Angelica Locsin Colmenares (born April 23, 1985) is a Filipino actress and humanitarian. She is known for her dramatic roles and portrayals of heroines and mythological characters in film and television. She is a recipient ofvarious accolades, including fourStar Awards, threeFAMAS Awards, twoBox Office Entertainment Awards, and aLuna Award.
Born inSanta Maria, Bulacan, Locsin attended theUniversity of Santo Tomas Junior High School. She began her acting career in the early 2000s by appearing in supporting roles on screen. She had her breakthrough as the avian-human hybrid protagonist in the fantasy seriesMulawin (2004), before starring as thetitular superhero in theRavelo Komiks Universe seriesDarna (2005) to critical acclaim. For her role as a fledglinglycanthrope in the supernatural drama seriesLobo (2008), Locsin earned anInternational Emmy Award nomination forBest Actress. She appeared in well-received romantic dramas, such asLove Me Again (2009),In the Name of Love (2011), andUnofficially Yours (2012), the last of which is Locsin'shighest-grossing release to date. The family dramaOne More Try (2012), in which she played a single mother caring for her sick son, garnered her Best Actress wins at the Box Office Entertainment, FAMAS, Luna, and Star Awards. She received a Star Award for Best Drama Actress for her portrayal of an indoctrinated military nurse in the spy-action thriller seriesThe General's Daughter (2019).
Angelica Locsin Colmenares was born on April 23, 1985, inSanta Maria, Bulacan, to Angelo and Emma Colmenares.[1][2] Locsin's father was a swimmer who earned a bronze medal when the Philippine team won the4×200-meter freestyle relay during the1954 Asian Games in Manila.[3][4] She has two younger siblings: Ella and Angelo.[1] Locsin is reluctant to publicly discuss her family background;[2] she was estranged from her mother until 2007,[2] and has ties to a noble family inMarawi, Lanao del Sur, through her maternal relatives.[5] Locsin and her siblings were raised by their father,[6] who was later diagnosed with complete blindness.[3][7] Locsin has said she regrets not being able to financially provide for her father's treatment at the onset of his condition.[7] She shares a close bond with her father and credits him as "instrumental" to her achievements.[3]
Locsin was educated at theUniversity of Santo Tomas High School, where she was a member of the varsity swimming team.[8] During this period, she was spotted running errands atSM City North EDSA by a talent scout, who arranged for her to audition for television commercials.[9] After high school, she pursued acting and attended workshops underABS-CBN's talent management armStar Magic. She then unsuccessfully auditioned for a role in the teen seriesG-mik (1999).[10]
Locsin's breakthrough role came as the avian-human hybrid protagonist in the fantasy action seriesMulawin (2004).[17] GMA Network executive Redgie Magno initially approachedMaxene Magalona for the part, but offered Locsin the role at Magalona's suggestion.[18]Dominic Zapata, the show's director, intended the concept of mythology to be a "break fromTagalizedsoaps", but also kept its "novelty" focused on the lead characters.[17] The following year, Locsin starred as thetitular superhero in theRavelo Komiks Universe[a] seriesDarna (2005), based onMars Ravelo's comics superheroine of the same name.[20] Locsin was initially hesitant about the part because it required her to drop out ofMulawin, and she felt the series would end prematurely if she left.[21] Locsin agreed to the project after network executives convinced her to take the part.[21] She trained inkarate,wushu, andstreet fighting to prepare.[22] The series garnered positive reviews,[23][24][25] with praise for Locsin's portrayal;Nestor Torre Jr. of thePhilippine Daily Inquirer described the production as modern and trailblazing,[23] and commended Locsin's "strong presence".[26] Similarly,Pepe Diokno, also from thePhilippine Daily Inquirer, wrote that "the [show's] success can be attributed to [Locsin], as she attracts every block and wing of Pinoy society."[24] During its premiere,Darna received the highestNielsen ratings for a Filipino television series pilot episode with a reported 47.1percent viewership.[27] Later that year, Locsin reprised the role of Alwina inMulawin's film adaptation.[28]
In 2006, Locsin starred as a sorceress in the fantasy seriesMajika alongsideDennis Trillo.[29] In preparation for the part, she trained extensively inhorseback riding with co-star and equestrienneMikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.[30] The show was a critical disappointment;[31] Torre labeled it "less than magical":[32] "Unfortunately, the show is so visuals-driven that the gifted actors don't really have much opportunity to show what they can do."[32] Locsin was in three releases withRichard Gutierrez from 2006 to 2007. In the first, she starred inMac Alejandre's romantic comedyI Will Always Love You as the love interest of Gutierrez's character.[33][34] She then appeared in the fifth installment of the Mano Po film series,Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di (2006).[35] In thecoming-of-age dramaThe Promise (2007), loosely based onEmily Brontë's 1847 novelWuthering Heights,[36] Locsin portrayed a woman who falls in love with her adoptive brother.[36][37] The film and her performance received negative reviews from critics; thePhilippine Daily Inquirer thought Locsin's transition to adult roles was rushed, "inadequate" and "embarrassing",[38] while critic Elyas Salanga found the film's narrative "typical" and "cliché".[37] Next, she was cast oppositeRobin Padilla in the action adventure seriesAsian Treasures (2007).[39][40] She then played a facially disfigured victim of abuse in an episode of the anthology seriesMaalaala Mo Kaya.[41] Locsin's performance earned her aStar Award for Best Single Performance by an Actress.[42]
Locsin rejected the title role in the television remake ofMarimar after signing on to ABS-CBN's 2008 supernatural drama seriesLobo.[43] She portrayed Lyka Raymundo, a fledglinglycanthrope caught up in a war between factions ofwerewolves.[44][45] She found the project challenging but felt the experience improved her acting methods.[46] She received anInternational Emmy Award nomination forBest Actress for the series.[47] Set inBukidnon andDarwin, Northern Territory, theRory Quintos-directed romantic dramaLove Me Again (2009) featured Locsin andPiolo Pascual as ranchers going through financial struggles.[48] Locsin, who is the sole breadwinner of her family, believed certain aspects of her character's life mirrored her own.[48] Film critic Karen Caliwara called Locsin's performance an improvement from her previous releases and found "maturity in her portrayal".[49] In April 2009, she reunited with Quintos for the comedy series remakeOnly You, based on theeponymous original Korean show.[50]
Locsin portrayed the role of Lia Ortega, the daughter of her lycan character in the second installment of theLobo series,Imortal (2010).[44] In a review of the show, Bayani San Diego of thePhilippine Daily Inquirer drew similarities betweenImortal's vampire and werewolf fiction and that ofThe Twilight Saga,[51] he added that "creatures of the dark are all the rage today, given the popularity ofTrue Blood andThe Vampire Diaries."[51] Journalist Earl Villanueva, however, commended Locsin's character and storyline for its "easy transition into a logical sequel", and said the series "seems to be on the right track".[52] Locsin's only film appearance in 2011 was in thestar-crossed romantic dramaIn the Name of Love with directorOlivia Lamasan,[53] whose collaboration she found gratifying: "I've learned a lot, especially as to how film acting should be done... How you use your eyes, your position, and how you maximize camera angles... I didn't know those things before."[54] To prepare for the role of acourtesan,[53] she learned different styles ofballroom dances and trained inpole dance for three months.[54][55] Critic Julia Allende praised her portrayal, and pairing withAga Muhlach, describing it as "the most daring she [Locsin] has ever played" and deemed it a "beautifully nuanced performance".[54] Locsin won theStar Award for Best Actress and theBox Office Entertainment Award for Film Actress of the Year for her role.[56][57] Later that year, Locsin co-starred withVhong Navarro in the sitcomToda Max.[44]
The romantic comedyUnofficially Yours, directed byCathy Garcia-Molina, was Locsin's first film release of 2012.[58] Co-starringJohn Lloyd Cruz, it featured her as a sexually promiscuous journalist afraid of commitment.[59] Although the response to the film was mixed, critics were highly appreciative of Locsin's and Cruz's performances; Bibsy Carballo ofThe Philippine Star highlighted that "their characterizations are sharp, their dialogue smart and modern", but dismissed the film's plot as unoriginal.[60] Writing for thePhilippine Daily Inquirer, Torre found the leads' portrayals to be "earnest" and "committed".[61] The film became Locsin's biggest commercial success to date, earning₱194million (US$4.59million) at the box office.[62] The2012 Metro Manila Film Festival saw the release ofOne More Try, a family drama about a single mother, played by Locsin, forced to reconnect with her estranged husband to be their son'sstem cell donor.[63] Her performance was well received by critics; film reviewer Mark Ching called it "praise-worthy" and "formidable",[63] while Torre believed her portrayal showed "no such inhibiting problem".[64] Locsin was awarded theBox Office Entertainment,[65]FAMAS,[66]Luna,[67] andStar Award for Best Actress for the role.[68]
In 2013, Locsin featured in the ensemble comedy dramaFour Sisters and a Wedding.[69] She starred alongsideBea Alonzo,Shaina Magdayao, andToni Gonzaga, as siblings with deliberate plans to prevent their brother from getting married.[70] Rito Asilo of thePhilippine Daily Inquirer was particularly impressed with her performance, writing, "[Locsin] also does well in a focused portrayal that is devoid of ego and vanity, you can sense her stepping back when the spotlight is on her co-actresses."[71]Rappler's Carljoe Javier opined that Locsin and Alonzo "lent an emotional gravity to the film".[72]Four Sisters and a Wedding was a commercial success, grossing₱175million (US$4.12million) at the box office.[73] For the film, Locsin received FAMAS and Star Award nominations for Best Actress.[74][75] She returned to television playing the lead role in the drama seriesThe Legal Wife (2014).[44] ThePhilippine Daily Inquirer was critical of the show's "mundane" and "predictable" theme,[76] and Torre found Locsin's acting to be intolerable and "too livid".[77]
After a one-year absence on screen, Locsin appeared in three productions in 2016. Her first release wasJoyce Bernal'sEverything About Her, a comedy drama co-starringVilma Santos.[78] Stephanie Mayo of theDaily Tribune termed Locsin's and Santos's portrayals as "effortless, natural, and searing";[79]The Philippine Star lauded the cast's acting as "compelling" and called the film a "finely-crafted family drama".[80] At theAsia-Pacific Film Festival, Locsin won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.[81] She then served as a judge on thefifth season of the reality talent competition showPilipinas Got Talent, based on theoriginal British show franchise.[82] Her final appearance that year was inThe Third Party, a comedy that depicts the complex relationship in athrouple.[83] Asilo dismissed the film as "more derivative than inventive" and stated that Locsin is "weighed down by her pushed, staccato delivery, and relies too much on knee-jerk realizations".[84]Philbert Dy ofClickTheCity.com wrote, "[The film] seems to make its characters cry in lieu of telling their stories, or letting them hash out the complexity of what they're feeling."[85]
The final installment of theLobo series,La Luna Sangre, was Locsin's only screen appearance in 2017.[86] She reprised the part of Lia Ortega fromImortal in the premiere episode,[86][87] and later returned in a guest role as a vigilante vampire named Jacintha Magsaysay.[88] In January 2018, she returned as a judge for thesixth season ofPilipinas Got Talent.[89] Locsin began 2019 by starring in the spy-action thriller seriesThe General's Daughter, in which she played an indoctrinated military nurse.[90] She volunteered at theArmed Forces of the Philippines General Hospital before filming began, and in preparation, trained inKrav Maga,Muay Thai, andknife fighting.[91] Locsin said of her approach to portraying roles outside mythology genres, "I try to humanize my character. Rhian is not a superhero. She has no powers. She has struggles, she has mistakes, she falls down, she fails, but she doesn't give up."[92] Mozart Pastrano of thePhilippine Daily Inquirer wrote of Locsin's performance, "She brought moral gravitas to her role, displaying her luminous looks, as well as uncommon physical stamina and skills."[93] She received a Star Award and a Box Office Entertainment Award for Best Actress.[94][95] In June 2020, Locsin hosted thepublic service showIba Yan.[96]
Locsin has advocated for children's education.[97][99] She has funded scholarships and personally contributed overUS$300,000 to the cause.[99] A vocal supporter ofwomen's rights andgender equality,[99] she has spoken about the stigma women face, "We're still in that stage. It is upsetting that, for me, we still lack efforts to prevent that [stigma] especially in our workplace, to have a comfortable and safe place for women."[107] She also actively supportsLGBT rights and describes herself as a "proud ally".[108] In June2015, she voiced her approval of same-sex marriage, stating, "We should show respect, sensitivity, & compassion to one another... I'm not going to deny my LGBT friends the protection that straight people get... think of insurances, healthcare".[109] Locsin has participated in a campaign againstdomestic violence.[110] In 2020, she partnered with theUnited States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Lunas Collective, a hotline for survivors and victims of domestic abuse, to raise awareness and promote international cooperation.[110]
Locsin first witnessed the plight of the indigenousLumads during a visit in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, to reconnect with her maternal relatives in 2009,[111] an experience she later credited with having brought her a greater understanding of the situation.[111][112] In 2015, she voiced her opposition and outrage amidst the violence andextrajudicial killings of the Lumads at the hands ofparamilitary forces.[111] During the2017 siege in Marawi, an estimated 200,000 residents were forced to leave their homes,[113] including 2,500 Lumads.[114] In the following weeks, Locsin travelled to Mindanao and met withinternally displaced persons at settlement camps inBaloi,Iligan, and Marawi, where she provided food supplies and financial aid.[115]
Locsin has received wide recognition for her humanitarian work. In December 2019,Forbes magazine named her one of Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy for a decade of contributions to various philanthropic causes,[97] and she was appointed an Ambassador for Peace and a Humanitarian Advocate by the Gawad Filipino Awards.[116] She was recognized byTatler magazine as one of Asia's Leaders of Tomorrow in the publication's annual Gen T list in October 2020.[117] The following year, Locsin received the inaugural Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Philippine Red Cross.[98]
Locsin is often regarded by critics as one of the "most sought after leading ladies" on film and television in the Philippines,[118][119] and has been cited as one of the "greatest movie actresses" in the last decade byYes! magazine.[119] She has appeared in a range of film genres, but generally played roles in mainstream productions.[119] Media critic James Anarcon praised her for being the rare actress who "allowed herself to be deglamorized".[119]Metro magazine noted that as a young actress on the teen seriesClick, Locsin plays the "boyish but charming girl-next-door, which is not unlike the star's real down-to-earth persona".[120] Locsin has said she bases her acting approach on her observations of people around her: "I guess part of being an actor is learning how to be sensitive to the needs of people... I always do research before taking on a role. As a result, I become more aware of what people outside my line of work are going through."[121]
Early in her career, Locsin specialized in portraying heroines and mythological characters in fantasy and supernatural genres.[92][120] Nathalie Tomada ofThe Philippine Star wrote, "No other actress but [Locsin], who first shot to fame throughfantaseryes, can claim a record of strong and kickass female roles as extensive as hers."[92] An interest in portraying an "action figure that departs from the sexy stereotype" has led Locsin to these roles.[92] Locsin asserted, "You should not be limited to certain things".[92] Meanwhile, writer Rommel Llanes dispelled the perception that portraying superheroes could hurt an actor's career, stating that Locsin is one of those exceptions.[119] HerDarna co-starCelia Rodriguez called her "the best... bar none", saying, "She is perfect for the role. She had the figure for it. She was fearless. She refused to have a double even when portions of her body were badly hurt by the harness."[122] Similarly,The Philippine Star considered Locsin as the "most fitting actress to have slipped on the iconic red suit and crest".[123] Cathy Garcia-Molina, who directed Locsin inLa Luna Sangre, and Robin Padilla, her co-star inAsian Treasures, commended her for doing her own stunts.[124][125]
The media has described Locsin as the "real-life Darna" and an "angel in disguise" for her volunteerism and charitable work.[126][127][128] Writing forMega magazine, Rose Estellas lauded her for having the "heart to serve others" and for using her "influence and platform to continuously help and change the lives of Filipinos".[129] Commenting on her off-screen persona, journalist Gerry Plaza wrote that she is "simple, unfiltered, unassuming".[130] Locsin said, "I have no hero complex. I just believe that when there's a will there's a way. I will continue to help in different ways. Helping doesn't always have to involve giving away money."[126]
Since her portrayal of the superhero Darna, Locsin has been cited as asex symbol by many sources,[131][132] includingFHM Philippines who named her the world's sexiest woman in 2005 and 2010.[133] She has been included inYes! magazine's annual beauty list in 2009, 2014, 2016, and 2018.[134] In December 2011, Locsin received a star on thePhilippines Walk of Fame.[135]
Locsin was in a relationship with actorMiko Sotto for six months until he died from a falling accident at his high-rise apartment building inMandaluyong in December 2003.[136] Locsin said of his death: "I had to let go no matter how hard and painful it was... I have to go on living".[137] From 2005 to 2016, Locsin was romantically involved with high-profile personalities, including Miko Sotto's cousinOyo Boy Sotto,[138] herMajika co-star Dennis Trillo,[22] former footballerPhil Younghusband,[139] and actorLuis Manzano.[140] In September 2017, Locsin began datingprofessional poker player andfilm producer Neil Arce.[141][142] They became engaged in June 2019 and married two years later in a civil ceremony on July 26, 2021.[142][143]
At the end of March 2022, Locsin opened up that she and husband were not planning on having a baby yet as she was still treating a health problem with her thyroid.[144]
According to the box-office siteBox Office Mojo, Locsin's most commercially successful films includeLove Me Again,In the Name of Love,Unofficially Yours,Four Sisters and a Wedding, andEverything About Her.[145]
Locsin has been named Best Supporting Actress at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival forEverything About Her.[81] For her role inOne More Try, she was awarded the Box Office Entertainment, FAMAS, Luna and Star Award for Best Actress.[65][66][67][68] She received a Box Office Entertainment and Star Award forIn the Name of Love.[57][56] In addition, for her role in the television seriesThe General's Daughter, she received a Star Award for Best Actress, and won TV Actress of the Year and Best Acting Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Box Office Entertainment Awards.[94][95]
^abAnarcon, James Patrick (January 11, 2022)."Click Batch 2: Where are they now?". Philippine Entertainment Portal.Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. RetrievedMarch 6, 2022.
^Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (January 30, 2008)."Behind the scenes of Lobo". Philippine Entertainment Portal.Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. RetrievedMay 3, 2022.
^abChing, Mark Angelo (January 2, 2013)."MMFF Review: One More Try". Philippine Entertainment Portal.Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. RetrievedMarch 6, 2022.
.jpg)
