Angela Ken

At 22, Filipino singer-songwriter, dancer, occasional actress, and influencer Angela Ken Tavares Rojas -- or Angela Ken -- starred in the 2022 Philippine youth oriented romantic comedy-drama musical streaming television series "Lyric and Beat." 

That was the impetus for her landing a role in The Sandbox Collective's staging of "The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee" this year.

Angela admits, "Yes, 'Lyric and Beat' was my first-ever step in musicals. Hindi ko akalain na from a musical series, I'm now here doing musical theater shows."

"I guess I just love exploring things talaga and adapting."

Performing live is her thing -- she realized that from the series to doing musicals, and today she's the lead in the upcoming 9 Works Theatrical production of "Once On This Island."

"Performing live. That's my first realization. I love performing live for live audiences," she said.  "Ang sarap makita ng mga reactions nila and the beauty of interacting with them. As a pandemic artist kasi hindi ko yun dati nararanasan. And now that I do, the hunger of performing grew in me."

In just a year, after doing the musical series, Angela discovered that part of her is doing theater. It is something that she'd be doing on the side when she's presented the opportunity to do so.

"I can say that theater is now a part of me. The theater may have a lot of pressures and baggage in terms of discipline, professionalism, and skills, pero lahat kasi 'yun nai-improve mo e," she said. 

"Kaya kung may pintuan man na magbubukas ulit for me, I would gladly open and enter it."

Resonating with Ti Moune

Ti Moune is from the French word "petit-monde," meaning "little one." Apart from that description, Angela resonates with the central character -- she's a peasant girl, curious and energetic with an infectious joy for life. She's torn between duty and love.

"She loves taking risks for the ones she loves," she said. "Isa siguro 'yun sa maraming traits niya na nagre-resonate sa akin. She is very true and she's full of hope in everything."

In the production, Angela is paired with Sam Concepcion and Jef Flores as Daniel.

She wants to do musicals someday, whether local or international (Broadway or West End), but particularly "Hamilton."

"I would gladly take any role in that show. I love Hamilton's music, the journey of that show bago pa siya talagang naging show, and how creative it is," Angela said. "And isa din sa memorable sa akin is Moulin Rouge kasi 'yun ang pinaka-unang Broadway show na napanood ko nung nag-US tour kami last 2021 and 2022."

Catch Angela at the opening night of "Once On This Island" on Friday, September 6, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

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