AGA MUHLACH’S last acting job was in “Miracle in Cell No. 7” which became the topgrosser in the 2019 Metro Manila Filmfest.
Now, he's back as an actor in Cignal-TV5’s “Suntok sa Buwan”, tagged as a movie series because it’s a series but filmed like a movie.
Shot on location in Baguio and Benguet, this is produced by the winning tandem of directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, and directed by Geoderic Lomuntad.
Aga plays Jimmy Boy, a well loved taxi driver in the place where they live, the Valley of Colors. He’s also a former boxer and now a boxing coach to his son, Dos, played by Elijah Canlas.
“When they first offered it to me, sabi ko, sige I will listen,” he says.
“As they were presenting the story, nagustuhan ko. I felt I have to do it.
"When they sent me the final script, wala na, nagustuhan ko na talaga nang husto.
"Unang-una, it is set in Baguio, so malamig. Sabi ko talaga, kung gagawa ako ng series, it has to be in Baguio para comfortable during the shoot.
“Tapos, mahirap at hindi mayaman yung character ko, simpleng tao lang. Hindi ko na kailangang magbihis ng pamporma.
"I don’t even have to put on make up. This is not the typical drama about a father and a son.
"It’s also about sports, boxing. May action, may fight scenes sa paglaban sa sindikato. The total package.”
How is it working with Elijah?
“I’m happy working with Elijah who I just met sa look test, napakabait niyang tao. Magaling siya.
"Maganda ang team work namin. Sabi nila, lumalabas talaga ang chemistry namin kahit magtinginan lang kami.
"Maganda ang project at maganda ang pagkakasulat, kaya mas madali para sa amin to do our best. He’s only 21 years old, mahaba pa itatakbo ng career niya. He will get better, definitely.”
The show’s producer, Antoinette Jadaone, has nothing but praises for Aga.
“He’s super committed to the project,” she says. “He’d text us his comments about the script. Kung may naiisip siyang idea para sa ikagaganda ng scene, he shares it with us.
"It’s refreshing for us, kasi we thought, icon siya, idol, but it turns out he’s so humble.
“No airs at all. Feeling naming lahat, walang puedeng todo-pasa lang ang trabaho kasi we all have to level up sa passion ni Sir Aga for the project.
"He is one actor you’d wish na sana maka-work ng ibang directors, so they’d experience how good and generous he is.”
Also in the cast are Maris Racal, Rez Cortez, Albie Casino and Matet de Leon. “Suntok sa Buwan” will start airing on Cignal-TV5 this Monday, July 18!
