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Angeline reveals the first item she bought with her "Star Power" prize money—and more stories of her "firsts"

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

From winning “Star Power” in 2010 to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in OPM, Angeline Quinto has come a long way. But there’s something special about looking back on where it all began. So, in this episode of Kapamilya Chat, Angeline takes us through some of her most memorable “firsts.&quot;First on the list was talent fees. Angeline shared that her first-ever TF was from “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASAP</a>.” But her first big purchase as an artist came from her prize money after winning the Kapamilya singing contest “Star Power,” which became her entryway into showbiz. As the grand champion, she took home one million pesos, and with that, the very first thing she bought was a pair of Havaianas slippers, which actually has a nostalgic backstory. &quot;Kasi no&#x27;ng nauso &#x27;yung Havaianas, nasa Sampaloc pa ako, wala pa akong trabaho. &#x27;Pag nagsisimba &#x27;yung Mama ko sa Quiapo, lagi kong sinasabi, &#x27;Ma, &#x27;pag nagpunta ka naman sa mall, bilhan mo naman ako ng Havaianas.&#x27; Sabi niya, &#x27;Ano &#x27;yung Havaianas?&#x27; Sabi ko, &#x27;Tsinelas.&#x27; Nilagay ko pa sa papel &#x27;yung spelling kasi &#x27;pag hindi ako kasama itatanong niya sa sales lady,&quot; she reminisced. Her mother, whom she fondly calls Mama Bob, came home with two pairs of slippers, but from a more affordable brand. And even though she didn’t get the exact Havaianas she wanted, Mama Bob&#x27;s gesture left her with an important lesson about giving. &quot;Na-realize ko na hindi naman kailangan ng materyal na bagay na mamahalin &#x27;pag galing naman sa puso. Medyo na-sad ako. Pero nu&#x27;ng tumatagal, na-realize ko dalawa pa &#x27;yung binili ni Mama, eh hindi rin naman gano&#x27;n kalaki &#x27;yung savings ng Mama ko at wala pa akong trabaho.&quot;So when Angeline finally received her winnings from “Star Power,” the very first thing she bought was that long-awaited pair of Havaianas slippers, and she even treated her Star Magic road manager, who went shopping with her, to a pair as well. As for her first talent fee from “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASAP</a>,” Angeline made sure to give back. She treated her whole family to a late lunch at a restaurant, where they had a long table, meaning she was able to bring a lot of her relatives. Her heart was full, as she was finally the one paying for a meal they could all enjoy together.Angeline turned a little sentimental when asked about her first hit song, “Patuloy Ang Pangarap.” It was composed by Jonathan Manalo specifically for her during the grand finals of “Star Power,” where each finalist was paired with a songwriter assigned to create an original piece just for them. From there, “Patuloy Ang Pangarap” was played on almost every radio station, became a top request, and later on, the carrier track of her solo album. That song was truly life-changing for her.&quot;No’ng nanalo ako ng ‘Star Power,’ parang gabi-gabi kong nakikita ’yung mukha ko sa ‘TV Patrol.’ Alam mo ’yung, ‘Ito na ba ’yung feeling ng sikat?’&quot; she said in jest, laughing. Even now, the song remains a favorite and is often used in singing contests, which makes her feel proud and grateful,  knowing that her music continues to inspire listeners, particularly the younger generation.&quot;Ilang taon na ang nakalipas no’ng ni-record ko ’yun, tapos itong mga generation ngayon kinakanta nila, so parang, feeling ko tama pala na hindi ako nag-give up kasi ang dami ko palang mabibigyan ng inspirasyon. Paano kung huminto ako noon sa mga pagkatalo ko, eh ’di hindi ko nakita ang lahat nang ito ngayon,&quot; she mused.For Angeline, the song itself mirrors her journey. &quot;’Yung song mismo na ‘Patuloy Ang Pangarap,’ parang story ko talaga sa journey ko, na ayaw kong huminto. Kahit ang daming pagkakataon na natalo ako dati, pero alam kong darating ’yung time,&quot; she reflected. The “ASAP” artist recalled losing in contests and going up against more experienced singers. &quot;May mga times talaga na mas marami pa ’yung pagkatalo ko at maraming magagaling na kalaban, pero lagi kong iniisip, hindi naman nauubos ang singing contests,&quot; said Angeline, adding how she used to sneak out from Mama Bob, just to join barangay competitions. Her mom wasn’t too fond of the idea since most of the contests were held late at night, which often left Angeline too tired to attend school the next day.Back then, giving up never crossed her mind, until she joined “Star Power,” where seeing her co-finalists made her feel small and insecure. She told herself that if she lose, it might be the last singing contest she’d ever join. But fate had other plans, and Angeline went on to be crowned the grand champion. Since then, Angeline has been able to work with seasoned performers she used to just admire from afar, whether on the &quot;ASAP&quot; stage or in other shows here and abroad. But the very first collaboration she remembers was with Regine Velasquez for the recording of “Lipad Ng Pangarap.” She’s always been grateful for that moment, considering Regine was pregnant at the time but still agreed to record with her. Regine’s only request was to do it at her house so she wouldn’t have to travel to the studio. To this day, Angeline is thankful for the support the Asia&#x27;s Songbird has given her in every step of her journey.Meanwhile, her first overseas show was in Singapore for OFWs, produced by ABS-CBN’s MOR. And while she was there, she kept telling herself that one day, she’d bring Mama Bob abroad too. She eventually made that happen, and before Mama Bob passed away in 2020, Angeline was able to give her adoptive mother the love and good life she deserved.She’s done countless shows since, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Angeline’s little ritual before stepping onstage. She always makes the sign of the cross. “Kahit sabihin mo na familiar sa song, kailangan pa rin ng guidance Niya,” she said.

Angeline Quinto takes us through some of her most memorable “firsts” in showbiz.

Angeline Quinto takes us through some of her most memorable “firsts” in showbiz.

Angeline reveals the first item she bought with her “Star Power” prize money—and more stories of her “firsts”

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Angeline reveals the first item she bought with her “Star Power” prize money—and more stories of her “firsts”

Liezel Dela Cruz

Published May 31, 2025 09:08 AM PHT

Read More:

Angeline Quinto

Star Power

ASAP

ASAP 30

Angeline Quinto's Firsts

Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs

Kapamilya Chat

Regine Velasquez

Mama Bob

Jonathan Manalo

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