Angelica Panganiban's Special Guest On Her Birthday Show In 'Banana Split' Is Bf John Lloyd Cruz

ANGELICA PANGANIBAN is turning 26 on November 2 and her show, “Banana Split” (BS), is celebrating its 4th anniversary so ABS-CBN feted her to early dinner at Napa Resto. Angelica is an original member of “BS”. BS EP Camille Mortiz says that her dad Edgar conceived of the show as the female counterpart of “Goin’ Bananas”. With Angelica in the original cast were Cristine Reyes, Roxanne Guinoo and Valerie Concepcion, who have all left the show.

When John Prats, Zanjoe Marudo and Jayson Gainza left “Aalog-Alog”, they joined “BS” and other additions were Melai Cantiveros, Pooh and Ryan Bang. Other ex-members are Pokwang, RR Enriquez and Jason Francisco.

“I was so thankful that this show gave me the chance to explore my comic side,” says Angelica. “Lahat kami ng kasama ko rito ngayon, para ng magkakapatid. We’re so comfortable with each other kaya wala ng napipikon kahit nag-aasaran kami.”

She’s best remembered for spoofing Kris Aquino with Jayson as Boy Abunda. “Nagulat kami ni Jayson when we we’re assigned to do it. But I’m glad we’re able to pull it off at tumatak talaga sa tao. I’ve really grown in the show as a performer kasi ngayon, nagla-live na kami and the reaction from the audience is instant.”

What’s her birthday wish? “Sana, the blessings that I have now, magtuloy-tuloy lang, pati yung happiness na napi-feel ko.”

It’s obvious she’s so happy that John Lloyd Cruz opened up in “The Buzz” and admitted their relationship. “Hindi ko ine-expect na sasabihin niya yun. Ayun, tinanong niya kung napanood ko. Kaso di ko nga napanood. It was Melai who called me up and told me about it. But I intend to watch it soon.”

She even wrote the lyrics of a song for JL, “Barcelona”, with music by their friend Glaiza de Castro. “It’s spontaneous. First time ko to compose a song for a guy.”

JL will be their special in her special birthday episode this Saturday. Aside from “BS”, Angelica is now busy shooting the filmfest entry, “One More Try”, with Dingdong Dantes and Zanjoe Marudo. “Malayo pa bago namin matapos because of our schedules. But this November, pipilitin naming tapusin so we can meet the filmfest deadline.”