NEWSFLASH

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ANGELIKA JAPAN-BOUND WITH 5-YEAR DEAL

Manila, May 5, 1998 - Sixteen-year-old actress-singer Angelika is leaving her regular ABS-CBN shows for greener pastures. The Manila Times reports that she has just sealed a 5-year deal with Daichi Products of Japan.

The contract, according to the column Prattle, will have Angelika starring in ten TV commercials and a series of print ads, a record album and a 5-year series of concerts in five-star hotels all over Japan. Also promised with the contract is a movie deal.

ABS-CBN tried to keep her in Manila but dangling counter-offers, but Angelika's father-manager Ernie dela Cruz refused to bite.

The immediate repercussion is younger brother Edward's losing a slot in Star Circle Batch 7 even though he passed the auditions with flying colors. Father/manager Ernie got mad and then got even. He brought Edward to Viva Television, which makes Telemovies and sitcoms for GMA- Channel 7. Edward was grabbed by Viva and will be given a regular role in T.G.I.S.

Angelika will not miss local TV work. The Japan contract promises a more profitable and steady income, aside from the guarantee that she will spend a lot of time with her mother, a language professor at one of Japan's universities.

Angelika's parents, though separated, are very good friends.