Angelica Panganiban shared a glimpse of her life as a hands-on and supportive mother in an interview with the King of Talk, Boy Abunda, on December 15. The actress spoke about her daughter Amila Sabine, slowly stepping into the entertainment industry, much like she did when she was young.
Early in the interview, Boy asked about what Amila may have inherited from her. Without hesitation, Angelica fondly pointed to her daughter’s lively personality.
“Yung pagiging bibo, I think. Sobrang bibo ni Amila. Talagang makikita mo na may plano siyang mag-artista, parang dun siya papunta,” she said, noting how familiar that energy feels to her as someone who also started acting as a child.
Drawing from her own experience as a child star, Angelica made it clear that she has no intention of stopping her daughter should she decide to pursue acting. “Hindi ko naman siya planong pigilan,” she said, adding that if she were to support Amila, it would be in a way her daughter might not expect.
“Pag sinuportahan ko kasi siya, kabahan siya sa support na ibibigay ko. Kasi ibibigay ko yung suporta na hindi niya inaasahan siguro. Baka sabihin niya pa ‘kalma,’” the actress jokingly said, saying that her support would be firm but thoughtful.
Angelica emphasized that she does not see herself as a stage mother, but rather, someone who will give her all to provide the best for her kid. “Kasi kung mangangarap na lang ako, mangangarap ako nang malaki.”
“Gusto ko nasa British School of Acting, ‘yung mga ganon. So, kung gusto mo mag-artista, doon tayo,” explaining that she wants her to receive proper training.
She also shared that her husband, Gregg Homan, is supportive of their child’s path. Although they both currently prefer to keep things light for their daughter. “Siyempre ngayon nandoon pa rin kami sa ‘uy, commercial lang ah.’ Ganon.”
At just three years old, Amila has already appeared in several brand advertisements alongside her mother, marking her first showbiz experience at a young age.
Angelica, meanwhile, is one of the most successful actresses of her generation, with a career spanning for more than three decades. Some of her several films as a child star include Sarah...Ang Munting Prinsesa (1995) and Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa (1997).
The actress also amused viewers as she recalled her hilarious reaction upon first seeing Amila as a newborn, who has blonde hair and blue eyes. Angelica repeatedly remembered her shocked response, saying her initial reaction was simply, “Ano ‘yan?” She explained that after undergoing an emergency cesarean section, she could not immediately see the face of her baby clearly when she was breastfeeding.
READ: Angelica Panganiban shares how she met husband Gregg Homan
She described how the reactions of those around her were added to the confusion. “So pag ino-open yung mata, mukha akong kawawa talaga sa ospital, kasi nagsisigawan silang lahat. Like yung mga lola, si Gregg. ‘Anong nangyayari?’ ganon lang [yung reaksyon] ko.” It was only when photos were shown to her that she fully realized what everyone was reacting to. “So pinicture-an nila, pinakita sa akin yung mata, sabi ko talaga ‘ano ‘yan? Bakit blue? Saan galing?’” Later, they realized that it was inherited from Amila’s Australian grandfather.
Angelica also connected Amila’s blonde hair to their dog’s fur, saying that she was praying for her daughter to have the same hair color to their chocolate labrador. “Sabi ko ‘gusto ko ganito yung hair, Lord, ah,’” while referring to their dog’s fur. “Kaya doon sa pagka-blonde medyo may pinaglihian ako diyan e.”
READ: Angelica Panganiban on why she could not turn down her role in UnMarry: 'Para siyang calling'
The conversation then turned emotional as Angelica recalled her late mother, Annabelle, who passed away in August last year. Asked about memories from her mother when it comes to raising her daughter, Angelica shared, “Ang naalala ko, present siyang lola. Gustong gusto niya yung role niya bilang lola. Tagal niyang hinintay yun e.”
She added that she felt her mother waited to see her happy and settled before passing away. “Feeling ko nga hinintay lang niyang makita na okay na okay na ako e.”
Angelica admitted that she misses her mother deeply, especially now that Amila is growing up. “Everyday,” she said.
“Talagang nagb-break down ako pag nakikita ko [yung projects ni Amila]. Ang una kong naiisip ‘grabe sobrang matutuwa si mama nito.’ So parang what more yung apo niya makikita niyang ang cute cute, ang ganda ganda, lumalaking sobrang bibo.”
“Guardian angel talaga [namin] siya,” Angelica said, describing her late mother as a constant presence in their lives.
Meanwhile, Angelica is set to return to the big screen as the lead star of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry UnMarry, alongside her longtime friend and co-star Zanjoe Marudo. During the film’s press conference, she shared why the project resonated deeply with her.
“Noong nabasa ko ‘yung script, para siyang calling. Na parang kung sa akin ito ibinibigay, kailangan ko itong panindigan. Kailangan ko maging boses ng mga babae, ng kahit na sino na may pinagdadaanan, ng freedom nila. Kasi naniniwala ako na ang freedom, deserve nating lahat kapag hinihingi na talaga ng pagkatao mo,” she previously said.
Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, UnMarry opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25.