Angelica Panganiban Talks About Banana Split Family

As part of Banana Split’s first batch of talents when the show started in 2008, Angelica Panganiban said she feels lucky to still be part of the long-running gag show’s fourth year anniversary.

“Before kami nila mamang, si Pokwang po, siRR (Enriquez), si Cristine (Reyes), si Roxanne (Guinoo), si Gab Valenciano, at si Nina Jose.Yung Banana Split kasi, hindi siya isang grupo na kayong lahat kailangan magka-sundo sundo kayo. Kasi yun ang pinakamagandang recipeng comedy show. Hindi siya pinilit, hindi siya pinush. Parang susubukan pa natin hanggang sa magkasundo-sundo sila tapos eto na, ayan na. Nakikita namin na nakikita din ng creative team, ng management na nag-wo-work yung samahan namin kaya nandito pa rin kami. SiPokwang pinasok sa Happy Yipee Yehey. SiZanjoe (Marudo) for a time nawala rin siya tapos bumalik na lang, si Melai (Cantiveros) din. Somay mga ganun pero ibinabalik naman kung gusto pa rin nila. Desisyon naman nila yun. Minsan desisyon naman ng management yun,” she shared.

The 26-year-old actress, who is also part of Star Cinema’s newest film 24/7 In Love, admitted she has become closely bonded with the cast and crew of the weekly show. “Siyempre masaya kami kasi nabigyan kami ng opportunity na mas ma-explore namin yung mga possibilities na puwede pa namin gawin sa career namin and sobra kaming thankful dahil sa team nila direk Bobot (Mortiz)at saka sa comedy crew ng ABS-CBN dahil isa kami sa mapapalad na nakapasok sa Banana Split. Siguro kaya rin naging maganda yung rapport naming lahat dahil nga kumportable kami sa isa’t isa and parang magkakapatid ang turingan namin kaya naman mas naging effectivetalaga yung comedy at mas nakakaaliw na panuorin kami. Dahil nag-re-reflect rin yun sa mga nanunuod sa amin kasi ganun din sila sa mga kaibigan nila, asaran, nagkukulitan. Kaya walang napipikon sa amin kahit ihiwalay pa yung puti sa de-kolor (laughs),” she said.

Angel said that the family atmosphere on the set is the secret to the onscreen chemistry between the cast members. “Pukpukan talaga dito, masipag kami. Sobra akong totoong tao siguro andmakakasundo namin yung hindi namin ka-ugali. Kumbaga ino-augment namin yung iba-ibangstyles, may mabait, may masungit, may kuripot. Ganun kami kakulit pag nagsa-samasama kamiand hindi namin tinatago, hindi namin sinisekreto. Hindi naman namin pinu-push ang isa’t isa na gawin. Para silang magkakapatid, kumportable kami, walang ere, walang ka-plastikan. Andsobra naming mahal na mahal ang isa’t isa,” she said.

Even though she already knew John Prats from Star Magic, Angel said being part of Banana Split was what actually made them close friends. “Nung pumasok yung batch nila, si John talaga yung mas nakasundo ko kasi siguro si Camille (Prats) kaibigan ko na dati pa, nakikita kita ko siya. Sokumportable na ako sa kanya nung nandun na siya sa show. Tapos weekly kaming nagkikita, nagkakasama, ganyan. Mas naging close kaming dalawa at saka ni Camille (laughs). Siyempre siya kaibigan niya yung iba, parang naging bridge na rin siya para maging close kaming lahat,” she said.

Out of all the sketches in the show, Angelica said that her spoof of Kris Aquino with Jayson Gainza’s Boy Abunda has definitely become one of the most memorable ones in the show. “Well lahat naman nagulat. Kahit kami ni Jason nagulat kami. Binigay sa amin yung script and nung idini-delivernaman namin siya, nagulat kami na na-pull off namin ng ganun yung segment na yun andtumatak talaga siya sa mga tao kung paano namin ginaya si Tito Boy at si Ate Kris. Pero siyempre nakakatuwa kasi yun growth ng Banana Split hindi naman tumigil after nun. Nakakagawa kami ng panibagong segments na puwede namin i-poste din sa show katulad ng ‘Hot Issue’ na inaabangan ng mga tao na hindi puwedeng mawala. And mga dance number na ginagawa namin sa bagong Banana Split Extra Scoop dahil dahil simula nung nag-la-live kami dun talaga nahasa yung mga pagiging komedyante namin dahil yung feedback kasi ng mga tao nasa harapan niyo na kaya pag nakakatawa, naririnig mo silang tumatawa. Pag hindi naman, walang reaction so kailangan mabilis yung isip mo para mabawi mo,” she said.


Catch Angelica Panganiban during the month-long celebration of the fourth year anniversary of Banana Split every Saturday after Toda Max on ABS-CBN. By wanderer || Full Story: Kapamilyalogy

Karylle Hopes to Make it on Miss Saigon

Held at the Philippine Opera House in Makati, the auditions for Miss Saigon (to be staged in West End, London) brought out a lot of Filipino hopefuls who dream of following in the footsteps of Broadway superstar Lea Salonga. 60 were chosen out of the 420-plus singers who went through the first round of auditions last Monday, November 19.

One of the few who made the cut was Showtime host Karylle who was thrilled with the whole audition experience. “It’s so overwhelming. Kaya nga naiiyak ako after [my turn in the audition]. I’m just glad that they held the auditions here in the Philippines. Siyempre that speaks a lot about the Philippines,” said the singer-host who previously brought prestige to the country when she top-billed the Pan-Asian musical, The Kitchen Musical.

Aside from Karylle, there were also other celebrities who were given a call back for the second round of auditions today, November 21. Included in the 60 contenders are Rachelle Ann Go, K-La Rivera, Tippy Dos Santos, and OJ Mariano. “It’s a dream come true for me to audition. Lea Salonga is my idol,” said K-La. By wanderer || Full Story: Kapamilyalogy