Angela Muji dedicates ‘rise’ to her late mother

MANILA, Philippines, January 20 ------ Everything Angela Muji is today, she dedicates to her late mother, Lanie, whom she lost to cancer a few years ago. Long before the spotlight found Angela, her mother, Lanie, quietly cheered from behind the scenes as her daughter slipped into oversized heels and turned their dining table into her own stage. “Ako kasi, I really like joining pageants. Bata pa lang ako, kikay na talaga ako,” the rising actress shared in an episode of The Philippine STAR’s On The Rise on YouTube.

Those playful moments were never brushed off as childish dreams because her mom — a fashion designer and makeup artist who carried dreams she never fully got to chase — saw her potential. “Marami kasing pangarap yung mommy ko nung bata siya na hindi niya nagawa,” Angela shared. “So she made sure na lahat ng pangarap ko, magagawan niya ng paraan. She was supportive, super,” she added.

Some of Angela’s earliest memories are of being her mother’s “mini-me,” trying on her clothes, playing with her makeup, and walking in her heels. By the age of three, she was already singing, even if the words were pure gibberish. “Gumagawa ako ng stage sa dining table namin. Kumakanta ako kahit hindi pa marunong magsalita,” she laughed. Her love for entertainment grew naturally, sharing that watching Sarah Geronimo on television sparked her desire to sing. “Doon ko nakuha ‘yung gusto kong maging singer or artista,” Angela shared.

Acting followed soon after, when she joined her school’s drama club. “Doon ko na-realize na mas gusto ko talaga ‘yung acting,” she said. She idolized Kathryn Bernardo and later immersed herself in Wattpad stories, never imagining she would someday star in adaptations herself. Before acting opened its doors, Angela chased a different dream: P-pop. She joined three girl groups, starting at just 16, pouring in years of training, discipline, and sacrifice. “Ang dami kong na-sacrifice — school, friends, time,” she recalled. Recognition, however, was either slow or never came. “Somebody told me, bakit ka ba naggaganyan? Hindi ka naman relevant. Sayang lang time and effort mo,” she shared. “Parang tuloy lang ang laban para sa pangarap,” Angela would keep on reminding herself, despite the doubt creeping in.

Then came the most painful chapter of her life. Angela’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the height of the pandemic. Lockdowns delayed treatment, hospitals were inaccessible, and the battle stretched on for months. “Ayaw niyang sabihin. Everyone around me knew, except me. Ayaw niya talaga ipaalam sa akin. And I found out na nung nalaman pala na may cancer siya, Stage 3 na.”

Angela recalled the pain, sleepless nights, and the quiet strength her mother held onto just to stay longer. “She was only holding on para sa akin,” Angela shared. When her mother passed away in 2020, her world collapsed. “Siya lang ‘yung buong mundo ko. Losing her felt like my world stopped.”

Grief followed her everywhere — into school, rehearsals, and performances. There were moments she nearly gave up entirely. Supported by her family, friends, and faith, she kept going. “Marami talagang times na sumuko na ako. Pero, hindi ako completely nawala. Her breakthrough came unexpectedly with “Ang Mutya ng Section E.” “Kahit crowd lang, okay na ako,” she recalled, hoping for just a small opportunity through the series. Instead, she was cast as Rakki, a role that gradually introduced her to a wider audience. “Doon nagbago yung trajectory ng buhay ko,” she said.

Acting soon felt more fulfilling than performing in a group. Angela balanced workshops and tapings with her Communication Arts studies at the University of Sto. Tomas. Though often exhausted, she was determined. And in her quiet moments, she would speak to her mother: “Mama, ang hirap. Ikaw na bahala. Basta gagawin ko lang ‘yung best ko.” Another turning point came when she was cast opposite Rabin Angeles in “Seducing Drake Palma.” “Napaisigaw talaga ako nung nalaman ko,” shared Angela.

Working closely with Rabin helped her grow not just as an actress but as a person. “Wag ka magbasa ng hate comments. Because at the end of the day, who will benefit? Sila lang din. Ikaw maapektuhan. Pray ka lang lagi,” he often reminded her. Their chemistry carried over into another project: the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean film. “A Werewolf Boy,” now showing in cinemas. Preparing for the project pushed Angela emotionally and creatively, learning guitar, driving, and facing heavier scenes than ever before. “Kailangan kong ibaba yung pader ko at maging vulnerable,” she said.

Today, Angela still finds herself in awe of how far she’s come — from dreaming of small roles to leading a series and a film. “Malayo na, pero malayo pa. Mama, look how far we’ve come,” she said, turning emotional as she imagined her mother watching nearby, phone in hand, proudly taking photos of her. So, what’s next for Angela? “I feel like Angela will be the next big star,” she said, dreaming of working with Kathryn, Nadine Lustre and Sharon Cuneta. “It pays to wait,” Angela reflected, grateful for the hard work, sacrifices and perseverance that continue to guide her journey.

Source: philstar.com