New child star is born

A NEW child star is born and only time will tell whether Kristal Reyes will zoom to stardom the way “Mga Mata ni Anghelita” did to the late child actress, Julie Vega.

Kristal is a grade 5 student at Grace Christian Academy who has incurred several absences already due to taping schedules which are usually out of town. She has previously appeared in “Bakekang” and “Princess Charming” but admits that her role in “Mga Mata ni Anghelita” is a lot harder.

“Si Anghelita po kasi ay bulag na pinagkalooban ng Mahal na Birhen ng mga paningin. Ang hirap po ng role ko dahil sa sobrang pang-aapi sa akin dito. Para po ako magmukhang bulag, I have to wear white contact lenses na sobrang sakit po sa simula. Buti na lang, nasanay na rin po ako,” she says.

“Mga Mata ni Anghelita” started out as a radio serial in l974 and it ran for four years. Larry Santiago Productions adapted it into a movie in l978 and some of the big stars of that decade appeared in cameo roles, including Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Dolphy, Ramon Revilla , Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor.

GMA 7 deemed it appropriate to re-introduce “Mga Mata ni Anghelita” to televiewers of today and as part of their 57th anniversary celebration.

In a nutshell, Anghelita is an orphan who is perceived as a jinx and carrier of plagues by the townspeople. She seeks refuge in a church and finds a friend and protector in Gabriel, the hunchback. A miracle occurs and her eyesight is restored and gets to witness the evil and sinful ways of the people who made her daily life miserable.

Sheryl Cruz is cast as Magdalena who runs a gambling joint and maltreats Anghelita. She says she attacks her role in such a way that it would differ from her past villain portrayals. “This time I try to modulate my voice pero mapang-api pa rin ang dating ko,” Sheryl says.

By the way, Sheryl is proud of the fact that she starred in four movies that the late Julie Vega made during her time. “She was really a good actress and a phenomenon,” she remarks.
Remy Umerez
People's Journal