Angelica Panganiban (right) during her guest appearance on 'Oh My Gan,' hosted by ABS-CBN News reporter Ganiel Krishnan. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Angelica Panganiban said she wants daughter Amila to fully enjoy her childhood, as she reflected on the sacrifices she made after entering showbiz at a very young age.
During her interview on “Oh My Gan,” the actress looked back on her early years in the entertainment industry, including her iconic stint on "Ang TV" and her beloved role as Becky in "Princess Sarah."
“Nung finally nakita ko yung sarili ko na nasa ganyan na, noon pa lang, I think I’ve made it. Yes, ganap na ako. Pero hindi pala, mas malayo pa pala yung pwede kong marating,” she said of seeing herself on "Ang TV: as a child.
Asked about rewatching her performances as Becky, Angelica admitted she is amazed by what she was able to do at such a young age.
“Na-amaze lang ako na, ‘paano ko na-memorize yung mga lines, paano nila ako napaiyak, paano ko narating yung mga ganung emotions at a very young age?’” she said.
But motherhood has since changed how she sees child acting.
“Ngayon, pag yung anak ko yung gagawa nun, baka pag pinaiyak nila yung anak ko kunin ko na. Tigil nyo na ito, okay na? Huwag na natin itong ituloy,” she said.
Angelica also acknowledged that, in some ways, her childhood was taken away by her early career. “In a way, yes. Kasi parang hindi naging normal talaga eh,” she said.
She explained that while other children had time to play and rest, she spent her days working after school.
“Kasi ako after school, nagtatrabaho ako. Hindi naman ako naglalaro. Napupuyat ako. Hindi kumpleto yung tulog ko,” she said.
BIG REGRET
The actress also shared one of her biggest regrets: not being able to finish school.
“Yung hindi talaga ako nakapagtapos,” she said.
Angelica revealed that if she had gone to college, she would have wanted to study nursing, and even dreamed of becoming a doctor.
“Gusto ko talaga nursing. Actually, gusto ko maging doktor,” she said.
Because of her own experience, Angelica said she would not stop Amila from entering showbiz if that is truly what her daughter wants. But she would prefer to wait until the time is right.
“Mas gusto ko talaga na kung gusto niya, maybe hintayin ko yung tamang time,” she said.
The actress said she wants Amila to first explore all her options before choosing a path.
“Mas gusto ko na ma-explore niya yung options niya,” she said.
Angelica also made it clear that if Amila does decide to follow in her footsteps, she dreams even bigger for her daughter.
“Kung talagang gusto niya, mag-aaral kami abroad. Kasi kung gusto mo yung ginawa ng mama mo, or kung yan talaga yung dream mo, hindi ako papayag na ito lang, na dito ka sa Pilipinas. Like, no. Doon tayo. Mag-Hollywood ka kung gusto mo,” she said.
She even joked that if Amila achieves it, her daughter might just fulfill her own dream.
“Kasi kung may pangarap ako, gusto ko manalo ng Oscar. So, ikaw yung tumupad doon sa pangarap ko,” she said.
For now, though, Angelica said she wants her daughter to simply be a child.
“Ayoko talaga kasing nakawin yung childhood niya… Ang sarap kaya maglaro. Ang sarap kaya ng kumpleto yung tulog,” she said.
The actress is currently starring in "The Silent Noise," but beyond the screen, she remains firm on one role she values most: being a mother who wants better choices and more freedom for her daughter.