Kapamilya stars Kim Chiu and Bela Padilla showed their full support for their close friend and fellow “AngBeKi” member, Angelica Panganiban, as she made her much-anticipated theater performance in Don’t Meow For Me, Catriona.
Taking to social media, Kim and Bela expressed how proud and impressed they were by Angelica’s performance as Phoebe in the Virgin Labfest production.
“Momsy @iamangelicap we are so so proud of you!!! Grabeng acting nanaman ang pinakita mo tonight (and every night for this beautifully written and directed play for VLF 20) (pleading eyes and heart emoji) we always become your fan girls when you decide to do new things (pleading eyes emoji) always here to witness you momsy,” Bela wrote.
Bela also praised the play’s production and story, calling it, “Real, moving performances, Beautiful script, Unpredictable direction. 'Don't Meow For Me Catriona.'”
Playfully, she even teased Angelica to aim higher in her theater journey: “Broadway and West End na next @iamangelicap.”
Bela was accompanied by her boyfriend, Swiss-Italian Norman Ben Bay.
Meanwhile, Kim shared her excitement over watching her first full-length, Filipino-produced play, expressing amazement at the talent and dedication of theater actors.
“Grabe!!! First time ko manood ng play na full Pinoy. Grabe lang!!! Nakaka AMAZING!!! As IN!!! Iba ang pag hanga sa lahat ng mga theater actors. Grabe!!! Ang play of emotions! Sooo Galing (five clapping emojis),” she said.
She also expressed joy over watching the play alongside her other “momsy,” Bela, saying, “Of course!!!! Momsy belsy in da haws!!!! (pink heart emojis) @bela miss ba natin isa't isa sa hug na to?"
Kim went on to share how proud she is of Angelica, commending her versatility and strong stage presence.
“Grabe! so proud!! Kakaiba!!! ANG GANDA!! Nakaka proud sabihin na 'uy momsy ko yan." Sobrang husay!!!! Iba ang galing ng isang ANGELICA PANGANIBAN!!! Mapapa hanga ka talaga! Like OMG! IBA!!! As IN!!! Husay, dedikasyon and parang hindi first time sa theater. Hasang hasa!!! Congrats moms!!!! Marami pa akong gusto sabihin pero ang husay nyo!!! Bagay kayo mag mommy ni tita!!!! AMAZING!!! @iamangelicap,” Kim expressed.
In a separate post, Kim added, “Congratulations!!!! Ang GANDA!!!!! @iamangelicap.”
She concluded with another message of admiration: “Sooooo proud!!! Ang galing!!! @iamangelicap naubos na ang adjectives ko na sasabihin sayo sa sobrang amaze na amaze ako!!! @bela.”
Kim and Bela were among the celebrities who attended one of Angelica’s show dates for Don’t Meow For Me, Catriona, which runs from June 11 to 29 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Other stars spotted in the audience included Eugene Domingo, Agot Isidro, Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Kean Cipriano, Barbie Imperial, Glaiza De Castro with husband David Rainey and brother Alcris Galura as well as Meryl Soriano and Joem Bascon.
READ: Angelica Panganiban to make theater debut this June
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Angelica reflected on the emotional depth of her character and what resonated most with her.
“Siyempre sa relationship ng mother-daughter. Kung nandyan pa yung mother niyo at may chance pa kayo talaga na makasama siya, mabigay yung alaga na hinihingi niya parang bigay na lang natin. Siguro yun, yun yung tumatatak talaga sa akin,” Angelica expressed.
In the one-act play, Angelica portrays a devoted daughter accompanying her mother on a trip to Bicol. While waiting at a bus terminal, the two are compelled to confront unresolved issues and deep-seated family tensions.