Angel Locsin will be a big loss to GMA 7

The way things are going, many now believe that Angel Locsin is not renewing her contract with her home studio, GMA Network (which, according to our sour-ces, isn’t also prone to sign her up anew). The popular perception is that she will soon join ABS-CBN.

If this is true, GMA 7 would be suffering a great loss. Because Angel is a proven bankable actress, having brought millions to the network through her toprating TV projects. Her movies have also been box-office hits. Indeed, there’s no contesting the fact that Angel is the hottest star of her generation.

. One with a wholesome reputation and a sought-after image model too, and foremost she’s one with a big heart.

Angel has done charity and humanitarian work many times in the recent past but she doesn’t want them known or publicized. But just to prove this, we’d like to share something that has endeared her to us. There was a boy suffering from terminal cancer whose one big wish was to see in person his idol, Darna (Angel). Someone facilitated their meeting and Angel not only made the boy deliriously happy with her presence (she took precious time off her busy shooting schedule for a movie), she also brought him various gifts that included a Bible. She spent some time with boy, reading him verses from the Bible while encouraging him with kind, loving words.

Then, there’s Angel’s involvement with C.R.I.B.S. Fountation, a charitable organization for children.

But going back to Angel’s falling out with her home studio, the insistent buzz is that she’s not renewing her contract and that her manager has been negotiating with ABS-CBN. If indeed there’s a negotiation going on, why won’t ABS-CBN refuse to take someone already "made," one who won’t be needing any buildup, in fact the hottest star today?

So it’s now expected that Angel will be joining ABS-CBN’s roster of talents. But first, she’ll have to go to London (from LA she proceeded there last Saturday the time her manager, Ms. Becky Aguila, also left Manila for the UK) to study fashion design. Angel plans to put up her own sportswear line in the near future.

Speaking of contracts, a reliable source told us that in the contracts between GMA Network and their talents, it is stipulated that a talent has the right to refuse a project, if the reason is the pursue of education. Angel wanted to study in London, and this is why she couldn’t do "Marimar" and a movie for GMA Films. Her refusal to commit herself to the "Marimar" project reportedly incurred her the ire of GMA Network top execs. It was soon announced that "Marimar" was never offered to Angel.

And now, Marian Rivera, who got the role, is being touted as the next Angel Locsin. Which, for all her worth, Angel doesn’t deserve such unfair referral, we believe.

Angel’s loyalty was also being attacked, but loyalty should work both ways. Angel has worked so hard, and many believe the studio burnt her out with so many projects. Now she needs a break; isn’t she entitled to one? Why, it was asked, can’t GMA 7 protect and support her from the barrage of bad publicity?

By the way, once upon a time, Angel already tried to join ABS-CBN, we were told. She auditioned for a batch with Star Circle and did workshops already but wasn’t chosen to be launched.
Manila Bulletin