She will again be paired to her Lobo leading man Piolo Pascual. Piolo will play as Jorge Luis del Olmo, Maria Mercedes's love interest.
The remake is said to be directed by the box-office movie director Cathy Garcia-Molina.
Included in the star studded cast are: Cherie Gil as Malvina del Olmo, Edu Manzano as Santiago del Olmo, Nancy Casteliogne as Digna del Olmo, Gina Pareño as Filogonia, Rica Peralejo as Mistica, Ara Mina as Magnolia, Niña Jose as Rosario Muñoz and Zanjoe Marudo as Chicho.
"Maria Mercedes" was one of the hit telenovelas of Thalia during the peak of Mexicanovela invasion in the country. It was the very first series of Thalia in Philippine television even before "Marimar" and "Maria la del Barrio."
ABS-CBN bought "Maria Mercedes" rights in 1996 opposite to RPN-9's "Marimar" that became more popular at that time.
The tentative airing of "Maria Mercedes" on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida is in 2009.
Aside from the remake of "Maria Mercedes," Angel will also have her first movie with Piolo under Star Cinema.
The movie will be shot in Bukidnon, Mindanao and in some cities in Australia. It is expected to be shown in theaters nationwide on October 1, 2008.
Angel is also slated to do a Valentine movie with John Lloyd Cruz and another movie with Aga Muhlach in 2009 both under Star Cinema. (JRDB/Sunnex)
