Under Angelica’s spell

Let’s see how sharp your memory is. When was the last time Angelica Panganiban played a sweet young thing – on TV or film?

Wrack your brain all you want. It’s hard to remember just when or where Angelica last played a sweet young thing, on TV or film. Even Angelica admits she now feels awkward playing it sweet and coy.

But she’s doing just that in the Home Switch Home episode of ABS-CBN’s Love Spell.

Now, the wild girl of 2004’s Santa Santita has to answer pointed questions on why she has to revert to those light roles she started doing as a newbie. Why return to square one, when you have already moved on to mature roles?

Angelica is not afraid to go back to the good old days, when times were easier and more innocent. And, as in the good old days, Angelica is coy all over again, this time with Jake Cuenca in the new series that kicks off Oct. 22.

Does she want to mislead fans who can’t make heads nor tails about the image Angelica wants to project? Does she want to prove that she still has that old magic with her? The kind that can play nice girl and get away with it?

Turns out Angelica is doing this more for her sanity than anything else.

"It’s a great way to ease tension. It’s an outlet for me," she tells the incredulous.

Playing rich and lonely princess in Love Spell is a walk in the park compared to turning rebellious and wild in Santa Santita. Angelica can go home from taping in seven locations at 8 a.m. and report on time for a lunch presscon the very same day.

And she goes home feeling light and easy, not down and out the way her heavy dramatic scenes make her feel.

That’s how intense Angelica has become when it comes to her career. She gets so caught up in her role Angelica can’t snap out of the mood required of her, even after camera lights have faded away.

"I find myself crying in the van," she admits. And that’s when she gropes for a lifeline: a call to her ever-reliable mom. No, she doesn’t cry on Carlo Aquino’s shoulder anymore. They have broken up. And someone has yet to replace him in Angelica’s heart.

At the rate things are going though, her mom must brace herself for more of those frantic calls from her only daughter, who expects to do more dramatic outings in months to come.

Judging from her future projects, Angelica might as well get a crack at the title "Most Exciting Star of 2007." She is being eyed in an Aga Muhlach-Maricel Soriano film. More immediate is a plan to cast her with John Lloyd Cruz in a Cholo Laurel movie.

The 20-year-old Star Magic talent is getting what she wants from the powers that be. When she mentioned Aga as her choice for a co-star, studio bosses granted Angelica’s wish as if she were a pampered princess.

Well-meaning friends have one piece of advice for Angelica though: Don’t ever make the mistake of sacrificing your promising career in the name of love. Many a talented female star’s career was nipped in the bud because they let their hearts rule over their heads.

Angelica assures them they have nothing to fear. She’s not about to disappoint those who believe in her enough to give her big projects. It’s career first, love second, period.

For instance, made to choose between a taping and a date, Angelica vows she’ll choose the former anytime. True, she loves with all the intensity of a Scorpio (born Nov. 4). But Angelica says she treasures her family too much she won’t let them down by losing her head over love.

"If the guy doesn’t understand, I’m sorry. It shows he doesn’t love me," explains Angelica. And it’s goodbye – no ifs and buts.

As for young swans bent on winning her heart, Angelica has news for you. Marriage will wait until she turns 28, or eight years from now. And that’s a long time, guys.

You will just have to let Angelica reach her dreams first. And those are not just ordinary dreams, mind you.

Angelica wants to be known as a dramatic actress to reckon with. That means fixing an eye on that gleaming acting trophy and standing on that stage delivering her victory speech.

When that day will come is anybody’s guess. But one thing’s sure. Angelica Panganiban will move heaven and earth to turn that dream into a reality. And no one had better stand in her way.