For every show an angel
She’s more than every man's dream come true. By Mitzi Duque-Ruiz

If you can count discriminating talent managers among your fans, it goes without saying that you are a cut above showbiz's rest. Insiders will tell you, Angel Aquino does.

She is one of the commensurate hosts of "F," Studio 23's high-rating weekly lifestyle show for women for the sixth straight year. On the side, she continues to be an in-demand talent for magazines, product endorsements, and the catwalk--no saturation point in sight. Memorable roles she portrayed in a high-rating soap opera and critically acclaimed movie come to mind easily, their characters breathed life so compellingly. Best of all, she has rarely been involved in controversies and has not received any negative press about her work or work ethics.

But Angel, seemingly unruffled and somewhat indifferent of her celebrity status, is in charge of her own schedule--and, it has to be said, her life. She takes calls and booking inquiries herself, and goes about work without so much as a personal assistant, much less a posse, as many a celebrity with her stature are wont to do.

Striking balance
This is how she has struck a sense of balance in her life. She thrives in the limelight, but owns her own time and self-manages.

"I have the liberty to say no to certain projects," she expounds. "As far as work goes, I have two 'holy days' that are reserved for shooting episodes for 'F.' The rest of the days I can give to projects that I accept." She could have taken advantage of all the offers that have come her way; the name Angel Aquino certainly opens doors. But being judicious and discerning is one of her stronger points, and is reflective of her long-standing principles. She is careful with the career she has been blessed with and handles this prudently.

Where relevant, Angel upholds an uncomplicated structure in as much of her personal and professional life as possible. Instead of striking hard and fast while the iron is hot, she sustains a steady public presence while taking more definitive steps in improving herself as an actor. That has granted her an edge over other nameless faces who have gone the predictable showbiz route. For instance, her decision to continue with modeling, the industry that opened doors for her, means accepting just "enough to maintain a presence there and to stay in touch with old friends."

Beautiful inside out
How she has stayed a popular choice in both fashion and showbiz realms in the reign of the mestiza is quite evident. Her beauty is poetic: deep-set expressive eyes, regal cheekbones, and a physique that, even in her 30s, is as lissome as that of a woman in her twenties.

Once addicted to working out, Angel has embarked on neither diet nor exercise for about three years now, not since "Recuerdo de Amor," her last soap opera. Then, her look was the result of a rigid, one-and-a-half-year regimen she followed that had exploited her muscle mass well.

She has since gone back to her original frame, and although she looks marvelous, is somewhat woeful. "I don't feel great. I know my body is looking for it [regular workouts]. I am now searching for a program that is right for me--nothing rigorous, something more peaceful and serene... maybe Pilates or yoga." She's also candid enough to admit that aging is a compelling reason to make her reclaim her old fitness level.

But personal development also entails taking care of her mind, which Angel does by watching as little television as possible, preferring novels instead. "I also make sure I spend time with friends who make sense, learning and absorbing such diverse information. Like with Daphne Oseña [her 'F' cohost], and my non-showbiz barkada, whom I make a point to see at least once every two weeks." To nurture her spirit, she goes to Baclaran Church once a week with her sisters. "I'm Roman Catholic, but I am not the traditional type. I have my prayers and for other concerns, I seek the counsel of Father Dennis, a priest I met through a friend from showbiz."

Well-worn wisdom
To be fiercely protective of one's looks in this industry is natural, that a day at the spa or salon might be how one expects Angel to spend her free time. But, "Weekends--or at least one day each weekend--are strictly for family," she emphasizes. These she spends with 12-year-old Iana and 10-year-old Thea, both of whom she raised single-handedly for the most part of their lives.

These days, weekends off are even more sacred to her and the girls. "I have always reserved time for them, but never has the term 'quality time' mattered to me more than now," she acknowledges. "I know that I'll be losing them soon to their friends and to 'gimmicks,' so I really pressure myself to be with them more often."

Fortunately, she has always had the stable presence of her Nanay, who lives with them, to take care of her daughters' daily needs and concerns. "I am so grateful for her help. I love dining out, and I have to confess I have never learned to be adept at domestic skills. I can't cook, and thank God, my Nanay is there to prepare home-cooked meals my daughters look for," she laughs, then turns reflective. "More than that, Nanay's old-fashioned parenting has provided the firm hand and consistency they need."

Much has been written about Angel being the family's breadwinner since her days as a model, putting her siblings through school and helping out in times of need. It is a tale, however, that glossed over the better aspects of their setup. For instance, it gave Nanay the opportunity to always be home for them, fostering emotional and moral security.

Confident enough about this setup that she applied it with her daughters as well, the proud mom shares, "My girls turned out OK. They are respectful of authority, even if they have their own opinions on various matters. They don't whine, and they haven't given me problems expected of kids in their 'tweens.'" And although they can be protective and possessive of her sometimes, both Iana and Thea show maturity and understanding beyond their years, even where their mom's other relationships are concerned.

Eternal sunshine
"I always dreamed of traveling. I used to want to be a flight attendant because I thought that was my way to achieve this dream." But it has been said that our prayers are always answered, just not in the way we expect them to be. "This year has been such a thrill for me because I have been on a plane almost every other week!" Angel enthuses.

Through endorsements from the likes of Jewelmer and media junkets afforded her as host of "F," she has enjoyed her time in the sun immensely, having traipsed all over Singapore, Paris, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan. "Boracay is a staple. I always go there with my kids," she continues wistfully. "So you can imagine how happy I am to have reached all these places anyway, even if I never made it as a flight attendant."

The epitome of someone living her dream, Angel is wisely spending time with the people who matter, enriching herself personally and professionally, and, at the end of the day, enjoying the perks of a job well done. With her flight schedule all set and the weather going pretty much her way, she doesn't really need to be with a flight crew to follow her dreams. This angel's got her own strong wings to take her there.