STARDOM IS HARD WORK!

These familiar faces show up on our TV screens, movie houses, and thousands of magazine covers. In the pantheon of modern-day gods, they’ve been idolized, immortalized, and become sources of inspiration to thousands of devoted fans.

But celebrity status did not come overnight. A life that sparkles with the glitz and glam was frequently earned by blood, sweat, and tears. Like the non-showbiz career people, the stars have paid their dues and keep on sharpening their skills. That’s how they can burn even brighter.

Once in a while, JobsDB.com will chat up-close and personal with these celebrities. Though not all of us have been bitten by the acting and concert bug, the values and lessons in their success stories are pretty universal and can prove to be inspirational.

Angelika dela Cruz: “I like to keep busy”

Interview by Tinna Bonifacio

She has been working since her early teens. Now in her mid-20s, Angelika dela Cruz (real name: Maria Lourdes Egger dela Cruz) is still making waves in showbusiness, currently as one of the stars of the television remake of Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita, based on an old komiks novel by Gilda Olvidado.

In the course of her career, Angelika has switched networks several times. Last year, she signed up with ABS-CBN for Bituing Walang Ningning. She played Lavinia Arguelles to Sarah Geronimo’s Dorina Pineda and got to deliver that famous line: “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying-hard copycat!” while emptying a glass of wine in Sarah’s face. That memorable TV role (originally done on the big screen by Cherie Gil, no less) was followed by the daytime drama Prinsesa ng Banyera, in which she played the twin sister of Kristine Hermosa. Then in a decision that took showbiz-watchers by surprise, she moved back to GMA-7 to accept the role in Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita.

The move triggered all sorts of speculations, but Angelika initially refused to comment on the issue and kept her silence for as long as she could. “I don’t owe anyone an explanation,” she insisted.

Opinionated, outspoken, and extremely talented—she can sing, dance and act—Angelika talks about why she made the big switch and shares other valuable lessons and insights she’s gained from making a career in show business.

 So—why did you move back to GMA-7? Was it the money?

No, it wasn’t the money, although I must admit that they did offer me more. It was really more about the work. Gusto ko yung feeling na secure akong hindi ako mawawalan ng trabaho, o ng gagawin. Ayoko na nababakante ako. Hinahanap-hanap ko kasi ang pag-arte. Ang tagal ko na sa showbiz at hindi ako sanay na wala akong trabaho. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been working for so long; your work becomes a part of you and you can’t live without it. GMA promised to keep me busy, and I liked that. I hate losing my momentum when I’m working.

 How did you get into show business?

I did a movie, and after that I also recorded an album. I was about 14 or 15 years old, and I was promoting my album when Ma’am Charo [Santos-Concio, now president of ABS-CBN] saw me. Pinatawag niya ako.

 So you started in ABS-CBN?

Yes. ABS-CBN became my training ground. That’s where I did Mara Clara, Esperanza, Okatokat, ‘Sang Linggo nAPO Sila and Star Drama Presents. Sa Esperanza pa lang, halos naka-two years din ako doon. It was like having a workshop on the air. Even when I came back to do Bituing Walang Ningning and Prinsesa ng Banyera, I was proud of my work there. Hanggang ngayon naman, ganoon pa din ang feelings ko towards them. I have so much respect for ABS-CBN and the people that I worked with. I still have friends there.

 But you’re happy with GMA-7 now?

Yes. Balak ko talaga ngayon, magtagal na. Naka-ilang lipat na rin ako. Gusto ko naman, magtagal na sa [bago kong] tahanan. Gusto ko, doon na tumanda.

You’ve worked with both networks. Which one do you prefer?

Ako naman, hindi ako mapili. Mahal ko lang talaga ang ginagawa ko. Kung saan may trabaho, kung saan may projects, doon ako. Kaya nga ako bumalik ng GMA-7, because they promised to keep me busy. Marami silang plans. Ako kasi yung tipo ng tao na di lang ako masyadong masaya kapag kokonti ang ginagawa ko. I like being busy; I like working. That’s what it’s all about.

 What are some of the insights you’ve learned from working in showbiz?

Well, siguro ang pinaka-importante, never burn bridges. Lalo sa showbiz, dahil ang liit lang ng mundo na ito. If I didn’t maintain good relationships with the people in both GMA and ABS-CBN, I would never have been able to move back and forth between the two networks. When I moved back to GMA, I personally went upstairs to the bosses in ABS-CBN to pay my respects and to say goodbye. May dala pa nga akong bulaklak. They told me, “See you in two years.” Wala kaming away. Kaya kung tatanungin mo ako kung ano ang ma-a-advice ko, siguro ‘yon na ‘yon. Never burn bridges. Kahit wala akong plano na lumipat sa ngayon because I’m very happy where I am, siyempre, maganda pa rin ‘yung maayos ang pakikitungo mo sa lahat ng tao.

 You’re in a relationship right now. You’re also the right age to settle down (26). If you do get married, would you stop working?

I don’t think so. I love what I do. I enjoy acting. It’s my passion.