Robert Arevalo Sure Winner As Best Actor For His Title Role Portrayal Of 'Hari Ng Tondo'

ROBERT AREVALO was our immediate boss at the original Channel 5, TV station of the Manila Times, when it was closed down by martial law in September of 1972. He was the station manager and we were the head of film programming & traffic. By that time, he’s already an award-winning actor for National Artist Gerry de Leon’s, “Daigdig ng mga Api”, which he says has no existing copy (how sad.) He was last seen as Vilma Santos’ groovy dad in “The Healing”.

Now, decades later that he’s already 76, we’re so happy he’s playing the lead once again and the title role no less, in Carlitos Siguion Reyna’s comeback film, “Hari ng Tondo”. He’s really still very active as a working actor as he also plays Maricel Soriano’s dad in the hit “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real”.

The son of musical director Tito Arevalo, Robert recalls he started his acting career when he shot his first scene for the movie, “Huwag Mo Akong Limutin” starring Aura Aurea and the late Cesar Ramirez, on April 2, 1960. The film about infidelity became controversial as it had problems with the then Board of Censors. He’s later launched to stardom in “NBI” by Eddie Romero. He’s married to actress Barbara Perez and theirs is one of the most stable unions in showbiz.

Robert gives a solid performance in “Hari ng Tondo” as the dad of Eric Quizon and Audie Gemora who takes his grandchildren Cris Villonco and Rafa Siguion Reyna back to his origins in Tondo after his businesses went bankrupt. He finds his old flame there, Liza Lorena, and rediscovers himself. We won’t be surprised if he’d win the Cinemalaya best actor award.