Angelica Panganiban takes on another mature role in I Love You, Goodbye–Star Cinema’s official entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. The 23-year-old actress will soon be seen on the big screen with Gabby Concepcion and her real-life boyfriend Derek Ramsay.

The former child actress shot some sensitive scenes that could be more intense than what she did in the 2007 romantic drama A Love Story.

When asked how far will she go when it comes to daring roles, Angelica replied, “Depende rin, e. Hindi ko rin masasabi kasi baka sabihin ko na ganun ’tapos maloka na lang kayo sa akin one day.”

Some sexy scenes of ILYG, particularly her steamy shower scene, somehow leaked on the Internet and led people to believe that Angelica was involved in a sex video. The actress clarified that she was indeed the woman shown in the shower scene but it was simply part of this MMFF entry.

Angelica also shot a love scene with Derek, making this the first time that the actor shot a bed scene for the big screen.

“Hindi rin naman kasi ako maarte sa mga ganun, e,” stated Angelica in a recent interview with select members of the press.

She further explained, “Sa mga bed scenes, ganyan, wala naman akong [problema]. Wala naman akong hinihingi sa director na, ‘Direk, hanggang dito lang ang kaya ko.’ Siguro dahil doon, natutuwa sila sa akin dahil nakikita nila na wala akong problema sa roles.”

Although Angelica had already tried going sexy in A Love Story, she said this did not make her role in I Love You, Goodbye easier.

According to the young actress, “Actually, kung gaano kadali or gaano kahirap ang role, ikaw lang naman ang magbibigay ng challenge doon, e. Minsan nga mas mahirap gawin ’yong sobrang dali, e, kasi hindi mo alam kung papaano mo bibigyan ng challenge ang role mo.

“Kapag mahirap, ang sarap ma-challenge, di ba, bilang tao. Kapag nakikita mo na ’yong excitement, lumalabas kasi ’yon, nagre-reflect [sa acting mo]. Pero kapag sobrang dali, ang pangit noon, so paano mo bibigyan ng buhay at challenge.”

The Banana Split actress also did not want to compare this project with her previous movie. In A Love Story, Angelica’s character figured in a love triangle with Aga Muhlach and Maricel Soriano—and viewers were left guessing who was the real wife and who was the mistress in the story.

“Ayaw kong mag-isip ng kahit na ano,” she told PEP. “Malayo kasi, e. Parang maiisip ng mga tao, parang A Love Story siya kasi may dalawang lovers at may isang tao na may nangyayari na love triangle. Pero, ang laki ng difference niya kapag napanood ninyo ang movie. Iba talaga siya.”

In I Love You Goodbye, Angelica’s character Liezl is confused between the two men in her life: Adrian (Gabby) and Gary (Derek). Making matters even more complicated is the fact that Adrian’s daughter (Kim Chiu) is also attracted to Gary.

Find out how Angelica pushed herself for her new role in I Love You, Goodbye. This Star Cinema entry directed by Laurice Guillen is one of the seven entries in the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival that will open in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2009.