As she nears her 15th year in the entertainment industry, Angeline Quinto is exploring work that demands more depth. In Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario, she takes on a role that allows her to do just that.
The drama-thriller follows Diane, played by Angeline, a tenant in a close-knit community that begins to slowly unravel after a series of unexplained deaths unsettle the group, and tensions begin to surface.
For Angeline, the project arrived at a moment when she felt ready to take on a character with more complexity.
“Because I’ll be celebrating 15 years in showbiz next year, I also want to see what else I’m capable of,” she shared during the film’s advance screening and media launch on Nov. 7, held at SM Aura Premier.
“Apart from singing, I’ve always wanted to do this [to act]. So if there are more film offers that come my way, I’ll accept them as long as I can handle it.”
According to Angeline, part of exploring the persona of Diane required looking into her own experiences. To fully embody the character, she had to draw from something real.
One scene in the film, she admitted, mirrored a part of her own life, recalling how she once kept her relationship with her now-husband, Nonrev Daquina, out of public view.
“There’s a scene in the film where I’m hiding someone inside my house—and that really happened in real life,” she said. “When my husband and I were just starting, we weren’t allowed to be public with our relationship yet. It even reached a point where he had to pretend to be a Grab driver just to see me. That’s really how we were back then.”
Angeline’s approach aligned with how director Marlon Rivera wanted the film to feel on screen.
“Diane is a character who isn’t perfect, but she has heart,” Marlon said. “And Angeline carries her real-life experience with her. That’s why the portrayal feels whole.”
Angeline said the dynamic on set helped her grow into the role. “Direk Marlon won’t force you if you’re not ready for a scene,” she said. “He’ll talk to you. That’s why I didn’t feel pressured—I knew we were supporting each other.”
She also credited the ensemble cast, which includes Eugene Domingo, Luis Alandy, Paolo Contis, and Richard Yap, as part of what made the experience all the more enriching.
“I was happy to work with them,” Angeline said. “We helped each other. The set was light.”
Marlon acknowledged the realities of releasing films in local cinemas today but emphasized that the work continues because it still holds meaning for the people who make it.
“We all know it’s not easy to release films in theaters right now,” he said. “But producers and artists continue to take risks because the craft is what they’re after.”
Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario opens in cinemas nationwide on Dec. 3.
