ANGELI Khang is all set to be seen in the movie “Pusoy” on Vivamax starting this Friday, May 27, but she has now started taping for her first streaming series, “Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin”, directed by Mac Alejandre who helmed her in her biggest hit, “Silip sa Apoy”. What is the difference of her role in “Silip” to “Wag Agawin”?

“Iba ang ‘Silip’ kasi battered wife ako, inaapi ng jowa ko. Physically, emotionally and mentally akong pinahihirapan. Dito sa ‘Wag Agawin’, I’m working as an escort girl. Anak akong inabandona ng ina kaya may emptiness sa puso ko dahil hinahanap ko pa rin ang nanay ko. It’s more about mother and daughter.”

How is it working again with Direk Mac? “I am very happy to be reunited with Direk Mac kasi tinulungan niya talaga ko sa craft ko as an actress. Andami kong natutuhan noon sa kanya sa ‘Silip’, so I’m delighted to be working with him again. Sobrang thankful ako, kasi with Direk, para akong pumapasok sa school to learn new things.”

Direk Mac has nothing but praises for her. What can she say about this? “I’m so flattered na he says malaki ang potential ko. I’m just so grateful kasi andami niyang nakikita sa’kin na ako mismo, hindi ko pa nakikita sa sarili ko. So I just promise na I will always try to do my best for him.”

Does she feel pressure for “Wag Agawin” to be a bigger hit than “Silip” in Vivamax? “There will always be pressure sa mga ginagawa ko, but since si Direk Mac ang director ko ngayon, just like in ‘Silip’, I really trust him na kung nagawa namin noon, magagawa rin namin ngayon to please Vivamax viewers.”

What can she say to bashers who claim that all she does is to disrobe for the camera? “Even if I’m doing sexy roles, I’m just thankful and honored na napunta ko sa ganitong path ng buhay and career ko. Hindi madali ang ginagawa namin sa harap ng camera, but as an actor, there’s always a lot to learn. Hopefully, I will be given more challenging dramatic roles in the future. I just believe in myself na makakaya ko whatever role they give to me.”

Direk Mac sees more in Angeli

‘SILIP Sa Apoy’ is one of Vivamax biggest hits. It starred Angeli Khang and was directed by Mac Alejandre. They’re now together again and this time, it’s in an 8-episode series, “Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin”. What’s it all about?

“Story ito ng isang mother and daughter,” he says. “Angeli plays a girl na lumaking walang magulang. So we show kung ano ang epekto nito sa isang bata who is feeling abandoned. How does it shape her character? Dito, nagsikap siya to improve her life, pero maraming humahadlang sa kanyang kaligayahan. Her mom is played by Jamilla Obispo na akala, namatay na ang anak niya pero hinahanap pa rin niya nang yumaman siya.”

How does it feel working with Angeli again? “I really look forward to working with her again kasi Angeli has proven to me na magaling siyang artista at she showed na nagtitiwala siya sa akin. She’s an instinctive actress, dun ako nagulat. First shooting day pa lang ng ‘Silip’, nakita kong kaya ko siyang i-push. Kita ko sa mata niya at sa body language niya ‘yung emotional and psychological range niya, kayang ma-stretch. Bilang artista, ang potential niya, malaki. Ang attitude niya ay tama and her willingness to learn and her drive to achieve her craft to the fullest, tama ang perspective niya. She also has this childhood innocence that she maintains and this certain degree of purity. Mabait na bata siya at mabuting tao at importante ‘yun for her to be a good actress. I want to be part of her journey to push her craft forward and guide her artistic muscles.”

Does he think Angeli will win an acting award someday?

“I have no doubt that one day she’ll win a best actress award. It will definitely come someday. Ako, I really admired her performance sa ‘Silip sa Apoy’, not just because of the daringness, but dahil niyakap niya nang buo at mahigpit ang role niya. She gave lahat ng hiningi ko sa kanya and I’m grateful sa trust na ibinigay niya sa akin.”

How does it feel to be directing a series again? “Yes, this is my first series in five years. And this is my first in a streaming channel. I’ve been directing for 30 years. I’m just happy and grateful to be part of Vivamax, a platform doing films and series na mapapanood in about 40 territories at maraming nabibigyan ng trabaho.”

What are the challenges of directing a series now? “The greatest challenge is the pandemic. The virus is still here. But ang na-realize ko, challenges will always be there, no matter how hard and well you prepare. So you just have to be ready all the time and no need to panic. The challenges will help push you to be more creative.”

Will this be sexier than “Silip sa Apoy”? “Iba naman ang requirements nito sa ‘Silip sa Apoy’. Angeli will be more daring but not just in doing sexy scenes. I’m hoping she’ll show more of her creative muscles para makita naman natin ang ibang aspeto ng kanyang pagiging artista, para lalong paghusayin ang kanyang craft and for her to gain more experiences as a good person and a good actor that go together. She has done other projects since ‘Silip’ at sana, lahat ng natutuhan niya doon, mai-apply niya ngayon dito para lalo pang mapakinang ang acting niya.”