August 15, 2025 | 12:00am
Rabin Angeles was getting ready to giving up his appearing goals to return to high school till “Ang Mutya ng Part E” got here alongside. It was the challenge that reignited his ardour and propelled him into the limelight.
Within the second episode of The Philippine STAR’s On The Rise on YouTube, Rabin appeared again at how his love for appearing was sparked by his household’s fondness for teleseryes.
Rising up in Angeles, Pampanga, in both his grandmother or aunt’s family, he liked mimicking teleserye characters when he was a child, incomes the nickname “Santino” after the lead in “Might Bukas Pa.”
“Mukha akong sobrang bait, kaya tawag sa akin, ‘Santino.’ Sinasabi ko, ‘Ay, mag-aartista talaga ako. Kaya ko ’to, kaya ko ’to.’ Pero mahirap,’” mentioned the actor, who initially dreamed of changing into a physician — a dream his mom by no means obtained to meet.
Rabin seems to be as much as his mom, who singlehandedly raised him and his two siblings whereas juggling a number of jobs as a nurse and name heart agent after his father handed away from a mind aneurysm when he was simply 4.
“Sinasabi ko lagi, gusto kong maging doktor kasi si mommy ko, pangarap niyang maging doktor. Tsaka gusto ko rin maging artista. Nagsusubok talaga ako maging artista nung bata ako. Pero parang, hindi yata para sa akin… Gusto ko pa rin mag-doctor, neurologist,” he shared.
At 17, Rabin made the life-changing choice to pause his research and transfer to Quezon Metropolis to pursue appearing, guided by the director who found him, Jason Paul Laxamana.
For almost a 12 months, he immersed himself in back-to-back appearing and dance workshops — generally commuting from Pampanga to Quezon Metropolis each different day, pushed by ardour and a real need to be taught.
“Nag-stop ako mag-aral kasi gusto ko talagang i-focus ’yung pag-arte ko,” he recalled, sharing how there have been days he couldn’t afford transportation or meals simply to attend workshops. “Nung una na nadidiskarte ko ’yun. Hindi ako kumakain nga minsan, eh, para sakto ’yung pamasahe ko hanggang pauwi.”
His first main challenge got here in 2023 with the BL collection “The Day I Liked You,” which gave him worthwhile expertise and launched a rising fan base. However after the challenge, work slowed to a halt. He stayed in Pampanga for a 12 months with out new tasks, persevering with to coach and attend business occasions whereas his mother gently urged him to return to high school.
“Sabi ng mommy ko, ‘Aral ka na.’ Parang wala na ’yung ginagawa mo. Iniisip ko nun, puro na lang ako pangarap,” Rabin mentioned.
Then got here the invitation to audition for the TV adaptation of the hit Wattpad collection “Ang Mutya ng Part E,” which additionally stars Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga. Nervous and uncertain,
Rabin was shocked to land the function of red-haired Yuri Hanamichi — his massive break, lastly. The collection grew to become a turning level, incomes him a loyal following and boosting his confidence.
After “Mutya,” Rabin was rapidly tapped for his first lead function in “Seducing Drake Palma,” marking one other milestone in his profession. Regardless of this momentum, he stays grounded.
“Marami pa po akong gusto ma-achieve. Malayo pa, sobrang layo,” he mentioned.
For Rabin, success isn’t nearly fame — it’s about giving again, particularly to his mom. His final objectives are to purchase her a house, assist her retire and finally return to high school himself.
Earlier this 12 months, he reached a private milestone by shopping for his household’s first-ever automotive, which he calls the fruit of his arduous work.
“Sobrang laki na ito para sa akin. Hindi ko maisip na makukuha ko siya ngayon, taon na ’to. Gusto ko talaga gulatin ‘yung household ko na nakakatulong na ako sa kanila. ’Pag nabilhan ko ng bahay ’yung nanay ko, tapos Rolls Royce pa,” he joked.
Profession-wise, he goals of working with stars like Julia Barretto and Nadine Lustre, exploring completely different love groups, and taking up more difficult roles, together with starring in a movie.
“I like what I do. It’s not work for me. Parang lumalabas ang totoo ko ‘pag nasa taping ako. At lahat ng meron ako ngayon, pasasalamat lang kay Lord.”
Up subsequent, Rabin will showcase his abilities on the “Viva One Vivarkada: The Final Fancon and Grand Live performance” right now, Aug. 15, on the Sensible Araneta Coliseum, that includes stars from the College Collection (“The Rain in España,” “Secure Skies,” “Archer,” “Chasing within the Wild” and “Avenues of the Diamond”) alongside the solid members of “Ang Mutya ng Part E,” “Seducing Drake Palma” and “Unhealthy Genius: The Collection.”
