Angel Locsin (born
Angelica Colmenares[1]; April 23, 1985) is a
Filipina television and film actress and commercial model. Aside from this, she is also a film producer and
fashion designer.
She starred in the
fantasy-themed television series
Mulawin in 2004. Soon after, she starred as the
superheroine Darna in the
TV adaptation of the
Mars Ravelo comics. When her contract expired on March 2007, Locsin did not renew her contract with
GMA Network and signed an exclusive contract with
ABS-CBN.
[1] Her first project under ABS-CBN was the television series
Lobo. Locsin starred in her first box office movie under
Star Cinema,
[2] Love Me Again,
[3] directed by
Rory Quintos.
[4]
She is currently the lead star in
ABS-CBN's
Imortal, the sequel of her first
ABS-CBN series,
Lobo.
[5]
Locsin was born in
Santa Maria, Bulacan. Her parents separated when she was 14 years old and she has since lived with her father, Angelo Colmenares.
[citation needed]
Locsin had her
elementary education in
St. James College,
Quezon City and finished
high school at the
University of Santo Tomas High School,
Manila. In August 2007 she attended a short-course for fashion design at
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in
London.
Locsin, despite being of Christian faith, is part of a Muslim Royal Family in Marawi City in the province of Lanao de Sur through her mother. Reports also said that Locsin's maternal grandfather is one of the 15
sultanates in Lanao del Sur.
Locsin was discovered by a talent scout when she was shopping at
SM City North EDSA in
Quezon City.
[1] She then auditioned for several
commercials. She was supposed to be a part of
ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9, but failed to sign a contract because her father opposed the idea.
[citation needed] In 2001, she became a contract star of
GMA Artist Center, first appearing on the second season of teen-oriented series,
Click. Locsin was also included in the cast of
Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin. In 2004, she starred in
All Together Now.
On August 2, 2004, Locsin starred in
Mulawin, where she portrayed "Alwina". The show ended on March 18, 2005.
After
Mulawin, Locsin played the title role ("Darna") in the fantasy television series
Ravelo's Darna. Since then, she has worked in TV commercials and endorsements, as well as film projects.
From March through September 2006, Locsin starred in another fantasy television series,
Majika. She played the role of Sabina. In 2007, Locsin starred in
Asian Treasures. It was the first Philippine TV series that was shot in multiple countries such as
Mongolia,
Thailand and
China. It aired on January 15, 2007 and ended June 29, 2007.
On August 11, 2007, Locsin signed a two-year exclusive contract with
ABS-CBN.
On January 28, 2008, Locsin launched her first drama series (
teleserye) in
ABS-CBN entitled
Lobo. It premiered with a rating of 27.7% while its highest rating was 33.4%. The series ended on July 11, 2008.
In 2009, Locsin starred in the top-rated TV series,
Only You, a Philippine remake of the Korean drama of the same title aired by
SBS (South Korea) in 2005. She stars with
Sam Milby and
Diether Ocampo, directed by Rory Quintos which aired last April 27, 2009 at
ABS-CBN Primetime.
In 2010, she starred in
Imortal, the continuation of
Lobo which was directed by Chito S. Roño.
Locsin first starred in films such as
Ping Lacson Supercop,
Mano Po 2,
Kuya and
Singles. In 2004, Locsin starred in the films
Mano Po 3 and
Sigaw which both included in 31st Metro Manila Film Festival.
[citation needed]
In 2005,
GMA Films released the film,
Let the Love Begin starring Locsin with
Richard Gutierrez,
Jennylyn Mercado and
Mark Herras, directed by
Mac Alejandre. It grossed PHP 82 million at the box office. She also reprised her role as Alwina in
Mulawin: The Movie with
Richard Gutierrez. In early 2006, Locsin starred her second valentine movie film with
GMA Films,
I Will Always Love You with
Richard Gutierrez and directed by
Mac Alejandre. She starred the Filipino
horror film,
TxT and in 2006's
Metro Manila Film Festival offering,
Mano Po 5.
[citation needed]
In early 2007, Locsin also reunited with
Richard Gutierrez in
The Promise where their roles were considered more mature than their last film. This was her last film with
GMA Films before she signed a contract with
Star Cinema.
Locsin had also produced her own film entitled
Angels, which was shown in theaters on April 12, 2007.
In 2009, Locsin starred in her first movie under
Star Cinema,
Love Me Again The film was shot in
Impasug-ong and
Malaybalay City,
Bukidnon. Other scenes were also shot in
Darwin,
Australia. The film premiered on January 15, 2009.
On April 23, 2007, Locsin celebrated her birthday with
GABRIELA Foundation, an
NGO that supports women and children. On April 20, 2008, Locsin organized a gift-giving to the less fortunate children in
Payatas,
Quezon City and gave poor children food, clothing and other basic needs. It was her birthday gift supported by her sponsors.
