Angelika Dela Cruz

Angelika Dela Cruz
Birth name	Maria Lourdes Egger de la Cruz-Casareo
Also known as	Shine
Born	(1981-10-29) 29 October 1981 Quezon City, Philippines
Genres	Pop, OPM, R&B
Occupation(s)	Actress, Singer, Host
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Star Magic (1995–1997; 2003–2007)

Maria Lourdes Egger Dela Cruz-Casareo, better known by her screen name Angelika Dela Cruz (born 29 October 1981), is a Filipina actress and singer. She started her career in 1995, and has since appeared in television shows and movies. Originally with ABS-CBN from 1995-1999 and again from 2003-2007, she became a contract artist under GMA Network in 1999-2003 and again in 2007-present.

Personal life

Angelika Dela Cruz was born to a Filipino father Ernie Dela Cruz and an Italian-Austrian mother Angelica Egger. She has also a younger sister, Mika Dela Cruz, who is also an actress, and two brothers, Erick and Edward, one of the lead singers of the boy band "Freshmen" who died in a vehicular accident in June 7, 2010. She is currently the Chairwoman of Barangay Longos in Malabon.

She was romantically linked to actors Jericho Rosales, Victor Neri and the late Miko Sotto. Actors Derek Ramsay and Keempee de Leon admitted to have courted Dela Cruz at some point.

In an episode of Showbiz Central, de la Cruz admitted that she had married Orion Casareo in August 2008 and was expecting a child. She gave birth to Gabriel Casareo on March 22 via caesarian section.

Acting career

Early success

Dela Cruz gained notice when she won Best New Actress of the year award at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies for her very first movie Nights of Serafina. ABS-CBN saw her potential as an actress and cast her in Mara Clara with Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes.

She was also cast in other youth-oriented movies such as Istokwa with Mark Anthony Fernandez and was launched as the lead star in Huwag Mo Nang Itanong and Seventeen... So Kaka. She received critical acclaim in the movie Manananggal ng Manila which she starred alongside Alma Conception, Tonton Gutierrez, Eric Fructuoso and Aiza Seguerra. She was once again able to work with Judy Ann Santos in the primetime drama series Esperanza which made her a household name. In the series, she was first paired to Spencer Reyes however, their tandem was not accepted by the viewers so ABS CBN paired her to actor Jericho Rosales. Her team-up with Rosales made its way to the big screen via Magandang Hatinggabi a movie produced by Star Cinema and other television projects such as the teen-oriented horror series Oka Tokat, Star Drama Theater anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya and Flames. They also became regulars in ASAP and Magandang Tanghali Bayan.

Breakthrough

After working with ABS-CBN, dela Cruz tried her luck in ABS CBN's rival GMA Network. The network cast her in shows including primetime mini-series Di Ba't Ikaw, noontime variety show SOP and action-fantasy series Pintados. She was able to showcase her acting ability by playing the lead role in the mini-series Liwanag Ng Hatinggabi with award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino and in Umulan Man O Umaraw. Her breakout role came when she was cast as the lead star of the primetime television series Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin. The show became a huge success and crowned her as the Soap Opera Princess of GMA. She also appeared in the teen-oriented show Click but due to her rising popularity, she was pulled out from the show.

After the success of Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, she once again headlined another primetime drama entitled Habang Kapiling Ka opposite Victor Neri. Her outstanding performance in the series gave her a Best Actress nomination at the 2003 PMPC Star Awards for TV. Dela Cruz also took part and matured in movies. In 2000, she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the movie Deathrow, an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. She also played the lead in the action-drama movie Hari Ng Selda alongside Robin Padilla and the comedy film S2pid Luv with rapper Andrew E. Both were under Viva Films.

After her contract with GMA expired in 2003, dela Cruz moved back to ABS-CBN and teamed-up with her former on-and-off screen partner Jericho Rosales in the hit TV series Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas with Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa. The series became one of the most watched shows in primetime and its popularity has reached abroad. Dela Cruz who played an optimistic and talented young lady who became romantically involved with the character played by Jericho Rosales was applauded by both viewers and critics. After the success of Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas, Dela Cruz was cast in another primetime television drama called Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin where she shared the screen with Star Magic's brightest talents such as Claudine Barretto, John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao and Bea Alonzo. She also appeared as one of the main hosts of the showbiz-oriented talk show Entertainment Konek and Sunday variety show ASAP.

Villainous and present roles

Her career took a different direction in 2006 when she played an anti-heroine role to Sarah Geronimo in the hit drama series Bituing Walang Ningning, a TV adaptation of a 1980s hit movie starring Cherie Gil and Sharon Cuneta. Her superb performance as Lavinia Arguelles won her a Best Actress nomination at the 2007 PMPC Star Awards for Television and a Best Actress award in Gawad Amerika. She later appeared as Kristine Hermosa's ambitious twin sister in the afternoon drama Prinsesa ng Banyera.

In 2008, dela Cruz signed up with GMA Network and made a comeback via primetime drama series Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita where she played the role of Via Fausto, the main antagonist in the story. The series gave her the opportunity to work again with her previous co-stars such as Marvin Agustin, Tonton Gutierrez and Dina Bonnevie. Later that year, she was given another antagonist role in the afternoon drama series Una Kang Naging Akin which became a consistent top rater in the ratings game. In October of the year, she was cast as the scheming ex-girlfriend of JC de Vera in the primetime series LaLola.

After giving birth, dela Cruz returned to the screen by playing Iza Calzado's good-hearted sister in the afternoon drama series Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit. She most recently appeared in the primetime series Pilyang Kerubin, fantasy series Dwarfina,the comedy series Futbolilits. She made a guest appearance on the pilot episode of Kokak before being cast as one of the leads in the primetime drama series Biritera in which she received positive reviews. After playing a good character in Biritera, she went back to playing villainous roles in the afternoon drama series Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka? and in the primetime fantasy series Aso ni San Roque.

Singing career

Despite an active career in acting, Angelika made her first mark in showbiz through her musical talent for singing. In 1994, at the age of 14 she sang the theme song for the Tagalog dub of Sailor Moon which begin airing in October 1994 on ABC-5. The song was a variation of "Moonlight Densetsu" and the Tagalog lyrics were written by Vehnee Saturno. In 1996, she released a 10-track self-titled album under BMG Records followed by a second album entitled My Only Wish three years later. She also

Angelika’s soothing voice soon caught Imperial Records’ attention. The Japanese label then tapped the singer-actress to record a few songs, which eventually gained international fame and earned for her a budding name in Japan.

To give way to her flourishing acting career, Angelika’s singing streak took a hiatus for years, until she later managed to sing once again in 2006 when she was included in the soundtrack of her television starrer Bituing Walang Ningning. She recorded two songs for the series: Miss Na Miss Kita and Dito Ba? featuring Sarah Geronimo.

Lawsuit Against BMG Music

On March 17, 1995, de la Cruz (Lourdes Egger dela Cruz in real life) signed a contract with BMG under which she was required to record at least two albums over three years. But Dela Cruz only recorded one album during the period so BMG exercised on March 23, 1998 its option to extend the contract for two more years.

She was required to record one album, which she was able to do. Despite the expiration of the option period, on May 8, 2000, BMG informed her she still had to record one album under the option period.

On June 5, 2001, Dela Cruz sued and asked for damages, claiming that after recording one album BMG never gave her any proposal for a second one and that despite the lapse of the option period, the firm refused to release her on the ground that she still had to record one album.

The RTC found merit in Dela Cruz’ petition, awarding her payment for damages, and the payment of royalties for the unfulfilled number of required songs under the agreement but BMG appealed the case and CA ruled in Dela Cruz’ favor.

However, CA deleted the lower court’s award to Dela Cruz of P1.5 million in actual damages, P200,000 in moral damages, another P200,000 in exemplary damages, as well as P50,000 in attorney’s fees.

The CA said there was no evidence to support the award of actual, moral and exemplary damages. And since both parties have legitimate claims to each other, CA said the award of attorney’s fees was not warranted.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
2016	The Abandoned	Evelyn Esguerra	GMA Network
2015	Healing Hearts	Nimfa
	Second Chances	Annie
2014	Kambal Sirena	Reyna Arowana
2013	Mundo Mo'y Akin	Rodora Santos / Giselle Atienza-Carbonel
2012	Aso ni San Roque	Bulan
	Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka?	Leslie Montelibano
	Biritera	Remy Capitollo
2011	Kokak	Vicky Asuncion
	Futbolilits	Belinda Almodovar
	Dwarfina	Romera
2010	Panday Kids	Ester
	Pilyang Kerubin	Melissa Alejandrino
2009	Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit	Nancy Rosales
2008	LaLola	Sabrina Starr
	Una Kang Naging Akin	Vanessa Yumul
	Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita	Via Fausto
2007	Prinsesa ng Banyera	Mayumi Burgos / Daphne Pertierra	ABS-CBN
	Si Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao	Kalagua / Dr. Eva Tabinas
	Little Big Superstar	Star Judge
2006	Bituing Walang Ningning	Lavinia Arguelles
2005	Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin	Karri Medrano
	Entertainment Konek	Host
2004	EK Channel	Host
	MTB: Ang Saya Saya	Co-Host
2003	Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas	Mary Ann Santos
	ASAP Mania	Co-Host / Performer
2002	Habang Kapiling Ka	Erica Malvarosa	GMA Network
2001	Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin	Mylene Fuentebella / Katherine Morales / Carmencita San Diego
2000	Umulan Man o Umaraw	Andrea
	Bubble Gang	Performer
	Liwanag Ng Hatinggabi	Luna
	Click	Oli
1999	Pintados	Diwata / Reewa Zulueta
	Di Ba't Ikaw	Arlene
	SOP Rules	Co-Host / Performer
1997	Oka Tokat	Tessa Sytangco	ABS-CBN
	Esperanza	Cecille Montejo / Regina Salviejo
1996	Mara Clara	Joyce

Films

Year	Studio	Title	Role
2012	DLS- College of St. Benilde Myray Production	An Angel's Tale	Angelika
2011	Creative Minds Production	Babang Luksa	Idang
2002	Viva Films	S2pid Luv	Wendy
		Hari ng Selda: Anak ni Baby Ama 2	Angelica
2000	GMA Films	Deathrow	Isabel
1999	Star Cinema	Esperanza: The Movie	Cecille / Regina
	Regal Films	Seventeen so kaka	Neneng
1998	Star Cinema	Magandang Hatinggabi	Marianne
1997		Ipaglaban Mo II	Agnes
	Regal Films	Huwag Mo Nang Itanong	Cely
		Mananggal ng Maynila	Terry
1996		Istokwa	Lea
		Nights of Serafina	Diana

Discography

Year	Title	Tracklist
1996 Sony Music	Angelika	Fill the World with love Hindi lamang sa Pangarap Sa Atin Lang Kung Bubuksan Mo Man ang Puso Ko Now you Go Sasabihin Ko Na Ba? Ready to Fall In Love Again Tanging Puso Lang Di Ko Alam Pagkatapos ng Gabi
1999 Sony Music	My Only Wish	I Miss You Paano ba? Nadevelop Hold Me in your Arms Sana ay Magbalik Ka Let the Love Begin Don't throw it Away In the Heat of Summer My Only Wish Ipangako Mo
1999 Imperial Records	In My Dreams	Unknown Tracks
2001	Metropop Song Festival	A Day and A Night More
2006 Star Records	Bituing Walang Ningning Soundtrack	Miss Na Miss Kita Dito ba? (feat. Sarah Geronimo)

Awards and nominations

Films

Year	Organization	Award	Movie	Remarks
2000	Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actress	"Deathrow" (2000) !	Nominated
2000	49TH FAMAS Annual Awards	German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardee	German Moreno Youth Achievement Award	Won
1999	Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actress	"Esperanza: The Movie" (1999)	Nominated
1997	PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Best New Actress of the Year	"Nights of Serafina" (1996)	Won

Television

Year	Organization	TV Award	TV show	Remarks
2014	Golden Screen TV Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program	"Mundo Mo'y Akin" (2013)	Nominated
2007	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Actress	"Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006)	Nominated
2007	Gawad America	Best Actress	"Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006)	Won
2006	ASAP Pop Awards	Best Character Actress	"Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006)	Nominated
2005	Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge	Grand Champion	Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge (2005)	Won
2003	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Actress	"Habang Kapiling Ka" (2002)	Nominated
1998	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Single Performance by an Actress	GMA Telesine "Propeta" (1997)	Nominated
1997	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Single Performance by an Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya episode "Jeepney" (1996)	Nominated

Music

Year	Organization	Music Award	Recipient	Remarks
2006	PARI	Gold Record Award	Bituing Walang Ningning:Soundtracks	Won
2001	Metropop 2001	Song Interpreter of the year	"A Day and a Night More"	Nominated
2001	Gintong Parangal ng Malabon	Gintong Parangal Awardee	herself	Won
1998	Parangal ng Bayan	People's Choice Awardee for Most Promising Female Performer	herself	Won
1997	Parangal ng Bayan	People's Choice Awardee for Most Promising Female Performer	herself	Won
1993	Likhawit	4th Placer, Amateur Division	herself	Won

Magazine and others

Year	Organization	Award	Rank
2014	YES! Magazine	100 Most Beautiful Stars of 2014	Fit and Fab Category
2010	YES! Magazine	100 Most Beautiful Stars of 2010	Ranked 81
2010	Starmometer	100 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2010	Ranked 75
2008	Starmometer	100 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2008	Ranked 57
2008	Maxim Philippines	100 Hottest Women on the Planet	Ranked 79
2007	Starmometer	100 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2007	Ranked 61
2006	Starmometer	100 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2006	Ranked 17
2003	FHM's Philippines	100 Sexiest Women in the World	Rank 99
2000	FHM's Philippines	100 Sexiest Women in the World	Rank 48
1999	Moviestar Magazine	15 Most Brightest Stars of 1999	Ranked 15

External links

• Angelika dela Cruz at the Internet Movie Database