Ysabel Mariz Austria

THROWBACK: Get to know Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban's 'Love or Money' characters

Article (news)

Patricia Matalog

<div><em>[Editor’s note: This story, first published on Feb. 27, 2021 and updated today, is brought to you from our Star Cinema Archives.]    </em> </div><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>&quot;Love or Money&quot; marked its fifth anniversary on March 12, 2021. At the time of its release, lead stars <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/9/25/star-cinema-superheroes-that-bring-out-the-heroes-in-us-1642" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin</a> and Angelica Panganiban gave us everything we needed to know about their characters in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">movie</a>.  </p><p>In an exclusive interview in 2021, Coco and Angelica talked about their colorful characters, Leon and Angel, respectively. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773647787932Love or Money Angelica Panganiban Coco Martin Star Cinema Star Bits.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>&#x27;Si Leon, nakikipagsapalaran, nangangarap para buhayin ang pamilya n’ya,” Coco said of Leon. “Maliit lang [ang] pangarap n’ya sa buhay, [ang] magkaroon ng simpleng pamilya, mahanap ‘yung taong mahal n’ya, [at] matustusan [ang] mga pangangailangan ng pamilya n’ya.&quot;</p><p>Leon’s simple life is shaken when he meets Angel, whom he has fallen head over heels with.  </p><p>&quot;Hanggang finally nakilala n’ya [ang] isang tao na si Angel, at pakiramdam n’ya, &#x27;yun [na ang] makakasama n’ya pang-habambuhay. &#x27;Yun &#x27;yung tinakbuhan ng character ni Leon, kung bakit na-hook s’ya sa character ni Angel,&quot; he explained. &quot;Na kahit saan siya pumunta, kahit wala na s’ya sa buhay [ni Leon], pilit [pa din] s’yang hinahanap, kasi pakiramdam ni Leon, nahanap na n’ya &#x27;yung taong mahal niya.&quot;</p><p>Meanwhile, Angelica described her character as someone who is the complete opposite of Leon.  </p><p>&quot;Si Angel naman, a total contrast of Leon. Mataas na mataas s’yang mangarap,” Angelica spoke of Angel. “Parang laging may kulang sa kanya. Mas nag-li-lean on s’ya doon sa pera kasi mas na-pu-fulfill s’ya ng happiness ng pera.&quot; </p><p>Coco also admitted that he enjoyed portraying the character of Leon since it embodies the mindset of the Filipinos, particularly when the film was released in 2021, while the world was still grappling with the pandemic. </p><p>&quot;Ang sarap isabuhay nung character na ginagampanan namin kasi sa buhay natin ngayon, sa hirap ng pinagdadaanan natin ngayon, minsan magiging praktikal ka, eh. Minsan iisipin mo rin sarili mo,&quot; Coco said.</p><p>&quot;Dati, ang mga Pilipino, [ang] nasa isip lang nila, pamilya. &#x27;Di bale nang ako ang magsakripisyo kung para sa pamilya ko. Ngayon, minamahal na nila sarili nila more than sa lahat,&quot; he added. </p><div><br/></div><p>Celebrate with us the fifth anniversary of “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLalQNACgOUSctUKYRLBjG2HxhqG2CnnKq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Love or Money</a>” this March by watching these EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS right here, for FREE: </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrhWt0qLQKE?si=xj6POwiLziOx_cjw" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfGzi372TSI?si=AogHB7Yw7C6VAzio" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VPZ1FvLeMlc?si=uiU6ucPiotlDL73p" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yaO7_2a8dQ?si=hiKhbMUdjc8ypTo_" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, &quot;Love or Money&quot; also stars Gelli De Belen, Ketchup Eusebio, Cai Cortez, Matet De Leon, Dante Rivero, and more.  </p><p>Watch more exclusive videos and FREE FULL MOVIES of your favorite celebrities from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ABSstarcinema" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Star Cinema official YouTube channel</a>! </p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bzWkPXPhdtI?si=gA4NpyzIqk--rsD3" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0QfnfJ6Qna8?si=gai3iAQo4UBEQfOz" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/2/18/belle-mariano-donny-pangilinan-journey-to-the-past-in-tayo-sa-wakas-announcement-teaser-1606" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan journey to the past in ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ announcement teaser</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/9/25/star-cinema-superheroes-that-bring-out-the-heroes-in-us-1642" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Star Cinema superheroes that bring out the heroes in us!</a></div>

<p><b>THROWBACK: Get to know Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban's 'Love or Money' characters</b></p>