ALFRED VARGAS is on his second term as QC 5th District Congressman and he’ll definitely run for reelection for his final term. He’s not sure if he’d seek higher office or retire from politics to focus on acting once again. “It’s hard to be a public servant,” he says. “Maybe I’d just give more time to my family and go back to showbiz, try directing. But I’m keeping my options open. We’ll see how we go.”
Right now, he feels happy and lucky that he chose “Kambal Karibal” to be his comeback teleserye. “About 3 or 4 years din akong nawala sa TV. Then last year, GMA offered me a guest role in ‘Encantadia’ and after that, this full length role in ‘Kambal Karibal’ na we never thought would be this big a hit. Extended na naman kami, for the 4th time, up to June. So we’d be running for a total of 8 months. And I’m really enjoying it, being part of a great ensemble cast. Everyone’s professional, especially my two leading ladies, Carmina Villaroel and Jean Garcia who are both wonderful actresses that I have to step up para hindi nila ako maiwanan. Everywhere I go now, people call me, Bebe ko, Bebe ko, which is what Jean calls me in the show. This is the big proof na pinapanood talaga ng mga tao ang ‘Kambal Karibal’. And mark my word, the young stars we’re working with, lalo na sina Bianca Umali at Kyline Alcantara, mga revelation at malayo ang mararating nila dahil sobrang gagaling nila.”
As a congressman, he belongs to the top 10 among 292 representatives when it comes to legislative output. “Pagdating sa pinakamaraming bills filed and approved and privilege speeches delivered, I’m proud to be part of the top 10. Among the laws I helped author and have been approved are the Iskolar ng Bayan act that gives free college education, Go Negosyo Act, Mandatory Philhealth Coverage for Senior Citizens, Youth Entrepreneurship act. Sa priority list naman, kasama ang Independent Film Incentives act, Artist Welfare Protection Act and Freelancers Protection act that aim to help the local film industry and its people to encourage the production of quality films.”But he’ll never forget acting. He has just finished a new action-drama, “Men in Uniform”, co-starring with Rayver Cruz, Jeric Raval, Rommel Padilla, Empress Shuck, about the exploits of dedicated policemen. After this, he will produce a big-budgeted project that he won’t disclose the details yet. “Basta malaki siya, abangan nyo. Di ko puedeng pabayaan ang acting at ang industriya. Hindi ko ito makakalimutan dahil diyan ako nagsimula and I won’t be where I am now without it.”
