Hello. Hi, Miss Toni. Hi. Good afternoon. How are you? -I'm good. -You're all good? Why do most people perceive me this way? That I'm just a bold star. A stripper. They believe that I have a bad attitude and that my parents did not raise me properly. Every night, I can't sleep without my father hurting me. You went through a phase of self-harm. Yes. I didn't feel anything, even though it was already bleeding. I really felt down. I wanted to stop. Oh my, you're still so young. 22? Mhmm. 22 years old. Yes. And I heard you lived in the United States? Mhmm. For four to five years. But you were born here? I was born in Mandaluyong but I stayed in Parañaque. That's where you grew up. Mhmm. What was your childhood dream? When I was little—since we turned the bottom of our house into a church like Vineyard of Jesus Christ. I see a lot of preachers and they seemed so happy, clapping their hands. Then I told my mom, "Ma, when I grow up, I want to become a preacher." And all the preachers are so delighted telling me, "Wow! You want to become a preacher! That's great!" Until I decided I wanted to be a flight attendant instead. Then I realized it's also great becoming a doctor. So that I can help my mom in the future. I also think studying law was good. So that the income would be good since my mom and dad has a business mindset. How would you describe your childhood growing up? My mom converted into a born again Christian. Growing up, she taught me Christian values. Respect your parents. Love God first. Then my dad instilled in us a strict military discipline. When you went to the States, where was your mom? My dad did not let her come. My mother wanted to come, but my father insisted, "You should stay here because your job and family are here." "And I am taking our children with me so they can have better future." And for us to have blue passports. When we are about to leave, they can't find a taxi. My dad told my mom to get a taxi. So, while my mother was phoning for a cab, my father sent my brother to look for one. My brother was the first one to get a cab and then we left for the US. Without saying goodbye to my mom. That was the first time we parted ways with our mother since we were born, and we didn't say goodbye. She got depressed and didn't know what to do. Because her two children went away. And when we arrived in the US I wasn't able to communicate with my mom even if it was just to send a message or hear her voice. And everytime I send e-mail to my mom, my dad has to read it first. He was so strict that I can't even go outside of our house. There are guards outside. That's why I feel like my childhood with my dad is so--- -Caged. -Caged. We felt like my dad was trying to take us away from our mom. It felt like maltreatment. My father's way of discipline. It felt like maltreatment. My father's way of--- -Discipline. -His way of discipline. It turned into abuse. How can you say that the discipline you received was abuse? The time when my big brother couldn't take it anymore and ran away from the US. I didn't tell my father that I knew my brother had run away. He shoved my face into the dishwasher. And he starved me for a week to get me to admit that I knew my brother escaped. I went to school feeling so weak. Then my classmate asked me, "What happened to you?" After telling her what had happened, I told her not to tell anyone. Because slapping your child in the US is punishable by three days in jail. My classmate then told the teacher. Then the teacher called my dad for counseling. When my father learned that he had been called by the school, we returned to the Philippines the next day. How old were you when you came back to the Philippines? 13, 13, 14. I heard that you went through a phase of self-harm. Yes. I think after two years or one year of my dad constantly beating me up every day. I can't sleep without him hurting me. Then there's one time, I remember he did not hurt me the whole day. I was so happy that I wrote in my diary, "I feel happy this day that dad did not hurt me." But every night my dad would read my diary. Then one time, I saw my classmate with cuts on her wrists. Then we asked her, "What did you do? Why are you doing that?" Then she said, "It feels nice, try it." But when I tried it, I didn't feel anything even if it's already bleeding. Really? I really didn't feel anything. You thought that you are releasing the pain you have inside which is an unhealthy way to heal and to express the emotions you have inside because when you're young and you're trying to survive and cope you find ways to divert your pain. Maybe you had so much pain in here. Yes. That's why even if there is a physical pain, you cannot feel it. Maybe during that time. Yes. And there are moments where I fantasize about how it would feel. Like for instance we are on top of a building and see the surroundings. Normal people would say, "Wow the view is so beautiful." But in my head it's like, "What if I die here? Will it feel nice to die here?" I fantasize it like it's a normal thing to do. That's why, when we returned to the Philippines and my mother learned about it, she had me go to therapy. What was your diagnosis? Severe depression and trauma. I get agitated even by the smell of my dad's perfume. They say that I panic and say, "Daddy is here." How did you enter showbiz or this industry? I am so addicted to anime. To the point where I watch anime every day and night after school. Finally, I get to use my iPad. I can use my gadgets and log on to Facebook and all. Can I say that here? And after that, I saw this exhibit where they feature anime and otakus can go. -Cosplay? -Yes, cosplay. When I arrived, I was overjoyed since there were so many photographers lined up to take pictures of me. That's why I copied the poses of the cosplayers and anime. As I was about to leave, a photographer from ABS-CBN came up to me and ask, "Do you want to do an open shoot?" "Do you want to be a model?" I said, "Yes, I want to." Then in my head, I was like, "Am I gonna be a superstar?" So, I can have photos to post on Facebook. After they posted my photos, several ramp modeling agencies approached me. Then I joined Hair Asia. Then two years after, a friend of a friend in modeling called me. It was night, after school. She asked me, "Do you want to be an actress?" "In Vivamax?" Then I searched for it online. Since I always watch TV, I said, "Vivamax it's like Viva Films." Then I told her, "Yes, I wanna be an actress." The next day, I have school but I still pursued it. I took a motorcycle ride from Las Piñas to Quezon City. To meet my manager. When I arrived, he made me sing right away. He asked, "What are your talents?" "What can you do? Do you know how to act?" "You need to cry there. It's a must." "You can't be shy." Because I felt so shy when I arrived. I said to myself, "Oh no, I don't have any talent." "I can't act." That's why I ended up singing the song I sing in the shower. After singing it, my manager said, "Okay, I'll call you when there's a project already." Then after that I started with Vivamax in 2019. -You just started in 2019? -Mhmm. -So, technically you're still new. -Mhmm. How did you do the sexy film? Because from being shy to showing skin and doing love scene. Mhmm. How did it happen? Did someone coach you? Was there a workshop? Two months before the movie there's a workshop. But it's not about taking clothes off or sexy. More on engaging with your co-actors and co-actresses. Then when I read on the script that I have to take my clothes off, I immediately called my manager. "What am I supposed to do here? I need to do this already? I just turned 18. My mom is a preacher." "What will my friends say?" Then he said, "Take it as a stepping stone." "If you can prove to them that you are passionate about acting and skilled at it, they will see it." "And who knows? Maybe you'll get more projects after this." So for two months, even if I only had a few lines on the script, I read it everyday. I dance everyday since my character does even if I don't normally do it. So, I keep watching K-Pop videos. I also called my mom during the shoot. What did your mom say? "What is the name of your director and manager?" "Who gave you that project? Why didn't you tell me?" "I thought you're studying." Then I told her, "Mom, stay calm. But don't be surprised if you find out that I have a movie like this I'm already shooting it now. There's no turning back." What did you feel when you first watched yourself? What did you feel as a shy person? I felt cringe. -It happens. -I'm sorry, but I felt cringe. I can't take it. But after the movie, my manager called me and said, "The director said your line delivery is good." "That is why you will play the lead in your next movie." He said it's going to be my movie. I said, "Lord, thank You." And I told my mom right away. She said, "It's gonna be a sexy film again? What will you do there?" She's scared in a sense that "Will I get famous or flop in the field that I chose?" Because I initially wanted to become a doctor or a lawyer. I have a future there but this one is uncertain. But then after the second movie became a hit. They called it the pandemic movie. That's when she appreciated it. She said, "Okay, I've watched that movie." She watched it and said, "You have a passion, my daughter." "Pursue it as long as it makes you happy." "If it makes you happy and it doesn't drain you." "And as long as you don't hurt other people." "Go and do it." But Angeli Khang is just your screen name, right? Yes, screen name. Who gave you that name? My manager. My real name is Agnes. His favorite artist is Pier Angeli. And a lot of people tell me that I have a resemblance with Ms. Angel Locsin. So, he said, let's call you Angeli and get your last name Khang. Angeli Khang. Is that a Chinese name? Korean. So, you have a Korean blood. So you are half Korean and half Pinoy. Mhmm. -Who is the Korean among your parents? -My dad. Oh, your dad is Korean. -Your mom is Pinoy. -She's Filipina. We thought it has a hidden meaning since you're a sexy star. Because if you're a sexy star, normally you should have a sexy name. Yes a name that's completely different. So that is the reason. When you do sexy scenes, what is your preparation? And what are the limitations? What is the agreement between co-actors? Because sometimes, you might get carried away with the scenes. It's inevitable because you're doing passionate scenes. During my first movie, I told myself, "Just do it as long as you can show on your face that you can feel the scene." But now that my knowledge in acting has expanded and as time goes by, I realized that it's draining. Stripping can be draining. Even if there's a plaster. Even if there's a double sometimes. Just the thought of doing it, you should be mentally prepared. You have to make sure that you and your co-actor are comfortable with each other. And sometimes your co-actor is stressed because of the restrictions. Sometimes you can't touch the chest area. Or their limitation is up to the waist only. Or up to here only. Was there a time that you felt that you were taken advantage? - Yes, a lot. Especially during my last few movies. You might get carried away because the scenes you were doing were intense. Sometimes you might lose yourself because it's very physical. There are times that the plaster would fall off because they get hard. And before the director calls action, he kisses me, and after the director yells cut, he is still kissing me. So, what would you do? In my head, I was like, "As long as it's just one take, let's do it." Then after that, I'd go to the director and say, "Direk, did you see that?" Then he'll say, "Yes, I saw it." So after that--- Of course they'll get carried away with the scene since they're men. -Right? -Mhmm. You, as a woman, how can you separate work to what is real? "This is my limitation. That is just work." If it's work, my mindset is, "This is work." While doing the scenes, there are a lot of people involved especially sexy scenes. There are two to three cameramen. Then there's the audio man and the director. That's why I never get carried away. What do you feel when people label you as "Sexy star" or "Bold star"? I got used to it. Maybe I'm a sexy star, a bold star. But when I mention it to other people, they would say, "No, you're an actress." "They just gave you projects like that but you know how to act." "You know how to act. You're an actress." What was their reaction when they see you in person? I'm thankful that when people see me, they don't treat me as a Bold star. Because when they see me, they're like, "Oh, it's Angeli. Can we have a picture with you? Can you do a shoutout?" But I see some bashers online that would message my family. Saying things like, "Was I raised properly? Why am I doing this?" But as of now, I haven't had a--- -A bad encounter in person. -Yes. A married couple fought infront of me. Really? He got caught. His wife caught him. Why? What did the wife do? I was buying something in a store then her husband asked for a picture. After taking the picture with me, his wife hit him on the head. She said, "What are you doing? Why are you asking for her picture?" "Maybe you are this and that." They were arguing, "I just took a picture with her. It's nothing. You're overreacting." They were fighting like that. -While they are fighting, what did you do? -Nothing. I just walked away. -I don't know what I'm supposed to do. -A couple fought. That's what he does in his spare time. I don't wanna get involved. "It's just work, nothing personal." I'm just doing my job. Sometimes there are incidents like that, so how do you handle the online comments? At first, I felt really sad. The people in the industry said, "It's a form of art." "It's a craft." Like music doing it. Why do most people perceive me this way? That I'm just a bold star. A stripper. They believe that I have a bad attitude and that my parents did not raise me properly. And since my mom is a preacher, they would say, "Are you really like that?" They are involving my religion. I felt really down. That I wanted to stop. But then I realized, if I stop, people would think that this is all I can do. How do you handle or answer people who say things like, "Oh, I thought she's a Born Again Christian?" "Why is she doing these kinds of movies?" My mom is a very open-minded person. If someone throws stone at you, throw back bread. Just let them be as long as you're happy at what you do and you don't hurt other people. Why don't I just prove them that I'm more than this. That I can act. And take these blessings and projects as stepping stones. So, how do you handle when you receive indecent proposals? I post them online. You expose them. You'll get exposed. They'll get humiliated, okay. I really felt disrespected because I'm doing my work professionally. It turns out a lot of sexy artists experience indecent proposals. Then one day, I realized that as long as I'm not entertaining them, I'll just let them be. Maybe they're just seeking for attention. But in a normal day, what do you like doing? Sleep as much as possible. Sleep while you can while you're young. That's right. If Sunday, church. After church, family bonding. When I got home, work out. Before going to sleep, I try reading books. But if there's one thing that you want people to know about Angeli Khang, what is it? I'm very different from the people that they're seeing as a sexy figure who's brave. Oozing with fighting spirit, like that. And who speaks--- -Fighter? -Like a fighter, yes. I am super different from that. -I am like this. -She's timid in person. When people call you "Vivamax Queen" how does it make you feel? Up until now, I still cannot believe it like--- That's your title now. You are the "Vivamax Queen" Very happy and honored like, "Wow, people see me that way." They call you Queen of Vivamax. I feel happy that they see me that way even though I do not see myself that way. This is still me. But I'm thankful that people see me that way. How long do you see yourself doing sexy films? I'm happy right now that I crossed over to mainstream and I hope my blessings continue here. But if Viva will give me a good project, then why not? Why not? It's still a blessing. When they say the name Angeli Khang, what do you want people to think about you? A person who never gives up. And me doing sexy roles, they think of it less. I'm more than that. I'm not just a body, but a brain too. What is your new movie now? I have a new movie now entitled "Unang Tikim" In cinemas nationwide. Finally! -Yay! This is your dream, right? -Yes. To penetrate. Oh what a choice of word. Why are you single now? Just broke up or you've been single for a while now? I've been single for a while. Career first. I am hard to get in real life. They are the ones who get hard. Because she is hard to get. See? Our conversations here have hidden meanings. We thought "Khang" is for the "Kangkangan" I really thought that's the reason. Actually, my middle name is B. B. Khang? Angeli B. Khang. See? B. Kangkang. Bukangkang. Oh, shucks! That's too much. -Thank you very much. -Thank you, thank you so much, Ms. Toni. You're still so young. You're just 22. Have you counted how many movies you've done? More than 20 as of now. More than 20? You've made more than 20 movies already? -You really are the Vivamax Queen with all the movies. -Awards soon. -Awards soon. -The awards are next.