It was a memorable celebration for OPM singer-songwriter Angela Ken as she marked both her birthday and the release of her new extended play (EP), Panahon, alongside her devoted fans, collectively known as the Angels.
During an interview with selected members of the press at her fourth mall busking stop held at the SM Mall of Asia Sky Hall, Angela admitted she was overwhelmed by the growing number of supporters attending each performance.
“Sobrang overwhelmed po ako. Speechless. I’m very very grateful na na-experience ko po ito ngayon. Actually, I didn't expect na ganoon karami yung crowd ever since the first busking stop and all the other stops ay parami po siya ng parami,” Angela happily told PUSH ABS-CBN.
She added, “Nakakataba po ng puso na grabe ‘yung pagmamahal ng tao sa OPM, sa craft ko po. Sobrang blessed ko talaga.”
Angela’s fourth busking event also happened a day before her birthday, making the moment even more meaningful for the young artist. According to her, the love and appreciation she received from fans already felt like the fulfillment of her birthday wish.
“Birthday wish ko is parang natupad kasi itong love na binibigay ng mga Angels and appreciation nila. The fact na dumarami sila, sobrang di ko siya in-expect. God is really amazing and God moves in mysterious ways,” Angela said.
“Hindi ko ito inexpect na ngayong taon pero in-allow Niya. Those are the prayers that I've been praying for a long time and now we are here, malayo pa pero kahit papano umuusad at malayo na,” she added.
Reflecting on her journey as a performer, Angela shared one realization that stood out to her throughout the tour.
“Na marami palang nagmamahal kay Angela. Aside from my family, even di ko kamag-anak, hindi ko kadugo, marami pala nagmamahal kay Angela. Doon pa lang panalo na ako. Doon pa lang lahat ng wishes ko sa mga susunod ko pa nabirthdays parang natupad na,” she shared.
Angela’s mall busking tour coincides with the release of her Panahon EP, which also features a short film starring herself alongside Aljon Mendoza and Paco Berba, also known as Chompz. According to the singer, the idea for the short film had been in development for nearly two years.
“Panahon short film was really planned ever since the very start, like two years ago na naisip ko agad na kapag ilalabas na ‘yung EP, I do not want it na MV lang,” Angela explained. “I wanted to be a very, very beautiful story kaya short film ‘yung ginawa namin.”
Angela, who conceptualized and wrote the project herself, expressed pride in how the film turned out with the help of creative team WILDMNDS.
“Ever since the beginning din nasa notes ko pa ata yung draft noon. With the help of WILDMNDS directors, kasi inalalayan nila ‘yung ideas ko, mas inayos nila ‘yung script and na-align ‘yun sa mga songs sa tracks. It was beautiful. I was so happy sa kinalabasan niya,” she added.
She also expressed gratitude to her co-stars for bringing the characters she envisioned to life: “I am also grateful kay Aljon and Paco kasi sila nagbigay ng buhay sa characters na nasa utak ko.”
Beyond its romantic and feel-good moments, Angela hopes viewers will also connect with the emotions and perspectives represented by each character in the film.
“Kaya ganoon ‘yung story kasi, yes more na may romantic or kilig side pero also, it can be from different perspectives sa characters na they can resonate with,. Sometimes we can be Aljon, sometimes we can be Angela or sometimes we are Paco from that short film. Ayon din ang pinaka-goal ng short film, not just to be the visuals of the Panahon EP but also share the other side of the EP,” she said.
Aside from the music and storyline, the short film also prominently featured blue tulips that had a special meaning to the singer.
“This was originally an idea by director Ingrid Ignacio-Termulo na sabi niya na let’s symbolize Panahon EP as blue tulips because blue tulips are really rare and this is a unique kind of love, kaya malaking factor yung blue tulips na iyon. Doon siya pumasok noong nag brainstorm kami,” Angela revealed.