Kapamilya’s new ‘rom-com darling’

MANILA, Philippines - Angeline Quinto is no longer just the voice of teleserye theme songs now that she’s finally getting a TV series of her own.

The 23-year-old former singing champ stars as the female lead Aurora in Kahit Konting Pagtingin, described in the media release as a “highly-spirited and hardworking lass who will do everything for the sake of her loved ones.” By a strange (and funny!) twist of fate, she finds herself in the company of two brothers played by Sam Milby and Paulo Avelino.

“It’s hard to explain how I feel about it. The blessings have been continuous. Last year, I had a movie with Coco Martin. Then now, I have a chance to act together with Sam and Paulo. I’m very, very grateful,” Angeline answered in Filipino in a presscon last week.

According to Kahit Konting Pagtingin headwriter Reggie Amigo (who was also part of the creative team behind last year’s top-rating Walang Hanggan), the concept of the “kilig-serye” came first, then they adjusted the characters to fit the personalities of the main cast. 

Angeline is obviously being groomed as the next “rom-com darling” of the Kapamilya network. Since past rom-com projects, whether on TV or in the movies, were mostly topbilled by Toni Gonzaga and Sarah Geronimo (also recording artists), it’s inevitable that Angeline will be compared to them.

But Angeline hopes to stand apart and endear herself to televiewers by being herself. After all, the former Star Power winner can very well relate to her character’s humble beginnings. 

“Each of us have different styles. In my role here, I can see myself, especially how I started in the business. My role here is a bus conductor. Sa Sampaloc (Manila, where she grew up), nagpa-parking kami ng mga kaibigan ko tuwing Undas (Holy Week). So, you’ll see here how natural my acting is.”

Angeline said she did workshops as preparation for the series, although she’s still adjusting to the taping hours. “Even before, I’ve heard about how it’s more difficult to shoot teleseryes than movies. Because of the series, I’ve experienced how difficult it is, especially the long-taping hours. I’m still adjusting,” Angeline shared, adding cheekily, “At sa dalawang gwapo na kasama ko, ay nagpapaganda po talaga ako (bilang handa). So I can level up to their good looks.” (She said she religiously goes to Dr. Vicki Belo for skin whitening. She has not made any body enhancements, but if she does, she would readily admit it.)

Angeline, who’s single at the moment, has been friends with her co-stars even before Kahit Konting Pagtingin came. She won’t rule out the possibility of growing special feelings for Sam, with whom she’s been close for sometime now. “If it happens, I won’t control it. I won’t be ashamed of it.”

Does she believe that a little attraction can go a long way, as in the storyline of her TV series? “Ako po, naniniwala ako dyan. Sa halos araw-araw na pag-te-taping, baka may ma-develop,” she joked.

Her focus though is work. Asked if anyone from showbiz is courting her or sending feelers, she said, “Nanliligaw? Sa totoo po, di kasi ako ligawin, sa showbiz siguro. May ilan namang nagpaparamdam na non-showbiz, na mga kaibigan ko sa Sampaloc noon (laughs). May konting nagpaparamdam, pero di ko naman iniisip na nanliligaw, kasi ang (focus) natin ngayon ay trabaho lang.”

A lot of things have changed in her life, but there are things that she keeps on doing to stay grounded — like her devotion to the Black Nazarene at Quiapo Church. “Sunday evenings I go there after ASAP, then Monday mornings, I still attend Mass. Yes, I (credit my success) to my devotion,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kahit Konting Pagtingin is a departure for Paulo from intense acting. He made a dramatic mark via his dark, psychotic character Nathan in Walang Hanggan. This shift, however, doesn’t necessarily mean work has become easier.

 â€œI want to be as versatile as possible. If you think that (rom-com) is easier to do, for me, it’s more difficult. Coming off from the very intense Walang Hanggan, it’s not easy to dive into the role (for Kahit) in just a few weeks’ time.”

Paulo said he hopes his new role would change the televiewers’ bad-boy image of him due to his Nathan character.   

As for Sam, he admitted to feeling a little nervous over his new series. It’s been over a year since he last did one (in between, one teleserye got shelved, while the shooting of another one with Judy Ann Santos got temporarily suspended). 

“I think in all my new projects, of course, I feel a little nervous, because I don’t know if it will become successful or not. But I’m happy with this project. It’s very light. This whole year, everything that will happen is a blessing so I’m excited more than anything.”

Meantime, his plans to continue auditioning for US TV projects are put on hold. “I do have plans, but this year, there’s no time. Sobrang busy, so I’ll stay here in Manila.”

Sam added, “I really miss taping for teleseryes. It’s really different. When we started taping this, naninibago ako. I felt a little rusty, something like that. But I’m really enjoying.”

Kahit Konting Pagtingin premieres on Jan. 21 on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold.