Angeline Quinto, occasional comic

ANGELINE with Sam Milby (right) and Paulo Avelino, her two leading men in “Kahit Konting Pagtingin”

A comedy bar seemed an unlikely place for a press con. But when Angeline Quinto, lead star of the coming romantic-comedy TV series, “Kahit Konting Pagtingin,” went up the Laffline stage, somehow things made sense.

Turned out, not only can Angeline hit the highest notes with aplomb; she can also deliver solid punch lines. What made the 23-year-old singer-actress even funnier was her innate sense of humor, which seemed unintentional for the most part.

Asked what brand of shoes she was wearing, Angeline almost innocently said, “Isulat niyo po Prada (Please write Prada).” When the crowd started laughing, she shrieked: “Prada nga po ’yan! (It’s really Prada!)”

Yummy boys

Since we were in a comedy bar, the questions came along the lines of “Who’s yummier between your two leading men on  ‘Kahit’—Sam Milby or Paulo Avelino?”

Angeline quipped, “I haven’t kissed Paulo, so I would say Sam. Si Sam kasi lasang imported!”

Amid riotous laughter, Angeline explained why Sam is the better choice to be her boyfriend: “Mas magiging maganda ang lahi namin. Kumbaga, asong askal, nalahian ng Maltese!”

Asked if she’d consider nibbling on Sam’s pan de sal (abs) for breakfast, she said: “Maybe for dinner, so I can sleep soundly after!”

A show biz scribe told Angeline she was lucky to have “tasted” Coco Martin. She quickly turned the tables: “Hindi ko po natikman si Coco Martin—Ako ang natikman ni Coco Martin!”

Before entertaining more questions, Angeline asked the reporters: “Do you have any song requests?”

No answer. So, she picked one herself—the throat-busting karaoke staple “Halik” by Aegis, And she belted it out sitting down!

Sounds like Regine

Much has been said about Angeline’s voice and how it sounds eerily similiar to that of Regine Velasquez. The similarity doesn’t end.

Some of Angeline’s mannerisms, such as the way she squints and furrows her brows when listening to a question, are just like Regine’s.

A self-confessed Regine fan, Angeline said the comparisons with her idol were inevitable. “My career is basically built upon being a fan of Miss Regine,” she said. “She’s one of my biggest inspirations. But I want to be known as Angeline; that’s why I’m doing everything I can to prove myself.”

But, she admitted that she had limitations—for instance, she’s a better singer than actress. “I feel nervous when I’m acting alongside veterans. I think that’s normal because I’m just a newbie,” she pointed out. “I found some scenes in ‘Kahit’ quite challenging. I always seek my seniors’ advice; I’m willing to learn and also to enjoy it.”

Angeline relates rather well to her character, Aurora, a bus conductor. “She is just like me—a simple girl who dreams big despite being poor. She’s tough, brave and will do anything for her family.”

Despite her hectic schedule, “having a love life” is on Angeline’s list this year. She’s not even dating anyone at the moment, she said. “People say a love love could inspire me to work better.”

And when the right guy comes? “Well, I don’t do anything much on Mondays, so maybe I can go out on dates then,” she said, laughing. “I’ll surely fix my schedule!”

Army of fans

After the press con, Angeline’s army of fans swarmed around her onstage, asking for photos and autographs. Not one to leave any of her admirers disappointed, Angeline patiently obliged.

Does she ever get tired mingling with fans? “It’s the other way around,” she shot back. “Being around my fans makes me forget my worries and the stresses of work.”

She continued: “They support me, no matter what. I will not take that for granted. They love me, so I love them back.”

Despite what she has achieved in her still-blossoming career, Angeline said, she still doesn’t consider herself famous. “Fame is a strong word. I’m thankful for what I have now. I’m nothing without my fans, and of course, God.”