As Marian Rivera officially fills in the shoes of Darna in August 2009, the Darna before her, Angel Locsin is now besieged with queries concerning the new title holder.
 
“I’m happy for her,” Angel told Manila Bulletin Online and other members of the press at the thanksgiving party that ABS-CBN feted for the “Only You” cast and crew.
 
The actress is nothing but grateful that she once was Darna.
 
“Thankful ako na na-recognize ako bilang isang Darna. So, I’m happy for her (Marian) at saka maggu-goodluck ako sa kanya at sa mga susunod pang magda-Darna.”
 
A Kapamilya since 2007, Angel Locsin was embroiled in controversy over her sudden shift from GMA-7, considering that the latter is where Angel had her first big TV hits including “Mulawin,” “Majika,” “Asian Treasures” and, of course, “Darna.”
 
Angel’s "Darna" in 2006 had even broken records in ratings with a 52.1 share; the highest a show has ever reached, say AGB and AC Nielsen.
 
Asked whether she sees Marian Rivera approximating or even topping the ratings she hadhad, Angel said:  “Hindi ko po alam, e.. Siguro naman kaya.”
 
As for her recent TV shows, Angel’s first TV series with ABS-CBN, “Lobo,” won in the Teleserye Program category at the 30th Banff World Television Awards held recently in Canada.
 
Chosen from over 800 entries, “Lobo” is one out of 23 that became category winners.  
 
“Nagpapasalamat kami na na-recognize. Isang malaking karangalan yun para sa bansa natin,” the actress said.
 
As an aside, Angel was also cast opposite Piolo in the film, “Love Me Again (Land Down Under),” produced by ABS-CBN’s movie arm, Star Cinema.
 
“Sinabi ko po na kung ano yung naging desisyon ko, paninindigan ko po. Tatanggapin ko po nang buong-buo yung mangyayari sa akin. Nagpapasalamat na lang po ako na hindi ako pinabayaan ng ABS-CBN at ng Star Cinema. Inalagaan po nila ako,” she said of the shift on hindsight.
 
“Siguro kung hindi ko po ginawa yun (network shift), hindi ako matututo. Hindi po lumakas yung loob ko. Hindi po ako makikilala bilang aktres.
 
“Siguro nakuha ko naman po yung respeto ng tao dahil ipinakita ko sa kanila na kaya kong abutin yun. Kaya kong sumugal. Kaya masasabi ko po na wala po akong pinagsisisihan.”
 
As for comparisons with Marian Rivera, Angel said that it can not be helped because their careers have things in common.
 
In 2005, Angel Locsin was heralded sexiest by a popular men’s magazine. In 2008, it was Marian who took that throne as sexiest Pinay.
 
And then there’s Darna.
 
Does Angel have any advice for Marian?
 
“Wala siguro ako sa tamang posisyon… Medyo pangit pakinggan kung galing sa akin.”
 
But if it were not Marian, Angel would have credibly dispensed advice.
 
After all, the actress has been nominated several times in the Best Actress category in different award giving bodies. Angel received the Best Single Performance by an Actress from the 22nd Star Awards for TV for her performance in a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode.
 
The actress is currently - and rightfully - touted as Queen of Primetime, what with “Only You” becoming one of the highly and widely watched series in Philippine TV.