One might expect celebrities to be active on social media 24/7. It’s widely perceived, if not outright believed, that social media helps celebs maintain their visibility, relevance and engagement with fans. They leverage their social media presence to promote projects, endorsements and personal brand, among other things.
That’s why it’s puzzling to many of her followers, even the showbiz press, why Angel Locsin has been M.I.A. or missing in action on her online platforms for over a year now.
During the pandemic, the Kapamilya star was one of the most active and outspoken figures on social media. As an activist, she frequently utilized her platforms to generate awareness for advocacies and causes. She wasn’t spared from online criticism and controversies, largely stemming from her strong stance on socio-political matters. But the actress also didn’t shy away from addressing issues on her social media.
However, her last post on Instagram, where she has 9.3 million followers and which has since been set to private, was in August 2022. Her YouTube channel, which offered a fun and intimate look into her marriage with businessman and film producer Neil Arce, last uploaded a video in August 2022 as well.
Speculations about her sudden and unexplained “disconnection” from the online world range from pregnancy, being abroad to marital issues, health-related reasons, and so on. But it appears now that she simply wanted a more peaceful life.
According to her close friend Dimples Romana, Angel may have withdrawn from the public eye, but she hasn’t disappeared from life altogether. She further shared that Angel is happier minus the constant social media activity. She’s enjoying married life with husband Neil.
Dimples got asked for updates on Angel upon briefly mentioning the latter as one of her showbiz friends who expressed support for the launch of her own skincare brand, Dreamcake.
Asked by The STAR if the former Darna star was aware that people have been “looking for her,” Dimples replied, “She’s very much aware, haha. And she’s very much happier you’re all looking for her. It’s touching her heart haha. Yun lang. Kasi ang saya ‘di ba? Don’t we all love that? Na parang wala muna akong social media, dito muna ako, ‘di ba ang saya?”
“If I had that luxury, why not? But hindi pwede, mahal ang paglipad ni Ate sa Australia,” she added, referring to her daughter Callie who’s taking up aviation studies abroad.
Dimples, nevertheless, emphasized that Angel’s indefinite soc-med hiatus doesn’t mean she’s not busy.
“Alam niyo, hindi porke’t hindi niyo siya nakikita online… she’s busy. Especially in my life, she is ever-present. In fact, ‘pag tinatanong niyo nga ako, ‘dun ko lang naiisip ay oo nga pala hindi siya nagpapakita sa lahat. But kasi, I’m happy and fortunately able to see her.”
Dimples continued, “I just have to visit her because she is there at home. I will tell you she’s so happy, she’s very light, she’s so giddy when I talk to her, I love the sight of her. If you miss her, please know that she’s doing well, she’s happy living her married life with Neil.”
She indicated that Angel has even reduced phone usage that they connect through in-person visits instead.
“She’s been asking about things that are happening in my life now kasi ‘di siya sumasagot sa phone, by the way. It’s an old school kind of visiting. Yung tipong hindi pa uso yung mga telegrama. Pupunta ka lang sa bahay. Ganun yung relasyon namin ngayon.”
Dimples recalled her recent visit to Angel’s home. “Nakakatawa kasi ‘pag dating ko sa bahay nila… si Gel kasi, kilala niyo sya, ‘pag nagbabanyo ang tagal haha! Alam niyo that of her kasi talagang matagal, talagang hours siya naliligo.
“So kami muna ni Neil, nag-bonding hanggang sa kailangan ko na umalis and sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Mars, ano na, lalabas ka ba or aalis na ako?’ ‘Hindi lalabas na ako.’ Usap lang kami sa pintuan. So she came out and you know, I’m always so happy to see her.
“Because isn’t that a dream of ours when you just stop with social media and live a life that is simple, comfortable and happy, or somewhat detached muna from the world? Sometimes kasi, the way we consume social media gets to us eh. Minsan nga nagkakaroon tayo ng anxiety because we consume so much, we’re unable to control ourselves.
“And I’m so happy with Gel, it came to a point, of course, with the help of Neil, to just detach a little bit. It has done her very, very well.”
While her “comeback” on social media and showbiz in general remains uncertain, Angel is also proving that it’s possible to live without social media.
When asked when Angel might reappear in public or return to the screens, Dimples admitted, “No, I don’t know, and it’s not something that I want to ask of her also because I see that she’s so happy eh.”
“‘Di ba pag-kaibigan ka and you see your friend happy, ba’t ko siya idadamay, halika dito, damay-damay tayo dito, ayoko ‘di ba? Gusto ko nga ako idamay niya dun eh. Gusto ko nga sabihin niya sa akin, ‘Dimples, dito ka muna.’ Hindi niya gagawin yun kasi ang daldal ko. Siempre, ayaw niya ng makulit dun. Gusto niya ako dun in small doses,” she concluded.