ANGEL Aquino is genuinely confounded by all the attention showered on her ?Magkaribal? character, fashion diva Vera.

?In all my years as an actress, I?ve never experienced anything like this,? she confessed to the Inquirer. ?People are texting me, commending me for what they believe is a job well done, or asking me about the lipstick or gown I wore in a particular episode. I feel gratified that many viewers are curious about and are involved in the show.?

Inquisitive minds are also fixated on the oh-so-convincing sparks between Angel and nemesis Gretchen Barretto on the ABS-CBN soap.

Angel said La Greta is the exact opposite of her onscreen persona, the fabulous Victoria. ?Gretchen is sweet and thoughtful. She likes taking care of people and always brings lots of food to the set,? Angel related. ?She has her own air-conditioned bus, but she often hangs out with us. It?s like the goddess comes down from her pedestal to mingle with mortals!?

Angel has conceded the role of real-life fashionista to La Greta. ?She has the means and the goods. I cannot compete with Gretchen when it comes to clothes.?

However, Angel also makes sure that she will not be upstaged and/or drown in a sea of designer duds. ?In our confrontation scenes, I make it a point to focus not on the costume, the makeup, the physical aspects,? she said. ?To me, what?s more important are the emotions...the craft of acting.?

Angel has had plenty of practice sharing the screen with beautiful and outspoken women. She hosted ?F,? with Cher Calvin and Daphne Oseña for seven years, and has been anchoring ?Us Girls,? with Iya Villania and Cheska Garcia for the past five years.

Most memorable
?I?ve been hosting lifestyle shows for over a decade now,? she noted. ?This job will never get boring for me because I get to meet new people and try new adventures all the time.?

Her most memorable ?Us Girls? (Sundays, Studio 23) episode, she said, was their Guam trip. ?Iya, Cheska and I really bonded during that trip. Our relationship has evolved from acquaintances to colleagues to friends. Iya and I are ninang to Cheska?s daughter, Kendra.?

Each girl plays a specific role on the show and in their lives, she noted. ?Cheska is our love guru. She offers lots of tips about relationships and life. Iya keeps us on our toes. Iya challenges us to look good and stay fit always.?

As for Angel?

?I am the lola (grandmother) of the group,? she quipped.

Angel is also a firm supporter of indie films. She appeared in Bing Lao?s debut movie, ?Biyaheng Lupa,? and in Borgy Torre?s short films, ?Bonsai? and ?Despedida.?

?I am very choosy, but if I find the script challenging and meaty, we don?t even have to talk about money...I believe in the drive, industry and passion of indie filmmakers,? she said.

E-mail: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com.