Does Jolina Magdangal consider herself a pop culture icon?
Jolina Magdangal during the “Lavender Fields” media junket. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
Jolina Magdangal, who’s dubbed as a “pop culture icon” for her distinct style — funky hair accessories and all — and catchy jingles, admitted that she still feels kilig when she’s referred to as such.
One of the biggest celebrities of the 1990s, Magdangal developed a playful and approachable image with her makeup, hairstyles, and fashion. She is also known for her hit tracks “Chuva Choo Choo,” “Tameme,” and “Laging Tapat,” as well as her onscreen partnership with Marvin Agustin.
“‘Yung mga Gen-Z, ineedit pa rin nila ‘yung mga luma. Parang tuwang-tuwa sila (Even Gen-Zs would edit old videos of mine. It makes them happy),” she said of her enduring fame during a “Lavender Fields” media junket.
According to Magdangal, the majority of the fashion items she wore during the height of her fame came from her own home. But while she’s happy that her style, music, and personality resonated with the audience, she pointed out that she didn’t expect anything back then.
“Kinikilig ako. Minsan, ayokong isiping icon [ako]. Basta ako, nag-enjoy lang ako noong 1990s. Ginawa ko ang gusto ko. Kahit anong sabihin nila, susuotin ko ang mga susuotin ko ang gusto ko, at hangga’t wala akong nasasaktan na tao, ‘yun ang magma-matter sa’kin,” she said.
“Iba-iba pala ang definition [ng icon] lalo na kapag nagtatrabaho ka na sa industriya nang matagal. Pumapasok [siya] sa tenga at naiiwan [sa puso]. Kinikilig at grateful lang ako lagi,” continued Magdangal.
(I’m happy. Sometimes, I don’t want to think of myself as an icon. I just enjoyed myself in the 1990s. I did what I wanted. I didn’t care about what others thought of me. I wore what I wanted to wear at the time. What mattered to me was that I didn’t step anyone’s shoes. I realized that being an icon has different definitions, especially when you’ve been part of it for quite some time. I just listen to the praise and it stays within me. I’m always happy and grateful.)
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On ‘mothering,’ taking a ‘mature’ image
When asked if Magdangal sees herself as “mother” — an internet term used to refer to an icon — she said it probably had something to do with her “Mother Marbles” and “Mumshie” nicknames on social media.
“Okay lang, kinikilig pa rin ako,” she pointed out. “Pero ‘yun ang gusto kong iparamdam sa mga Gen-Z. Kahit may anak at may asawa na ako, pwede niyo pa rin akong ichika.” (It’s okay. It still makes me happy. But that’s what I want to show to my Gen-Z fans that even though I’m a mom, they can still talk to me.)
The actress-singer, however, said she is not intentionally shifting her image. She wants to be herself and interact with the audience based on the situation.
“Depende kasi kung ano ang impression ng mature. Kapag mag-usap tayo, kunwari about life, makikita na nanay ako. Pero mag-usap tayo ng kilig-kilig, bibigay ko ‘yun sa’yo. Kapag usapang heartbreak, fears, or anxiety, ibibigay ko sa’yo ang nafeel ko n’un. Pero sa mga nakakakilala sa’kin, alam nila anong klaseng Jolina ang kausap nila,” she said.
(It depends on how would you define maturity. When we talk about life, you would see that I’m indeed a mom. When we talk about happy things, I’ll give it to you. On the other hand, I’ll relate to you when the topic is about heartbreak, fears, and anxiety. The people who know me know what kind of Jolina they’re talking to.)
Magdangal took on the role of Lily Atienza in “Lavender Fields,” which also starred Jodi Sta. Maria, Jericho Rosales, and Janine Gutierrez. She is also one of the leads of the upcoming romantic comedy film “Ex Ex Lovers.”
