away from them and dun na nag-start ang conflict between my party and theirs. I'm their stepmother...the wicked stepmother," she explains.
How was it like shooting confrontation scenes with La Greta? "I'm enjoying it, I can tell that she's playing the part. Alam namin that we're in character and somehow we're acting together and we're also watching each other...watching her nuances, watching how she will execute it, and how you will respond to that. Maganda yung dynamics ng mga characters dito," says Angel with a smile.
DAUNTING TASK. In the past, Angel has mostly portrayed female characters that are not known for being aggressive. Did she find it hard to make the transition for this fashionserye?
"It's a daunting task, definitely. Especially since yung mga past kontrabidas tulad nina Agot Isidro, Chin-Chin Gutierrez and Cherie Gil, di ba, they've made a name because of the characters that they portrayed."
The model/TV host said she somehow feels the need to be at par with past kontrabidas who made their mark in their own TV shows. "Feeling ko, kailangan mapantayan ko 'yon somehow pero right now ang pinaka goal ko lang is to really portray Vera the best that I can. Give her justice and bring out the real Vera. Fame as can happen after. But hindi yun ang main goal ko. Ang main goal ko is to be really bad to that woman [pointing to Gretchen]."
ON HER BOYFRIEND LUI VILLARUZ. Angel mentioned that even though she and her boyfriend Lui Villaruz have been a couple for more than three years, they have no immediate plans of tying the knot.
"We're planning for the future and talking about the future," admits Angel. "All these things we're doing, him establishing himself as a businessman and me doing these things...we're also saving up money for a future together.
"Every now and then we talk about it [marriage] but we don't dwell on it. We don't want so much pressure on ourselves so for now, gusto namin mag-ipon so we can have a secure future together."
Has he proposed to her already? "Naku! My gosh! May mga sinasabi siya na 'Pag nagpakasal na tayo...' but hindi pa siya yung he fell down on his knees with a ring. I'm not expecting that anytime soon."
Aside from taping for Magkaribal, Angel is currently one of the hosts of the Studio 23 show Us Girls. She mentioned that they recently went to Japan for the said lifestyle show. Angel also recently shot a commercial in Bangkok and it will come out this August.
(CLICK HERE to listen to Angel Aquino's podcast)