With dedication and hard work, rising star Rabin Angeles proved that everything is possible.
“Ang Mutya ng Section E” and “Seducing Drake Palma” actor looks back on his journey #OnTheRise from starting his career at 17 years old to landing his first lead role in 2025.
According to Rabin, he decided to take a pause in his education to focus on making a name in the industry. He then joined several workshops to hone his skills.
“Nung 17 ako, nag-stop ako mag-aaral para umuwi ng QC mag-stay ako kay Direk Jason. Sabi ko, magsastop po ako kasi gusto ko talagang i-focus ‘yung pag-arte ko. Gusto kong ibigay lahat dito sa pangarap ko. Kasi parang ito talaga gusto ko eh,” he said during an exclusive interview with The Philippine STAR’s On The Rise.
“Wala po akong ginawa halos isang buong taon kung ‘di mag-workshop. ‘Yung workshop ko, as in, sobrang dami. Parang mag-workshop ka dito sa umaga na online, Tapos, afternoon, dance workshop. Sa gabi naman, workshop ng acting,” he added.
At that time, Rabin said he didn’t mind commuting around the metro just to attend workshops. Because for him, he did it for his love of the craft.
“Nasubukan ko pa po na balikan ako Pampanga- QC, Pampanga- QC every other day para lang makapag workshop. Kasi nag-i-enjoy din ako. Hindi ko lang naman siya ginagawa dahil parang pinapakita ko sa kanila na, ‘oh, pumupunta-punta ako sa ganito, kailangan bigyan niyo ako ng ganito.’ Ginagawa ko siya kasi gusto ko din matuto and nag-i-enjoy talaga ako sa ginagawa ko,” he noted.
Rabin first reaped his hard work when he auditioned for a role and got accepted in the series “The Day I Loved You” in 2023.
“Ito ‘yung pinaka-first na malaki ‘yung role ko. Sobrang saya ko po noon. Tsaka ang dami ko talaga natutunan dito sa project na to. Parang feeling ko, after netong project na to kasi, nagkaroon ako ng followers,” he recalled.
But after that project, life once again tested Rabin’s perseverance in attaining his dream to be an actor.
“Unti-unti po nawala. Nag-stay na ako ng Pampanga. One year, wala akong project. Sabi ng mommy ko, aral ka na. Parang wala na ‘yung ginagawa mo. Parang iniisip ko nun, puro na lang ako pangarap. Hanggang sa bumalik ako, nag-workshop pa rin ako, nag-workshop, nag-workshop,” he said.
Rabin kept on showing up to workshops and events until a director asked him to audition for a role for the series “Ang Mutya ng Section E.”
“Wala na po ang project at all. Kumukuha na lang po ako ng mga racket. Sumasama ako lagi sa mga guestings ng Boteju. Para may gawin ako, para may work ako. Sobrang masaya naman po ako doon. Tapos, sinikap ko po, nag-workshop ako na nag-workshop na nag-workshop. Hanggang sa may nakaalala sa akin, sabi, mag-audition ka dito. Tapos, nung parang nag-audition ako dito, hindi ko naman alam na si Andres [‘yung makakasama],” he said.
He admitted that he got nervous if he could get any role in the said series.
“Ang tagal ko po dun sa loob. Kinakabahan na ako, ang daming tanong sa akin. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘parang di na naman ako makukuha dito. Parang wala na talaga.’ Tapos bigla, kaya pala matagal, kasi pinag-iisipan na nila. Tapos, lahat ng friends ko, meron silang kanya-kanya role. Halos lahat na nag-audition doon. Tapos, ako, wala pang message sa akin na ikaw gaganap na ganito,” he recalled.
Adding, “Tapos, after ilang days, nag-message na si Miss Jen, sabi niya, Yuri Hanamichi, nagsend siya ng deck. Tapos ako, ‘ah, may role ako.’ Ganun lang. Hindi ko alam na ang laki pala ng role ni Yuri, diba? Nagulat na lang ako.”
Rabin couldn’t hide his happiness and excitement to finally work again and was grateful for his mom who supported him along the way.
“Sabi ko, ‘Ma, last na lang. Audition ako dito.’ Nakuha ako. Sobra siya natuwa, ang saya-saya niya. Maagang nawala ‘yung daddy ko. Sobrang love na love ko ‘yung mommy ko. Kinaya niyang itaguyod kaming tatlong magkapatid,” he noted.
“Nung lumabas na ‘yung Mutya, hindi namin expect na ganun kadaming tao ‘yung tatanggap sa amin. Sobrang laking pasasalamat ko sa red hair na ‘yan. Kahit ilang beses mo sinaktan ‘yung anit ko Kundi dahil sa project na ito, wala ako dito sa kinakatayuan ko ngayon,” he added.
Another blessing came in Rabin’s life after the series as he was given a lead role for “Seducing Drake Palma.”
“Sobrang saya ko nung binigay sa akin to kasi kakatapos lang ng Mutya, agad-agad may kasunod. Marami pa po akong gusto ma-achieve. Ang layo na sa dating ako, pero malayo pa rin ‘yung kailangan ko mapuntahan,” he said.
Rabin also opened up on why he wanted to be successful—it was for his family, especially for his mom.
“Sinasabi ko kay Mommy kailangan magpatigil ko siya [magtrabaho]. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-goal ko. Pag nabilhan ko ng bahay ‘yung nanay ko, tapos nabibigay ko na ‘yung gusto niya sa buhay, di ba? Pwede ko na siyang patigilin. Kasi matanda na ‘yung nanay ko. Malapit na. Intayin mo ha,” he said.
