Angelica Panganiban

She started her showbiz career when she was only six years old, when she appeared in Channel 5’s “Love Note.” When she was seven, Angelica Panganiban made her first movie role, in Carlo J. Caparas’ “Antipolo Massacre,” which she wasn’t allowed to watch because of its violent, gory content, she recalled.

Angelica is now 23 years old (she marked her birth anniversary last Nov. 4) and she’s been in the business for 17 years but her career is still flourishing. With her innate acting talent, her angelic face and enviable figure, Angelica has remained one of the country’s most sought-after dramatic actresses today. The blessings just keep pouring for this award-winning actress.

When she starred in “Santa-Santita,” Angelica elevated herself as a mature actress. She proved that there are more to look forward to for her when Angelica did exemplary performances in ABS-CBN’s soap operas “Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2” and “Iisa Pa Lamang.”

Angelica also has proven her comedic side in “Banana Split” where she plays Krissy, and she also landed a lead role as bida-kontrabida in the Philippine adaptation of the popular Mexicanovela “Rubi.” The story is about the main character Rubi who still stop at nothing to achieve financial stability and her dark ambition will direct the twists and turns around the teleserye’s plot. In “Rubi,” Angelica is joined by Diether Ocampo, Shaina Magdayao and Jake Cuenca.

After her portrayal of a betrayed wife in “A Love Story,” Angelica is set to prove more of her acting prowess in Star Cinema’s 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “I Love You Goodbye” where she plays a woman torn between the love of two men, Gabby Concepcion and Derek Ramsay, who is her boyfriend in real life. “I Love You Goodbye” is her reunion movie with Direk Laurice Guillen, who directed her in “Santa-Santita.”

In the movie, Angelica confirms she has sizzling love scenes with both Gabby and Derek, something she did without qualms, she said, since they were integral to the story. “Ang mga love scenes naman, depende sa story at situation,” she said.

Angelica, who is Best Actress nominee for Star Awards TV and Luna Awards Best Actress, is also seen in TV commercials and billboards along the metro as endorser of The Bar, Amira Skin Whitening, TM-Globe Telecorme, Fernslim, Mario D’Boro, Bench Body and Swatch.

At the moment, with all the blessings pouring on her lap, Angelica indeed couldn’t ask for more. But all she hopes for is good health to continue her love for her craft.

And with all the projects lined up for her, there is no doubt that Angelica’s career will continue to sour even higher.

Lucky for having Derek

Many say that Angelica is also very lucky for having Derek Ramsay for a boyfriend. She described him as “napakabait, thoughtful and loving.” They’ve been in a romantic relationship for the past three years (but no, they don’t live in, she said) and Angelica added “we are friends, and we know each other very well. It’s good to really know one another well when you are in a relationship.”

On her part, Angelica said “maalaga ako sa kanya. He may have this macho image, but in real life, Derek is a simple guy with simple needs. Gusto niya mga lutong bahay so I cook for him as much as I can.”

Derek first gifted Angelica with a Mini Cooper. And for a birthday gift, he gave her an orange Hermes bag. They were in Hong Kong, she said, and when he handed her a big Louis Vitton bag “I thought, ay Louis Vitton, but when I opened it, it was an Hermes bag! I really cried, kasi I never expected to have one. Kasi napakamahal ang bag na ito.”

We were told that the bag cost more or less P800,000.

So, when are they planning to get married? “We haven’t thought about that yet,” Angelica smiled. With the many opportunities given them at the moment, it’s really not yet time to settle down, she said.

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GMA exec to attend Asia TV Forum

GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante joins leading broadcasters in Asia as they convene for the annual Asia TV Forum in Singapore from Dec. 2 to 4, 2009.

Galvante has been invited to speak on the topic “Formats in Asia” to share with her fellow industry experts the potential of television formats as it applies to GMA. It can be recalled that the network has successfully produced adaptations of popular foreign drama titles like “Marimar,” “Kim Sam Soon” and “Zorro,” and game shows like “Hole in the Wall” and “Family Feud.” Local komiks classics will also serve as case studies as Galvante presents to her foreign counterparts how the production of “Darna,” “Dyesebel” and “Joaquin Bordado” has contributed to GMA’s stellar standing in primetime.

In the same conference and exhibition, Galvante will also act as judge in the TVA+ Format Superpitch, a competition wherein contestants will get an exclusive access to key business decision makers across the region to pitch their television ideas. The winner of this contest will win cash prize and have the opportunity to exhibit at Asia TV Forum 2010.

The annual Asian TV Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony will cap Galvante’s business trip when she represents the network in this annual event. This year, GMA programs that made it to the shortlist of Asian TV include “Mel and Joey”  and “Survivor,”  as well as comedy genius Michael V. in the performance category. “The Pursuit of Style: A Young Designer’s Special,” a QTV television special, is likewise included in the list of nominees.

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‘Spelling Bee’ returns Dec. 4-13

The musical comedy of the year, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” returns for a limited Holiday Season repeat run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

“Spelling Bee” has already three runs this year, including a run in Singapore’s Victoria Theatre last August. “Spelling Bee” centers around a fictional spelling bee in Putnam County, New York. Six kids in the throes of puberty face off in the battle of their lives. They compete against each other as well as members of the audience. Three adults help adjudicate the proceedings: A nostalgic former spelling bee winner, a mildly insane Vice Principal and the Official Control Counselor completing his community service to the state of New York.

“Spelling Bee” has a Tony Award winning book by Rachel Sheinkin and music and lyrics by Tony Award winner William Finn.

No two “Spelling Bee” shows are ever alike, as “Spelling Bee” will feature “starring roles” each night for two volunteer audience members and two surprise celebrity guest spellers. There will also be a special one night only R-rated run on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. featuring adult sentences guaranteed to make everyone laugh. Celebrities who have made surprise appearances in the past have included Lea Salonga, Eugene Domingo, Jett Pangan, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Cherie Gil, Sen. Chiz Escudero and KC Concepcion.

Atlantis Productions brings back “Spelling Bee’s” stellar cast of theatre veterans Cathy Aranza-Dy, Pheona Baranda, Johan Dela Fuente, Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, Lorenz Martinez, Noel Rayos, Felix Rivera, Joel Trinidad and Shiela Valderama-Martinez.

“Spelling Bee” is directed by Bobby Garcia.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 1 go to Ms. Natalie Palanca, Mrs. Candy Cuazon, Jun-Jun Sarino, Tony Abella, Ruby Salcedo, Pauleen Barreiro, Romeo Mananquil, Pilar Hilario of DoT Region V, Tina Nepomuceno-di Ciccio, PR girl Peachy Guioguio, MB’s Jovan Doria and Eloisa M. Bricia. Happy wedding anniversary to Red and Grace Samar.