Angelika dela Cruz

Maria Lourdes "Angelika" Egger Dela Cruz-Casareo (born October 29, 1981),

Dela Cruz's acting career was started with ABS-CBN in 1996 in the primetime drama Mara Clara and Esperanza in 1997 until 1999, both starring Judy Ann Santos. She later left the network and transferred to GMA Network to do other primetime dramas such as Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin from 2001 until 2002, Habang Kapiling Ka as a lead actress in late 2002, Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas from 2003 to 2004, and then 2005 the award-winning ensemble cast of Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin in 2006. She became a lead antagonist in the revival of Bituing Walang Ningning opposite Sarah Geronimo, which saw her potential as an antagonist as she did her last soap with the network in Prinsesa ng Banyera. She was given more primetime and afternoon dramas on GMA Network.

Personal life Angelika Dela Cruz was born to a Filipino father Ernie Dela Cruz (now deceased) and an Italian-Austrian mother Angelica Egger. She has a younger half-sister, Mika Dela Cruz, who is also an actress, and two brothers, Erick and Edward. Edward was one of the lead singers of the boy band "Freshmen", and died in a vehicular accident on June 7, 2010. She gave birth to Gabriel Casareo on March 22, 2009, via caesarian section. In 2015, she gave birth to her second son.

Acting career Early success Angelika dela Cruz started acting at the age of seven when she appeared in the 1988 film Nagbabagang Luha. She was credited as Sunshine dela Cruz.

She gained notice when she won Best New Actress of the year award at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies for her very first movie Nights of Serafina. ABS-CBN saw her potential as an actress and she plays her role as Joyce in the second book of Mara Clara with Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes.

She was also cast in other youth-oriented movies such as Istokwa with Mark Anthony Fernandez and was launched as the lead star in Huwag Mo Nang Itanong and Seventeen... So Kaka. She received critical acclaim in the movie Manananggal ng Manila which she starred alongside Alma Concepcion, Tonton Gutierrez, Eric Fructuoso and Aiza Seguerra. She was once again able to work with Judy Ann Santos in the primetime drama series Esperanza which made her a household name. In the series, she was first paired with Spencer Reyes however, the production staff later on paired her to actor Jericho Rosales. Her team-up with Rosales made its way to the big screen via Magandang Hatinggabi a horror movie produced by Star Cinema and other television projects such as the teen-oriented horror series !Oka Tokat, Star Drama Theater anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya and F.L.A.M.E.S. They also became regulars in ASAP and Magandang Tanghali Bayan.

Breakthrough After working with ABS-CBN, dela Cruz tried her luck in ABS-CBN's rival GMA Network. The network cast her in shows including primetime mini-series Di Ba't Ikaw, noontime variety show SOP and action-fantasy series Pintados. She was able to showcase her acting ability by playing the lead role in the mini-series Liwanag ng Hatinggabi with award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino and in Umulan Man o Umaraw. Her breakout role came when she was cast as the lead star of the primetime television series Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin. The show became a huge success and crowned her as the Soap Opera Princess of GMA. She also appeared in the teen-oriented show Click but due to her rising popularity, she was pulled out from the show. After playing a good character in Biritera, she went back to playing villainous roles in the afternoon drama series Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka? and in the primetime fantasy series Aso ni San Roque. In 2013, Angelika once again plays the good character as Rodora Santos / Giselle Atienza-Carbonel in Mundo Mo'y Akin followed by Kambal Sirena (2014) and Second Chances (2015) then later she played Nimfa as the villainous mother of her stepson Jay (Kristofer Martin) in Healing Hearts along with Chloe (Krystal Reyes). In 2016, Dela Cruz played Evelyn as Larry's lovable wife and Ana's protagonist mother in Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.

In June 2017, she joined the cast in GMA's hit drama series Ika-6 na Utos as she played the new character, Geneva Ferrer-Takanashi, an older sister of Georgia (played by Ryza Cenon). In that series, she was first seen as a villain but later became good/hero.

In February 2019, she played the role of Lucy Lopez in Inagaw na Bituin as the main antagonist and mother to the anti-heroine, Ariella Lopez who was played by Therese Malvar. She also makes her sister and niece's life miserable in that series.

In January 2022, she comes back to GMA's hit drama series Little Princess as she played the role of Elise Reyes, a loving mother to the main protagonist, Princess Reyes-Montivano who was played by Jo Berry, and the Marcus's (played by Jestoni Alarcon) ex-lover or mistress.

Singing career

Despite an active career in acting, Angelika made her first mark in showbiz through her musical talent for singing. In 1994, at the age of 13 she sang the theme song for the Tagalog dub of Sailor Moon which begin airing in October 1994 on ABC-5. The song was a variation of "Moonlight Densetsu" and the Tagalog lyrics were written by Vehnee Saturno.

In 1996, she released a 10-track self-titled album under BMG Records followed by a second album entitled My Only Wish three years later. The Japanese label Imperial Records tapped the singer-actress to record a few songs, which eventually gained international fame and earned for her a budding name in Japan. To give way to her flourishing acting career, Angelika's singing streak took a hiatus for years, until she later managed to sing once again in 2006 when she was included in the soundtrack the television series on which she starred, Bituing Walang Ningning. She recorded two songs for the series: Miss Na Miss Kita and Dito Ba? featuring Sarah Geronimo.

Lawsuit Against BMG Music

On March 17, 1995, de la Cruz (Lourdes Egger dela Cruz in real life) signed a contract with BMG under which she was required to record at least two albums over three years. But Dela Cruz only recorded one album during the period so BMG exercised on March 23, 1998, its option to extend the contract for two more years. She was required to record one album, which she was able to do. Despite the expiration of the option period, on May 8, 2000, BMG informed her she still had to record one album under the option period. On June 5, 2001, Dela Cruz sued and asked for damages, claiming that after recording one album BMG never gave her any proposal for a second one and that despite the lapse of the option period, the firm refused to release her on the ground that she still had to record one album.

The RTC found merit in Dela Cruz's petition, awarding her payment for damages, and the payment of royalties for the unfulfilled number of required songs under the agreement but BMG appealed the case and CA ruled in Dela Cruz' favor. However, CA deleted the lower court's award to Dela Cruz of in actual damages, in moral damages, another in exemplary damages, and in attorneys' fees. The CA said there was no evidence to support the award of actual, moral and exemplary damages. And since both parties have legitimate claims to each other, CA said the award of attorney's fees was not warranted.

Political career In October 2014, Dela Cruz was elected barangay captain of Barangay Longos, Malabon. In October 2024, she filed her candidacy to run for vice mayor of Malabon in 2025 under Nationalist People's Coalition as the running mate of Malabon Representative Josephine Lacson-Noel, who is running for mayor.

In April 2025, Dela Cruz was charged before the Office of the Ombudsman with plunder involving at least P70 million in public funds of the barangay, as well as administrative offenses for neglecting her duties as barangay captain, frequent absences without official leave, and the unauthorized transfer of her official duties to her brother Erick. She denied the charges, citing slander from dirty politics.

On May 12, 2025, Dela Cruz lost election as vice mayor of Malabon against Edward Nolasco.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1988 Nagbabagang Luha Dimples 1996 Nights of Serafina Diana Istokwa Lea 1997 Mananggal ng Maynila Terry Huwag Mo Nang Itanong Cely Ipaglaban Mo II Agnes 1998 Magandang Hatinggabi Marianne 1999 Seventeen so kaka Neneng Esperanza: The Movie Cecille / Regina 2000 Deathrow Isabel 2002 Hari ng Selda: Anak ni Baby Ama 2 Angelica S2pid Luv Wendy 2011 Babang Luksa Idang 2012 An Angel's Tale Angelika 2017 Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies Madamme Eva

Television Year Title Role 1996–1997 Mara Clara Joyce 1997–1999 Esperanza Cecille Montejo / Regina Salgado !Oka Tokat Tessa Sytangco 1997 Star Drama Theater Presents: Angelika various roles 1998 Wansapanataym: "Musika ni Marissa" Marissa 1999 Di Ba't Ikaw Eloisa SOP Host Pintados Diwata / Reewa Zulueta Liwanag ng Hatinggabi Luna 2000 Click Olivia "Ollie" San Gabriel Umulan Man o Umaraw Andrea 2001–2002 Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Mylene Fuentebella / Katherine Morales / Carmencita San Diego 2002–2003 Habang Kapiling Ka Erica Malvarosa 2003 ASAP Host Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas Mary Ann Santos 2004 EK Channel Host Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Santo Niño de Cebu" Sheryn Regis MTB Ang Saya Saya Host 2005 Entertainment Konek Host Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin Karri Medrano-Ynares 2006 Bituing Walang Ningning Lavinia Arguelles 2007 Komiks: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao Kalagua / Dr. Eva Tabinas Little Big Superstar Star Judge Prinsesa ng Banyera Mayumi Burgos / Daphne Pertierra 2008 Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita Via Fausto Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin Vanessa Yumul 2008–2009 LaLola Sabrina Starr 2009–2010 Sine Novela: Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit Nancy Rosales 2010 Carlo J. Caparas' Panday Kids Ester / Ether Pilyang Kerubin Melissa Alejandrino-Santos 2011 Dwarfina Romera Futbolilits Belinda Almodovar Spooky Nights: Kadugo Ethel Ruben Marcelino's Kokak Victoria "Vicky" Asuncion 2012 Biritera Remedios "Remy" Capitollo Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka? Leslie Montelibano 2012–2013 Aso ni San Roque Bulan 2013 Mundo Mo'y Akin Rodora Santos / Giselle Atienza-Carbonel 2014 Kambal Sirena Reyna Arowana 2015 Healing Hearts Nimfa Fernandez-Villamor 2016 Hanggang Makita Kang Muli Evelyn Esguerra-Medrano 2017–2018 Ika-6 na Utos Geneva Ferrer-Takahashi / Gen Santiago 2017 Dear Uge: K-drama Rama Ate 2018–2019 Daddy's Gurl Oprah Saavedra 2019 Inagaw na Bituin Lucinda "Lucy" Lopez Beautiful Justice Atty. Katrina Vijandre 2022 Little Princess Elise Reyes-Montivano

Discography Year Title Track listing Unknown Tracks A Day and A Night More

Awards and nominations Film Year Organization Award Movie Remarks 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress "Deathrow" (2000) ! 2000 49TH FAMAS Annual Awards German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardee German Moreno Youth Achievement Award 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress "Esperanza: The Movie" (1999) 1997 PMPC Star Awards for Movies Best New Actress of the Year "Nights of Serafina" (1996)

Television Year Organization TV Award TV show Remarks 2017 7th EdukCircle Awards Best Supporting Actress "Ika-6 na Utos" (2017) 2014 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program "Mundo Mo'y Akin" (2013) 2007 21st PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actress "Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006) 2007 Gawad America Best Actress "Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006) 2006 ASAP Pop Awards Best Character Actress "Bituing Walang Ningning" (2006) 2005 Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge Grand Champion Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge (2005) 2003 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actress "Habang Kapiling Ka" (2002) 1998 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Single Performance by an Actress GMA Telesine "Propeta" (1997) 1997 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Single Performance by an Actress Maalaala Mo Kaya episode "Jeepney" (1996)

Music Year Organization Music Award Recipient Remarks 2006 PARI Gold Record Award Bituing Walang Ningning:Soundtracks 2001 Metropop 2001 Song Interpreter of the year "A Day and a Night More" 2001 Gintong Parangal ng Malabon Gintong Parangal Awardee herself 1998 Parangal ng Bayan People's Choice Awardee for Most Promising Female Performer herself 1997 Parangal ng Bayan People's Choice Awardee for Most Promising Female Performer herself 1993 Likhawit 4th placer, Amateur Division herself