Anne Curtis and Angelica Panganiban: Their time has come

They both started in show business when they were just kids. Anne Curtis, then only 11, was introduced in the movie, Magic Kingdom, directed by Peque Gallaga.

Angelica Panganiban was nine when a talent scout presented her to producer Donna Villa and director Carlo J. Caparas who were looking for a young girl who could play the role of Cesar Montano and Dawn Zulueta?s daughter in the massacre movie, the Antipolo Massacre.

What happened after their auspicious introductions is now well-known fact among Filipinos who followed both Anne and Angelica from the very first day they faced the cameras.

Their first appearance in the movies led to more, and as they were growing up they turned into pretty young things.

The two de-mythified the child-star syndrome of becoming brats with quirky minds. They even went through the ?tween stage without so much undeserved controversies.

Not many children who became part of show business are as lucky as Anne and Angelica, now considered as among the very promising actors in the business.

Anne recently won a Best Actress award at the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival for her role as a Filipina who became romantically involved with a mestizo soldier of the Spanish regimen (played by Jericho Rosales) in Baler. The movie about the siege of Baler, which happened in 1898, was also voted Metro Manila Filmfest?s Best Picture, making Viva Films celebrating the New Year with a big, loud bang.

Meanwhile, Angelica was named Best Supporting Actress by another award-giving group for her role as the young and submissive wife to her husband (played by Aga Muhlach) in Star Cinema?s A Love Story.

Recently, the two bagged an important role once more. And that is to endorse a popular timepiece from Switzerland.

Yes, the two are the new Swatch ladies. Local Swatch distributor Virgie Ramos held an elaborate launch to showbiz scribes last week en le restaurant du showbiz Annabel?s dans le rue T. Morato en Quezon City. No Swiss stuff on the menu, but lots of Swatch watches and accessories raffled off by the timepiece matriarch who was with her able staff among whom were talent manager and marketing consultant Girlie Rodis, and concert director and quondam actor Rowell Santiago.

?We love it,? said Anne and Angelica as they proudly displayed the Swatch they were wearing. ?Being Swatch endorsers is sort of another crowning glory for us.?

?We feel great,? gushed Anne, ?This is totally ?ibang level? na.?

?And I never have to borrow Derek?s Swatch ever again!? quipped a rather very slim Angelica. ? Isah V. Red