Budding star Angelica Lao got nervous when she learned she would be joining the newly-formed talent group Squad Plus.

Lao, a fashion model since she was 13 years old, has actually already gained popularity through TikTok even prior to joining the group.

“Kinabahan po talaga ako kasi wala po akong idea kung ano ang Squad Plus. Ang alam ko lang po ay the Gold Squad,” Lao said in an online press conference launching the group on May 3. (I was nervous because I have no idea what Squad Plus is. I only know the group Gold Squad.)

But she easily blended with fellow members Renshi de Guzman, Margaux Montana, Danica Ontengco, Keann Johnson and Raven Rigor.

“Tapos noong malaman ko na parang barkada po, doon na ako na-excite. Sobrang saya ko kasi ang mga kasama ko doon ay hindi ko pa kilala. Naging [friends] po kaming lahat. Actually, hindi nga po parang friends, para po kaming family doon,” she said.

(When I learned it was like a group of friends, I got excited. I was so happy because I will be with people I do not know yet. We all became friends. Actually, not just friends, because we’re like a family.)

Lao started to gain her following on social media in 2019, when she posted videos using the Musical.ly app. When her older brother did videos for Tiktok, she followed suit. She has a video which earned 1.6 million views.

“Na-engganyo na ako na laging mag-post,” she said. (I got encouraged to always post.)

Since 2020 was a difficult year, Lao’s TikTok posts became few and far between. But right now, Lao is already excited to work with veteran stars in the light family drama “Merry Me, Marry You.”

“Pinaghandaan ko po talaga siya. Excited ako na magkaroon ng first teleserye po,” she said.

(I really prepared for it. I am excited to have my first TV series.)

When asked if she believes in astrology, Lao answered in the affirmative and shared that she was born under the sign of Cancer.

angelica lao ig — Angelica Lao. Image: Instagram/@itsangelicalao

“‘Yung mga Cancer, sa zodiac sign, sila ‘yung masarap magmahal and very caring. Totoo naman po. Malapit po ako sa family ko at sa mga taong malapit sa akin. Ayoko pong may nawawala sa pamilya namin,” she said.

(Those who are [born] under the sign of Cancer, they are those who are very loving and caring. That’s true. I am close to my family and those who are really dear to me. I don’t want anyone missing in our family.)

And when Cancer people get mad, Lao said they don’t hurt others.

“Kapag nagsasalita sila or whatever, pagkatapos po noon ay naiiyak sila after nilang magalit. Parang ako po talaga iyon,” she shared.

(When they talk or whatnot, they cry after getting mad. That’s really like how I am.) JB

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