Angelika dela Cruz

Angelika dela Cruz, who plays a good sister to the social climber Iza Calzado in GMA-7’s afternoon soap “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit,” is inspired to become a better actress by her six-month-old son, Gabby.

“Sa tingin ko naman mas malalim ka kasi parang may bago ka na namang chapter na idinagdag (sa buhay mo at) makakatulong s’ya (sa pag-arte),” she said referring to the ways motherhood has influenced her career.

Angelika added that stardom, which for a time was within her reach as a lead star of several hit soap operas, is no longer her goal.

“Basta may work ako na maganda ang role, happy na ako. As much as I love my job, this is not my priority; my family is,” she pointed out.

Family for Angelika is her husband Orion Cesario and their son Gabby. The couple tied the knot by civil rites on Aug. 18, 2008, and are now preparing for their Dec. 4 church wedding.

“Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit” is her first project after giving birth by Caesarean section to Gabby last March 20.

“Dapat mas maaga pa,” she said, referring to her return to work. “(Ang) alam ko, dapat part ako ng ‘Darna’ kaya lang hindi ako p’wedeng mag-harness (to enable her to fly onscreen) kasi Caesarean nga ako. ‘Di ba bawal ‘yun?

“At saka first baby ko so s’yempre you don’t want to miss anything. Kung p’wede nga lang buong araw akong nakanganga sa kanya. Actually ginagawa ko ‘yun – watch while he’s sleeping. Naloloka na ako sa kanya.”

Angelika is enjoying motherhood so much that she felt uncomfortable during her first few taping days for “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit,” which premiered on Sept. 28.

“Nanganganay ako,” she recalled. “Six months akong nagbi-breastfeed. Ngayon lang ako nagmi-mix (breast milk and formula) kasi nagtatrabaho ako. Kung hindi ako nagta-trabaho, derecho ako sa pagbi-breastfeed. Sobrang hands-on ako (as a mom).”

Though breastfeeding helps her lose some postpartum weight, she said she’d have to get into an exercise regimen so she can go back to her former svelte figure.

“You have to make time for it (working on a desired fitness),” said the working mom. “Magpapabili ako ng treadmill para habang natutulog ang anak ko, nagte-treadmill ako. Para-paraan lang ‘yan.”

“Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit” is also Angelika’s return to playing good characters after taking on contravida roles since 2006’s “Bituing Walang Ningning.”

“At least for a change, balik naman ako sa mabait. Maiba naman,” she said, adding that she enjoys having first-time co-workers like lead star Iza. “Gusto ko ‘yung may mga bagong friends.”