SEN. BONG REVILLA proudly announces that he has finished one whole season of his new GMA-7 show, “Agimat ng Agila”, on lock in taping in the mountains of Rizal.
“Yes, we did a total of 13 episodes at ginagawa ngayon ni Direk Rico Gutierrez ang post-production. It’s an action-adventure fantasy and I play the Agila, a crimefighter na kayang i-transform ang sarili niya para maging agila.
"Ang treatment dito ni Direk Rico is parang pelikula with plenty of big scenes. Pwede ngang ire-edit ito at gawing isang full length movie for theatrical release. I’m thankful to Atty. Felipe Gozon for his continued trust in me at talagang ginastusan ng GMA nang husto ang ‘Agimat ng Agila’. It will start airing in March.”
He is paired with Sanya Lopez. How is it working with a new leading lady?
“Okay siya,” he replies, putting his thumbs up to signify his approval of Sanya. “I’ve seen our scenes together and everyone says maganda ang chemistry namin on screen. Game siya pati sa action scenes.”
Supporting them in the show are Allen Dizon, Sheryl Cruz, Benjie Paras, Roy Vinzon, Migs Cuaderno, Ian Ignacio, Michelle Dee and many more. The show will be shown once a week on Sunday night.
How come they didn’t do it a daily serial like his past hit, “Indio”?
“Gusto nga nila, pero hindi ko kaya. I’m busy with my work at the senate and in helping people in need.
"Every time something bad happens, nandun kami ng wife ko (Mayor Lani Mercado of Bacoor) to help, mula pa nung Taal Volcano eruption, yung mga bagyong sunod-sunod na dumating, yung pandemic at yung mga sunog sa Bacoor where we helped in relocating the fire victims.”
He says 2020 was really challenging for all of us.
“But we should just be thankful that we survived it, we’re still here. Isang magandang nangyari roon is we saw the Filipino bayanihan spirit in helping those in need. Personally, malungkot sa’kin ang 2020 kasi my dad (Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr.) left us and I miss him up to now. Tapos, na-Covid virus pa ako.”
It’s good he survived it.
“Yung sa’kin, nagsimula lang sa sore eyes, then slight fever. Buti si Lani, pinahiwalay ako agad ng kuwarto. Nagpa-doctor ako and then I was in isolation. Buti walang nahawa sa family namin.
"But my daughter Inah who lives in Davao with her husband Vince and their three kids, lahat sila, na-Covid, pati mga yaya. Buti na lang gumaling silang lahat.”
How about their film company, Imus Productions, will they still do a movie?
“Actually, we’re about to shoot an action film, ‘Budots Man’. Ready na ang lahat, costumes, set, si Arci Munoz sana ang leading lady ko at si Baron Geisler ang contravida, kaso, biglang nagka-pandemic, so hindi na namin itinuloy. Unang-una, may mga bata sa cast namin, e bawal magtrabaho ngayon ang mga bata.
"At hirap talaga ang movie industry kasi sarado ang mga sinehan. Look at what happened to the entries sa Metro-Manila filmfest shown via streaming, sobrang hina raw. Hindi pa ready ang Pinoy to just watch movies online.”
He now hosts his own show on youtube and Facebook Live. In its special holiday edition, he staged “Amazing ang Pasko Christmas Giveaway” where he distributed many cash prizes, noche buena packages and pangkabuhayan packages to lucky viewers online.
Earlier, he also gave thousands of tablets to help poor students to learn online. He also gave laptops and cellphones to teachers to help them in their online teaching in this season of the pandemic.
The show was held on Saturday and Sunday and reached about 3 million viewers each day online. Indigent winners who got anywhere from P30,000 to P100,000 cash prizes were crying tears of joy. All throughout, Sen. Bong’s energy was so high he could very well be a host of his own game-variety show.
He was also asked if it’s true that he’s so strong with GMA management and this is the reason why GMA didn’t renew Janine Gutierrez’ contract with them after Janine reacted with an “Oh God” remark upon his return at GMA.
“Bakit ako? I don’t have anything to do with that. Sa akin, walang masamang tinapay. In fact, if there’s an offer to do a project with her, okay lang ako. Wala akong sama ng loob sa kanya at sa kahit sinupang artista o tao na namba-bash sa akin. Let’s just stay positive.”
