Metro At 30: This Is What Angelica Panganiban Wants You To Know About Self-Love

Angelica Panganiban’s captivating beauty complements her carefree attitude, a quality she exudes whether on- or off-cam. She has this gift of gab, easily charming anyone with her funny antics and banters. With the advent of social media, where everyone is welcome to establish their identity and build their own brand, authenticity has become a buzzword. It is, however, a word that has long been associated with this talented actress even back when the term isn’t yet as relevant as it is today. She is as real as can be. She speaks her mind. Her sincere words echo the contents of her heart. Angelica is genuine through and through, and that’s why people love her.

From her Ang TV and G-Mik days, Angelica has definitely come a long way. More than two decades since she first appeared on-screen, she is still around and remains as one of the most brilliant and sought-after actresses in local showbiz today. Her longevity in the business can perhaps be credited to a combination of three things: her undeniable talent and knack for entertaining the Filipino audience, her relentless passion for her craft, and the meaningful relationships she has established with her colleagues.

Rising above challenges

Angelica, who recently celebrated her birthday, is fresh from a Europe trip. Squeezing in some much-needed vacation before her schedule gets packed again is a smart choice. She is, after all, going to be extremely busy back home, what with several projects in the works.

Angelica shares, “I have Banana Sundae. And may season two ang Call Me Tita.” She also co-produced the Hueniverse Music Festival with her friends John Prats, Camille Prats, Isabel Oli, and Sam Milby; it took place last September at Filinvest City Events Grounds.

Today, her movie Unbreakable with Bea Alonzo and Richard Gutierrez also opens in cinemas nationwide. The characters of Angelica and Bea are best friends whose friendship was put to test because Richard’s character entered the picture.

Despite the many years that she has been in showbiz, Angelica’s face still lights up at the prospect of new projects, new roles, and new collaborations. A woman who can be considered synonymous to fun, she is delighted by even the littlest accomplishments and recognition that come her way. But while she enjoys her work, the intrigues that are enmeshed in the equation have made her showbiz life quite a challenge. “S’yempre, ‘yung mga challenging talaga is ‘yung mga ginagawang stories, mine-makeup na stories ng mga tao about you,” she confesses. “Kumbaga, kahit ano’ng gusto mong gawin para ayusin ‘yung situation, may mga tao na talagang nand’yan to pull you down para hindi mo marating ‘yung mga goals mo sa life. ‘Yun ‘yung mga simple challenges na mahirap, mas mabigat siya kaysa sa acting itself.”

Surrounding oneself with real, positive people is something she can’t stress enough. “Kapag may nakilala kang totoong tao dito sa industriya, kailangan talaga ayusin mo ‘yung relationship with them kasi sobrang hirap makahanap ng taong walang inggit na nararamdaman sa katawan and talagang magiging masaya lang for you,” she says.

In the midst of it all, it’s always good to have someone to look up to, to inspire you to keep going. Personally, she shares, her role model is actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo. “Makikita mo naman na trinabaho niya kung nasaan siya ngayon,” she explains. “Kumbaga, ang sarap kasi na binibigyan ka na lang ng respeto ng mga tao kahit hindi mo naman ‘yun hinihingi. For me, that’s very admirable.”

'Yung mga challenging talaga is 'yung mga ginagawang stories, mine-makeup na stories ng mga tao about you... 'Yun 'yung mga simple challenges na mahirap, mas mabigat siya kaysa sa acting itself

Self-love and self-appreciation

In her rise to fame, Angelica points out that she’s not out to please anyone. “Tapos na akong magpa-impress sa mga tao sa trabaho ko,” she declares. “Siguro, parang na-reach ko na rin ‘yung part na hindi ko na kailangang i-please ‘yung mga people around me. Siguro mas more ako du’n sa naka-focus na lang ako sa sarili ko.”

Her health, both physical and mental, is now her top priority. Angelica shares her health and wellness practices, saying, “I workout. S’yempre as much as possible, aware ako sa kinakain ko. As much as possible, hindi ako kumakain ng mga meat pero mahirap siya so discipline talaga. Nagta-try din akong mag-yoga, nagba-badminton ako. Hindi ko gustong maging payat—gusto kong maging healthy, gusto kong humaba ‘yung buhay ko kaya mas nai-involve ako ngayon sa activities na pinagpapawisan ako.”

Her ultimate fitness inspiration, she reveals, is her good friend Anne Curtis. “My god, kapag nakikita ko si Anne kung paano siya mag-workout, grabe ‘yung disiplina na talagang every morning,” she says in awe. “Alam naman natin kung gaano siya ka-busy ‘di ba? Everyday siyang nasa Showtime, gumagawa siya ng pelikula, may endorsements siya, may asawa siya, pero hindi niya nakakalimutang mag-workout. Grabe, parang paano nangyari ‘yun? And hardcore workouts ‘yung ginagawa niya, so siguro pati sa sipag ganyan din s’ya.”

But when it comes to the topic of self-love, Angelica tops the list of women to admire. Her no-nonsense take on self-love makes for a great reminder to everyone. “As long as in-accept mo na ‘yung sarili mo, siguro magfo-follow na du’n ‘yung love and ‘yung self-care at self-worth,” says the actress. “Pinaka-importante lang naman is i-accept mo lahat ng flaws, na wala namang mali sa’yo, ganyan ka lang talaga. Siguro kung may kailangan kang gawin, ‘yun eh ‘yung i-adjust lang ‘yung mga hindi magagandang katangian mo.”

Tapos na akong magpa-impress sa mga tao sa trabaho ko... Siguro mas more ako du’n sa naka-focus na lang ako sa sarili ko

The present and the future

2019 has so far been a year when she’s “well-rested and well-traveled.” “'Yung highlight is mas nakapag-travel talaga ako this year nang mas marami. Parang almost every other week, nakakaalis ako kahit out of town lang. Nakakapag-Siargao. Ilang beses ko nabisita ‘yung family ko sa States. Nakapag-New York ako—I mean, punong-puno ‘yung soul ko kalahati palang ng taon,” she continues, adding that she looks forward to more trips and breathers for the rest of the year. “S’yempre, parang mas naging hungry ka na dahil sa kung ano ‘yung mga na-experience mo. Parang ano pa ba ‘yung p’wede kong ma-experience to feed my soul dahil ang sarap-sarap niya sa pakiramdam?”

Angelica, lastly, expressed hope for what’s in store for her in the future. “Sana hindi na ako single. Sana kaya ko nang magmahal ulit,” she says. “Sana kaya ko nang magtiwala ulit sa darating na future.” By the time she reaches the future she once hoped for and dreamed of, Angelica will make sure she is reminded of the past that paved the way for the future to become her present. For now, as a note to self, she would like to tell the 33-year-old Angelica: “Kung ano man ang dumating, lagi kang mag-look back sa kung saan ka nanggaling and tingnan mo kung gaano na kalayo ang narating mo.”

Ano pa ba ‘yung p’wede kong ma-experience to feed my soul dahil ang sarap-sarap niya sa pakiramdam?

Produced by Kat Cruz-Villanueva, Ceia Ylagan, and Judy Arias

Photography by Gee

Video by Chapters by Mayad

Sittings editors: Geolette Esguerra, Grace Libero-Cruz, and Kate Paras-Santiago

Styling: Eldzs Mejia

Makeup by Pong Niu

Hairstyling by Mark Rosales

Production design by Kathy Sy King of Event Styles

Styling Assistants: Carl Alberto, Gabby Gamboa, Nix Bueno, Aubrey Cazzandra

Shot on location at City of Dreams Manila

Special thanks to Charisse Chuidian and Romina Gervacio of City of Dreams Manila; C&L Decor, Shop Rent Gala, 4thWall, and 18th Floristry