Angeline Quinto cannot get Baby Dolls out of her head, and she would not have it any other way.
The Kapamilya singer sat down with the press ahead of her 15th anniversary concert, Aquinse, to explain how the viral girl group ended up on her concert lineup, revealing that the invitation for them came directly from her.
Angeline recalled the first time she encountered Baby Dolls, tracing it back to a chance meeting outside the ASAP studio. She had just finished taping when the girls approached her to promote a new song. And before she knew it, she was learning their choreography on the spot.
"Nakikita ko sila kahit saan. And nung first time na narinig ko 'yung isa sa mga kanta nila, parang galing ako sa ASAP studio. Then paglabas ko ng studio ng ASAP, sumayaw kami nun eh. Parang meron silang pinasayaw sa akin," she said.
"First time ko marinig 'yung dance song nila. Tapos, sabi nila, 'Miss Angge, ma-promote lang po kasi pino-promote namin 'yung bagong song!' Sabi ko, 'Sige!' So sumayaw ako. Tinuro nila sa akin 'yung steps," she added.
That first encounter stuck. From that point on, Angeline found herself crossing paths with Baby Dolls more and more, and their music started finding its way into her daily routine in the best possible way.
"Tapos after nun, madalas ko na silang nakikita online. Sabi ko, nakakatuwa naman ang Baby Dolls. And natutuwa ako sa mga songs na nire-release nila. Nakaka-happy lang pag naririnig ko kahit saan ako magpunta! Bago ako mag-umpisa sa trabaho, pag naririnig ko 'yung mga songs nila, pati 'yung mga team namin, parang good vibes lang buong araw!" she said.
She also shared that even her daughter has caught the Baby Dolls bug, with "dong digi digi dong" becoming an unavoidable soundtrack in their household. Angeline admitted she cannot stop singing it herself.
“Parang kahit bago ako matulog sa gabi. Parang pati mga anak ko kasi sinasayaw ‘yun. I love you, Baby Dolls!” she said.
When the opportunity came to put together her anniversary concert, there was one call she really wanted to make.
"Sabi ko, kung mabibigyan ako ng chance na maimbitahan po sila sa concert ko. Sana pumayag po sila. Kung kakayanin po ng schedules din nila," she said.
She also took the moment to say something that clearly comes from experience. As someone who once had to ask other artists to give her a chance, Angeline said supporting newer acts is something she takes seriously and personally.
"Alam niyo po, siyempre nag-umpisa rin po ako doon. And 'yung mga panahon na 'yun, kung paano po ako nag-umpisa, makiusap din sa ibang mga artist na suportahan din ako, hindi ko makakalimutan 'yung pakiramdam na ganun eh," she said.
"And napapasalamat din ako sa mga taong hindi ako pinabayaan, na hindi ako tinalikuran. So kaya din siguro ganun lang din po 'yung pagtulong ko or pag-support ako sa mga bagong mga artist natin sa industriya, basta kaya ko naman, ibibigay natin 'yung suporta natin sa kanila," she added.
As for rehearsals, Angeline said preparations are still being finalized, with the full repertoire for their segment still being worked out, but said that she is looking forward to it.
"Sa ngayon wala pa. Baka next week. And looking forward ako doon kasi sa ngayon inaayos pa namin lahat 'yung mga repertoires na gagamitin namin with the Baby Dolls," she said.
Asked if she is ready to go up against Baby Dolls on stage, she did not hesitate.
"Let's do this. Siyempre. At ako 'yung nag-request sa kanila! Pinagbigyan nila tayo. Kailangan nating gawin ito nang maganda," she said.
Angeline Quinto’s 15th anniversary concert is happening on August 22 at the Araneta Coliseum. Other special guests include Erik Santos, Skusta Clee, and Divine Divas, among others.