Angel is no typical bag lady

MANILA, Philippines — Angel Locsin said that like every lady out there, she is into bags. But the actress is no ordinary bag lady. She’s big on organized bags.

“I’m like a girl scout,” Angel told the entertainment press, describing her everyday bag as practically having everything from the beauty essentials, to sanitizer and even poo poo kit. “Andun lahat so that in case of emergency, di ka mahihirapan.”

She further shared, “If you have seen my earthquake emergency bag, parang zombie apocalypse yung inaabangan ko (It’s as if I’m waiting for a zombie apocalypse). I have a tent and portalet in my go-bag.”

This fascination for organized bags is channeled into her collaboration with Avon Philippines via the Avon Fashions x Angel Locsin collection of bags designed by Angel, who has been one of the beauty and lifestyle brand’s long-time endorsers.  

“Avon approached me and they asked me if I wanted to do a collaboration with them. I said, of course! I have been with Avon for 14 years, I think, but it was the first time that they gave me that (kind of) offer,” she said.

The actress with Avon Philippines executives Faith Mondejar, communications director; Chescka Diaz, PR & communications specialist; Agnieszka Isa, executive director for commercial marketing; Razvan Diratian, general manager; Anna Llamas, head of fashion & home; and Abigail Ng, assistant category manager for Avon Fashions.

“I was happy also because what they wanted (were bags that represented) me, as Angel, what they think I would use, that would fit my personality and lifestyle. So, I pitched some designs. They listened to me and with the help of the design team of Avon Fashions, we were able to create three bags — for now.”

According to Angel, she was very specific with what she wanted, from the overall look to details like buttons, zipped pockets, clear pouches and matching wallet. “Avon presented to me the materials and we discussed. I’m very grateful to Avon for letting me do this and for trusting me.”

In a recent fashion show that launched the Avon Fashions x Angel Locsin collection (now available on AvonShop.ph), models strutted with Angel’s designs ­— an everyday bag, a sling bag and a backpack — which she described as “perfect for the modern Filipina, (people) like me who are on the go. (These) bags are for mothers, students, career women… which you can use during daytime or nighttime. (They’re) very practical and you can put a lot of things in there. (These bags are) very compact and the most important thing of all, very fashionable.”

She also stressed that these bags are lightweight. This was an important requirement for Angel who has had medical procedures in the past to correct spinal issues.

“These bags, I can guarantee, are for those who have back problems because they’re very light. What I hate with some bags, they can look nice but are quite heavy even when they’re empty,” Angel said.

Angel Locsin designs (from left) a backpack, an everyday bag and a sling bag for Avon Fashions x Angel Locsin collection.

“Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila yun (na dapat magaan lang) because I remember what my doctor said. Parang pinapatapon pa niya yung ibang bags ko because they were bad for posture and could cause injury. We used to think the heavier, the better, but it’s not. We can always find a bag that’s of good quality, practical but easy to carry and for everyday use.”

Angel appears to be open to pursue bag designing as a side career. Fans might have forgotten but more than a decade ago, she took up a short fashion design course at the St. Martin’s School of Arts in London, which counts Christian Dior as among its famous alumni. After that, she created a sports apparel line for a chain of malls.

“Nagamit (ang course)  dito. Akala ko di siya magagamit (laughs). Di kasi ako ganun. Di nga ako nag-sho-shopping masyado. Awa ng Diyos na pakinabangan ko naman yung pinag-aralan ko dun. I did the sketches,” she said. “I really enjoyed it! So, if I can do it (yes). Rather than be stressed over finding a bag that fits my lifestyle, I will just design it.”

Meanwhile, Angel is currently shooting General’s Daughter, which marks her first time to work with Dreamscape Productions. The pilot week of the ABS-CBN series is set in Daet, Camarines Norte, a 10-hour drive from Manila, which she doesn’t mind “because I enjoy long drives more than airplane rides.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is helping the production out. In the series, which is rumored to replace the long-running FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, she plays a soldier who is part of the nurse corps. She will figure in intense fight scenes. While she was told by production that her role requires her to be herself (“as is, how I am as a person”), “feeling ko hindi ako nagtatrabaho if di ako gumawa ng research, so I’ve been going to other locations, like military camps, with production people but mostly on my own.”

She is positive that the action-oriented sequences will not cause any health problems because production is very careful, and so is she. She goes through therapy sessions so as to prepare her body for the next taping schedule, especially when she knows she’s about to do fight scenes.

Angel noted that even before when she was with her previous network, her genre was more action. “Now that binabalik, bumabalik, I’m very excited.”

Her co-stars are Paulo Avelino, JC de Vera, Tirso Cruz III and Albert Martinez, with the series to be directed by Manny Palo.