Actress Angelika Dela Cruz recalled her experience working on the 2006 TV adaptation of Bituing Walang Ningning with Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo during her live interview with PEP.
The said series was one of ABS-CBN’s highest-rated shows on prime time for most of its run. Angelika played the character of Lavinia who is the singer idol of Sarah (Dorina), who later turned into Sarah’s rival.
On Angelika’s birthday on October 29, 2020, she was interviewed in a PEP Live session where she talked about her experience of leading a series with Sarah. She said that Sarah is a kind person and recalled how the singer was so young back then.
“Mabait si Sarah! At saka bagets na bagets pa siya noong time na iyon, e,” Angelika said.
The actress also mentioned that she and Sarah often teased Mommy Divine, who is Sarah’s strict mother.
“Mabait, mahiyain, ‘tapos lagi namin niloloko!
“Lagi namin niloloko, ‘Oh, Mommy Divine, sasama ko sa gimikan si Sarah!’ ‘Tapos tawa sila nang tawa. Masaya iyong set na iyon!” she said.
Angelika explained that she tries to establish a good relationship with all the people that she works with. She said that she likes meeting new people every time with every project that she does.
“Ako kasi, gusto ko kasi talaga, maganda iyong working relationship ko kasi every show, every time na may bago kang kasama is a chance to know a new person, di ba? Gusto ko iyon, e,” she explained.
When Angelika was asked about her most memorable scene with Sarah in the series, she revealed that it was the concert showdown held at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Alam mo, hanggang ngayon nga, may nagta-tag pa rin sa akin noong sa YouTube, iyong clip na kumakanta kami ni Sarah ng ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.’ Maraming nakakapuna na kahit papaano, may boses ako! So happy ako,” she said.
“Nakakatawa doon iyong kinakanta ko na iyong part ko tapos hindi ko abot tapos nagalit ako kasi hindi ko siya abot sabay walk out. Di ba, ang sama ng tingin, parang kasalanan ba ni Sarah na hindi mo abot eh hindi mo abot,” she added.
She also revealed that the scene was nerve-wracking for her as it was filmed live in front of a real audience.
“Na-tense ako noon, Diyos ko! Kasi iyong kakanta ka lang nang ganoon karaming tao siyempre kakabahan na ako. Biruin mo iyong acting tapos mag-iiyakan kayo tapos live, walang take two, walang take three. Ipinalabas nila on air iyon, live talaga,” she stated.
Angelika Dela Cruz started her career in acting with her drama series with ABS-CBN Mara Clara and Esperanza in 1997 until 1999 respectively. She has also starred in other drama series such as Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin (2001-2003), Habang Kapiling Ka (2003), Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (2003-2004), and Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin (2006).