Blessed Oreng - "...In Trudis, we were 800 plus during the audition. Tita Lolit (Lolita Rodriguez) and Tita Bella (Flores) talked to my mother. Siguro, natutuwa sa akin. They told her na kukurutin daw ako para umiyak pero kailangan daw sabihin ko ang lines ko. So, nakuha ako, kasi the other children forgot to say the dialogue when they started crying. I played Oreng, yung sister ni Trudis na kinagat ng aso. But I never became a dramatic actress, because I didn’t know how to cry. In one scene, inaagaw na yung baboy namin do’n, ipagbibili na ni Bella. When Ate Vi (Vilma Santos) cried, iyak na din ako pero boses lang. Wala talagang luha. Kakausapin na naman nila nanay ko. Kunwari papauwiin na ako. ‘Pag umiyak na ako, they would start shooting. After our scenes, Tito Luis (Gonzalez) and Tita Lolit would buy us Max chicken kasi pinahirapan nila kaming umiyak...As a child actress, wala akong hinanap na role na hindi napunta sa akin. Naranasan ko ang magka-buntot in “Anak ni Dyesebel”(1965), where I was the daughter of Dyesebel played by Eva Montes. Her mother naman was the original Dyesebel, Edna Luna. Naging anak din ako ni President Erap in “Panginoon ng Pantalan.” I was also able to act under Director Gerry de Leon in “Darna at ang Babaeng Tuod” (1964). I played Lucy, yung anak ng babaeng tuod...I chose television because I grew up on TV. I also promised my parents that I’d finish my studies. As a student I couldn’t cope with the demands of filmmaking because of the long hours of shooting and distant locations...We were very close as a family. That’s why all of us married late. Lahat kami, nakatapos...If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Ba’t ka maghahanap ng kapintasan? Instead of pointing out the other’s mistake, mention na lang the nice things na ginawa n’ya...I have no time for depression, kasi ang sarap-sarap ng buhay...And I enjoy what I’m doing. Even up to now, I feel I’m so blessed!..." - Gypsy Baldovino, Manila Bulletin, Aug 10 2009 (READ MORE)
Pulitika karugtong ng Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko - "...Bago siya pumalaot sa larangan ng pulitika, una siyang nakilala bilang co-host ng Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko – ang malawakang programa sa telebisyon na napakarami nang dukha ng siyudad na natutulungan. Ang naturang programa ay naging stepping stone din ni Senador Orly Mercado tungo sa larangan ng pulitika. Maging sa pangarap ay hindi sumagi kay Vice Mayor, na dati ring artista, na ang Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko ay si- yang maghahatid sa kanya sa daigdig ng pulitika. Sa mungkahi ni Senador Mercado ay sinubukan niyang tumakbo para konsehal sa third district – at hindi naman siya nabigo. Ganun din ang kanyang mga constituents na nagtiwala sa kanya at ginawa siyang number one councilor nuong 1992. Ang pulitika, sang-ayon kay Vice Mayor ay karugtong lamang ng kanyang patuloy na public service program upang higit na makahatid ng serbisyo sa mga mahihirap na mamamayan ng lungsod..." - The Philippine Star (READ MORE)
Younger People and New Media - "...This was the gist of the message conveyed by TV’s pioneering public service program, “Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (KKMK).” Hosts Orly Mercado and Connie Angeles, both former politicians who quit politics for good, met the press recently and shared their show’s colorful history and promising future in the midst of their engagement, finally, to Internet revolution. The 35-year-old show which GMA-7 still airs Saturdays from 5:30 to 6 a.m., has made use of social networking sites, namely, Facebook and Twitter. With its website (www.kapwako.org) now in operation, this long-standing program has gained new followers through multi-media health-related content. “We’re trying to get the interest of the younger people through the new media,” expressed Mercado, who proudly stated that his three and a half decade TV program has been able to finally adapt and morph in accordance to the demand of today’s world. KKMK is having a fruitful year thus far, having facilitated Ventriculo-Peritoneal (VP) Shunting surgery (implanting of tube in a patient’s skull to drain excess brain fluid) to three hydrocephalus victims, as well as administered medical missions (with the help of SM Foundation) to more than 30,000 people in poor communities..." - Yugel Losorata, Manila Bulletin, Jul 16 2011 (READ MORE)
Is this it? - “...It was in 1983 when I received a call from Orly Mercado and offered me a simple job, to pitch-hit for his co-hosts who can’t make it to the recording of the show Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. Mr. Mercado is the founding president of Kapwa. Of course, I said sure. I was happy doing it when suddenly all the hosts were coming in,” Angeles narrates. “I ask myself ‘is this it?’ So I came to Mr. Mercado and told him that I was enjoying my job and I don’t want to leave the show anymore because aside from really enjoying Kapwa, I, too, was learning so many things. And he said yes!” From that time, Angeles became a regular host of the show and until now, she is one of the figures of Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. “Even when I became a councilor, vice mayor and mayor of Quezon City, I didn’t leave the show,” she quips. “There’s another level of fulfillment that I get from doing Kapwa. I served in the politics for nice years and though I was also doing a lot of public service for my constituents, doing Kapwa gives me more happiness.” With her very lady-like conduct, a genuine smile for everyone who greets her, Angeles truly has a heart for reaching out to those who are in need. While many politicians don’t want to leave their posts in the government, Angeles opted to be different. “I think nine years in the government was good enough to help other people,” she claims. “I was happy being a public servant of Quezon City, but you know, in politics, helping your constituents is sometimes given other meaning. And the fulfillment you are supposed to enjoy is sometimes compromised. It’s hard to see people being unhappy when they see you help others aside from them.” She may not be called to serve the Church, but she definitely has a calling. In 2001 another opportunity to continue what she’s been doing came through SM Foundation Inc. “My sister Christy was already working for SM Foundation before I came in, so I am very familiar with what the foundation’s thrusts and projects were at the time I joined the organization. And even before I joined the company, I was really interested because Christy was telling me all the things they have been doing...” - Eleanor A. Leyco, Business Mirror, March 21 2013 (READ MORE)
Connie Angeles, Born in 1956, actress, politician, public servant, who played Oreng, the younger sister to Vilma Santos' Trudis in 1963 film "Trudis Liit," She gradually became a teen idol in the 70s after a successful career as child star. During this period, she recorded several songs under Vicor and Villar Records and also starred in teen flicks. She was also paired with the younger brother of Tirso Cruz III, Woody Cruz, atleast in the small screen via Ike Lozada's show Big Ike's Happening. The following decades transformed her career, concentrating more in public service while completing her studies (She eventually recieved a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Philosophy at University of the Philippines). In the 1980s, together with actresses Boots Anson Roa, Susan Valdez, Cielito del Mundo, Connie Angeles co-anchored the television public service program, Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko. She entered politics in 1990s becoming councilor and then the second female vice mayor of Quenzon City. Connie stated that “Kapwa ko, Mahal Ko" played a major role in her political career. Since 2004, Connie Angeles has been the public face of the show specially during Orly's (Co-host, and fellow politician, Orly Mercado) teaching stint in Kobe, Japan. Currently, Angeles is the Executive Director of SM Foundation and the Vice President of SM Investments, Inc. - RV
Connie Angeles and Vilma Santos - Mostly played supporting roles during her film career, Connie Angeles has some similar career paths just like her older sister in their debut film. After "Trudis Liit" in 1963 both became in demand child stars. Connie did several films with dramatic greats like, Eddie Rodriguez, Boots Anson Roa, and Amalia Fuentez. She may not given the chance to wear the Darna custome like Vi but was lucky enough to be a little mermaid in "Anak ni Dyesebel" with Eva Montes. Afte her stint as a child star, and just like Vi, she slowly became one of the singing teen stars of the 70's. She played several supporting roles in these musical era and even recorded songs for her fans. She then ventured in television doing public service program with Orly Mercado, Mildred Ortega and Cielito Del Mundo. Later, Like Vi, Connie became a beloved public servant, Vi as Mayor of Lipa City and now Governor of Batangas while Connie was a city counsilor and then the only second female vice mayor of Quezon City.
- Bato sa Buhangin (1976) - Connie Angeles played best friend to a spoiled but terminally sick Vilma Santos. FPJ was Vi's leading man (READ MORE).
- Hotdog: Unang Kagat (1975) - Both Connie and Vi played cameo role to the folk singer/musical band Hotdog, FPJ also appeared in cameo (READ MORE).
- Ikaw Lamang (1973) - Eddie Rodriguez directed Vi and teen idol Paolo Romero, Connie played supporting role together with dramatic veterans Eddie Garcia, Vic Silayan (READ MORE).
- Ding Dong (1970) - Mar S. Torres directed Vi and Tirso Cruz III in title role, Connie Angeles played supports. The films was a Pablo S. Gomez story adapted from serialized comics published from United Komiks.
- Trudis Liit (1963) - Adapted from Mars Ravelo's comics, Vi played the title role, Trudis while Connie played Oreng, Trudis' little sister. Luis Gonzales, Lolita Rodriguez played the parents while Bella Flores was the villain (READ MORE).
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