Angel Locsín (born Angélica Locsín Colmenares on April 23, 1985), is a Filipina television and film actress, commercial model, film producer, fashion designer, and product endorser who was introduced in GMA Network's youth-oriented program, Click. Locsin rose to prominence after being cast as one of the lead stars in the fantasy-themed television series Mulawin in 2004. Soon after, she starred as the superheroine Darna in the TV adaptation of the popular Mars Ravelo comics hit. Locsin top-billed in several films and is known as the screen love interest of Richard Gutierrez and Dennis Trillo. In mid-2007, Angel left her mother studio, GMA Network and signed an exclusive contract in ABS-CBN despite her booming career in GMA. She told in an interview with Boy Abunda that she is no longer happy in GMA and she is looking forward to have a better career in ABS-CBN.
Life and Career:
Locsín was born on April 23, 1985 in Bulacan province, where she also grew up. She is the second child of three. Her parents separated when she was fourteen, and she has since lived with her father.
Locsin's career in show business began after she was discovered by a talent scout while she cut classes with a friend and was shopping at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City. She auditioned for several commercials. She was supposed to be part of the Batch 9 of ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9, but she failed to sign a contract with ABS-CBN'S Talent Center because her father, Angelo Colmenares, did not agree. After a year, she became a contract star of GMA.
Locsín first appeared in Click, a teen-oriented program on the GMA Network, as the tomboyish Charley (short for Charlotte), where she was first paired with Brian Revilla, then eventually to Railey Valeroso. She became widely known when she first appeared on the cover of FHM (Philippine edition). The same magazine consistently lists her as one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World", as well as sexiest Filipina, ranking No. 2 behind Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. She has also been known as a sex symbol of the Philippines.
She also appears in commercials endorsing, among others, Robitussin, Centrum, Smart, Axe, Timex Watch (with Piolo Pascual), Magnolia Health Tea, Avon Glazeware Lipstick, Eskinol, Avon, Lotus Ballpen, Converse Shoes, Happee Toothpaste, the new San Mig Coffee commercial called Dream (also with Piolo) and Head & Shoulders. She has other print ads endorsements that made her tie up with Piolo Pascual at the No.3 spot of the top product endorsers in the Philippines.
In 2003, her boyfriend, actor Miko Sotto, fell off from the 9th floor of his condominium in December 2003. Afterwards, her boyfriend's mother, movie actress and ABC newscaster Ali Sotto, donated his eyes to those in need. Angel eventually portrayed the dramatization of the life of one of these recipients in the TV drama show Magpakailanman.
After appearing in Click, Locsin gained further exposure as she was cast in the television shows Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin, All Together Now, and Love to Love.
After her role as the half-human, half-avian Alwina in the 2004 Telefantasya Mulawin, where she was paired with Aguiluz (Richard Gutierrez), she auditioned for the title role of the classic Filipina superhero in Darna television series. She won the part handily among numerous actresses who tried out and was chosen to don the iconic red suit and crest. She also voiced the character of Kyoko Iwase in the Philippine Tagalog version of Initial D aired in Animax.
After Darna, Locsin reunited with former love team Dennis Trillo as they top-billed GMA's fantasy-themed series, Majika. Angel joined the GMA's biggest action-adventure Philippine drama starring Robin Padilla. This was her last project with GMA-7 before she left and took fashion design course in London.
Locsín also starred in films. Among her big screen credits are Kuya, Mano Po 2, Singles, Sigaw and the 2005 box-office hit Let The Love Begin, where she worked with on-screen partner Richard Gutierrez. Her team-up with Gutierrez is considered by some as one of the best pairings in the country. She also reprised her role as Alwina in the movie adaptation of Mulawin.
Locsín also dated Oyo Boy Sotto (born Vittorio Mari Sotto), son of actor Vic Sotto and actress Dina Bonnevie and cousin of her late boyfriend Miko Sotto.
Locsín also admitted on a Filipino talk show "Ali" that she has been an avid fan of WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) since childhood. Her favorite wrestlers are Triple H and the Filipino-Greek-American Batista, whom she met at the show 'Eat Bulaga' backstage.
Locsín is reunited with Richard Gutierrez for the movie The Promise which was co-produced by Regal Entertainment and GMA FILMS Production. The movie has a different portrayal for both, showcasing a more mature role. It has a love scene and a bed scene which the two haven't done in any other films. She and Richard are considered the most popular young stars of their generation and both are one of the most highest paid stars.
Today, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network confirmed that Locsin and Piolo Pascual will be launched as their newest loveteam. Both of them already signed a movie contract and said during an interview with The Buzz that they are very much excited to do projects together.
Recently Angel co-hosted Mariel Rodriguez and Valerie Concepcion in the noon time show Wowowee primarily hosted by the controversial Willie "Papi" Revillame. She joined the Wowowee production and gave tribute to the military men who fought the rebels in Basilan. Her appearance in Wowowee last September 1, 2007 gave another hit to the rating of the show. She just also received good reviews of her performance in a recent Maalaala Mo Kaya episode entitled "Pilat" which paired her with hearthrob Sam Milby. It is said that Locsin and Milby also have good chemistry on screen.
Controversies:
Locsin had her fair share of controversy after appearing in a TV ad for Axe (manufactured by Unilever Philippines). Many feminist groups, as well as former Senator Nikki Coseteng, complained about the offensive gestures in the advertisement. In the television commercial, Angel is teasing a man by showing off money and her body, but the man approaches Angel and takes only her money. Because of these complaints, Unilever pulled out the commercial.
On July 20, 2007, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Presiding Judge Ma. Theresa Yadao dismissed Locsin's petition for reformation of instrument and/or rescission/breach of contract and damages filed against Rebecca "Becky" Aguila after granting her motion to dismiss, based on settlement of their differences. Locsin sued her manager on December 6 where she asked the court to order the reformation of the terms of the Artist Management Contract which she had signed, to reflect the true intention of the parties.
Locsin's five-year contract with GMA expired in mid-2007. Her manager, Becky Aguila, and her father, Angel Colmenares, sent a letter, formally informing GMA that her talent would not renew her contract with the Kapuso network. In August 2007, she transferred to ABS-CBN Network, the rival TV station of GMA. She told in an interview with Boy Abunda that she is no longer happy with GMA and she is looking forward to having a better career in ABS-CBN. With her statement, many were disappointed. And even accusing her of being ingrate because of her ungrateful actions. Because GMA has made her a superstar in a short period of time.
GMA's Senior Vice-President for Entertainment, Wilma Galvante, expressed her disappointment with Angel's career move. In a phone patch interview with Showbiz Central, Galvante said that they were the last to know about Angel and her manager's intentions. Galvante said that they had asked Angel Locsin twice if her camp was negotiating with the rival network, and Locsin and her Manager repeatedly denied there was a negotiation going on. The GMA Executive further expressed disappointment that they were only informed of the impending transfer, through a letter from Becky Aguila, a few hours before Aguila and Locsin's father discussed the transfer on an interview with one of the shows of ABS-CBN.
Moreover, Locsin had an alleged video sex scandal. The video was being sold in a pirated DVD. After a while, they figured out that the woman in the video was a pornstar from Thailand "Natt Chanapa" who looked just like her.
Life and Career:
Locsín was born on April 23, 1985 in Bulacan province, where she also grew up. She is the second child of three. Her parents separated when she was fourteen, and she has since lived with her father.
Locsin's career in show business began after she was discovered by a talent scout while she cut classes with a friend and was shopping at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City. She auditioned for several commercials. She was supposed to be part of the Batch 9 of ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9, but she failed to sign a contract with ABS-CBN'S Talent Center because her father, Angelo Colmenares, did not agree. After a year, she became a contract star of GMA.
Locsín first appeared in Click, a teen-oriented program on the GMA Network, as the tomboyish Charley (short for Charlotte), where she was first paired with Brian Revilla, then eventually to Railey Valeroso. She became widely known when she first appeared on the cover of FHM (Philippine edition). The same magazine consistently lists her as one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World", as well as sexiest Filipina, ranking No. 2 behind Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. She has also been known as a sex symbol of the Philippines.
She also appears in commercials endorsing, among others, Robitussin, Centrum, Smart, Axe, Timex Watch (with Piolo Pascual), Magnolia Health Tea, Avon Glazeware Lipstick, Eskinol, Avon, Lotus Ballpen, Converse Shoes, Happee Toothpaste, the new San Mig Coffee commercial called Dream (also with Piolo) and Head & Shoulders. She has other print ads endorsements that made her tie up with Piolo Pascual at the No.3 spot of the top product endorsers in the Philippines.
In 2003, her boyfriend, actor Miko Sotto, fell off from the 9th floor of his condominium in December 2003. Afterwards, her boyfriend's mother, movie actress and ABC newscaster Ali Sotto, donated his eyes to those in need. Angel eventually portrayed the dramatization of the life of one of these recipients in the TV drama show Magpakailanman.
After appearing in Click, Locsin gained further exposure as she was cast in the television shows Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin, All Together Now, and Love to Love.
After her role as the half-human, half-avian Alwina in the 2004 Telefantasya Mulawin, where she was paired with Aguiluz (Richard Gutierrez), she auditioned for the title role of the classic Filipina superhero in Darna television series. She won the part handily among numerous actresses who tried out and was chosen to don the iconic red suit and crest. She also voiced the character of Kyoko Iwase in the Philippine Tagalog version of Initial D aired in Animax.
After Darna, Locsin reunited with former love team Dennis Trillo as they top-billed GMA's fantasy-themed series, Majika. Angel joined the GMA's biggest action-adventure Philippine drama starring Robin Padilla. This was her last project with GMA-7 before she left and took fashion design course in London.
Locsín also starred in films. Among her big screen credits are Kuya, Mano Po 2, Singles, Sigaw and the 2005 box-office hit Let The Love Begin, where she worked with on-screen partner Richard Gutierrez. Her team-up with Gutierrez is considered by some as one of the best pairings in the country. She also reprised her role as Alwina in the movie adaptation of Mulawin.
Locsín also dated Oyo Boy Sotto (born Vittorio Mari Sotto), son of actor Vic Sotto and actress Dina Bonnevie and cousin of her late boyfriend Miko Sotto.
Locsín also admitted on a Filipino talk show "Ali" that she has been an avid fan of WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) since childhood. Her favorite wrestlers are Triple H and the Filipino-Greek-American Batista, whom she met at the show 'Eat Bulaga' backstage.
Locsín is reunited with Richard Gutierrez for the movie The Promise which was co-produced by Regal Entertainment and GMA FILMS Production. The movie has a different portrayal for both, showcasing a more mature role. It has a love scene and a bed scene which the two haven't done in any other films. She and Richard are considered the most popular young stars of their generation and both are one of the most highest paid stars.
Today, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network confirmed that Locsin and Piolo Pascual will be launched as their newest loveteam. Both of them already signed a movie contract and said during an interview with The Buzz that they are very much excited to do projects together.
Recently Angel co-hosted Mariel Rodriguez and Valerie Concepcion in the noon time show Wowowee primarily hosted by the controversial Willie "Papi" Revillame. She joined the Wowowee production and gave tribute to the military men who fought the rebels in Basilan. Her appearance in Wowowee last September 1, 2007 gave another hit to the rating of the show. She just also received good reviews of her performance in a recent Maalaala Mo Kaya episode entitled "Pilat" which paired her with hearthrob Sam Milby. It is said that Locsin and Milby also have good chemistry on screen.
Controversies:
Locsin had her fair share of controversy after appearing in a TV ad for Axe (manufactured by Unilever Philippines). Many feminist groups, as well as former Senator Nikki Coseteng, complained about the offensive gestures in the advertisement. In the television commercial, Angel is teasing a man by showing off money and her body, but the man approaches Angel and takes only her money. Because of these complaints, Unilever pulled out the commercial.
On July 20, 2007, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Presiding Judge Ma. Theresa Yadao dismissed Locsin's petition for reformation of instrument and/or rescission/breach of contract and damages filed against Rebecca "Becky" Aguila after granting her motion to dismiss, based on settlement of their differences. Locsin sued her manager on December 6 where she asked the court to order the reformation of the terms of the Artist Management Contract which she had signed, to reflect the true intention of the parties.
Locsin's five-year contract with GMA expired in mid-2007. Her manager, Becky Aguila, and her father, Angel Colmenares, sent a letter, formally informing GMA that her talent would not renew her contract with the Kapuso network. In August 2007, she transferred to ABS-CBN Network, the rival TV station of GMA. She told in an interview with Boy Abunda that she is no longer happy with GMA and she is looking forward to having a better career in ABS-CBN. With her statement, many were disappointed. And even accusing her of being ingrate because of her ungrateful actions. Because GMA has made her a superstar in a short period of time.
GMA's Senior Vice-President for Entertainment, Wilma Galvante, expressed her disappointment with Angel's career move. In a phone patch interview with Showbiz Central, Galvante said that they were the last to know about Angel and her manager's intentions. Galvante said that they had asked Angel Locsin twice if her camp was negotiating with the rival network, and Locsin and her Manager repeatedly denied there was a negotiation going on. The GMA Executive further expressed disappointment that they were only informed of the impending transfer, through a letter from Becky Aguila, a few hours before Aguila and Locsin's father discussed the transfer on an interview with one of the shows of ABS-CBN.
Moreover, Locsin had an alleged video sex scandal. The video was being sold in a pirated DVD. After a while, they figured out that the woman in the video was a pornstar from Thailand "Natt Chanapa" who looked just like her.
