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Angelica Panganiban at the press conference of Virgin Labfest. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Kapamilya actress Angelica Panganiban is making her debut in theater with the play “Don't Meow for Me Catriona' as part of the Virgin Labfest's 20th year.
Panganiban was with her friend Andoy Ranay when they bumped into some theater friends and she was casually asked if she wanted to act in theater.
"Sabi ko 'sure!' Chinarot-charot ko lang sila, ‘di ko naman akalain na seryoso pala," she said.
After receiving the material, Panganiban couldn't get it out of her head. She went all in.
"Ever since talaga, may interest ako talaga (sa theater,) may mga nagtatanong-tanong naman noon. B but apparently schedule at lakas ng loob, wala pa ako noon,” she said.
The award-winning TV and movie actress said after taking a long break from showbiz, she doubted herself if she still has the acting chops.
"Nung in-offer nila sa akin ‘yung script nila, ‘Direk,’ sabi ko, ‘lumundag ako, hinayaan kong lamunin ako nung takot ko, nung doubts ko sa sarili ko and patunayan ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko talaga," she recalled.
Panganiban had to do some adjustments. She had nerves, cold feet, she was stiff, she was throwing up backstage during rehearsals.
But all of it was worth it and she's excited for her friends, families and colleagues to see her work of art. In fact, her play's opening and closing schedules were already sold out.
Her co-actor in the play Pewee O'Hara was all praises for Panganiban. This is a reunion project for the two who last worked in “Santa Santita.”
VLF XX: Hinog will run from June 11-29 at the Tanghalan Ignacio Gimenez of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.