‘LOLONG’ is starting its Book 2 and Thea Tolentino is among the new set of stars joining the cast playing the important role of Celia.
“It’s great to be part of a hit primetime show like ‘Lolong’ kasi laging ang taas-taas ng ratings nito,” she says.
“As Celia, I am a member of the Atubaw tribe. Yung mga miembro ng lahi namin, we have lived with crocodiles at may power po kami na kapag nasusugatan, gumagaling agad anumang nasugatang part ng katawan namin.”
In the story, Thea as Celia is the wife of Vin Abrenica who plays Diego, also an Atubaw.
“Si Diego po ang long lost lover ni Arra San Agustin as Bella, yung vlogger na napadpad sa lugar namin, ang Tumahan,” adds Thea.
“At yun, magkikita sila uli ni Diego. Abangan nyo po ang reaction ni Arra kapag nalaman niyang mag-asawa na pala kami ni Diego.
"I will get pregnant at yung magiging anak ko, magiging importanteng part din po ng story.”
Vin Abrenica as Diego is the leader of the Atubaws. This is his first show with GMA after doing shows with TV5 and ABS-CBN.
Their tribe was decimated because of the treachery of Governor Banson, played by Christopher de Leon, his abusive wife, Jean de Garcia and their arrogant son, played by Paul Salas.
The remaining Atubaws, as led by Vin, now want to take revenge on the Bansons and their henchmen.
“As Diego, nasaksihan ko ang lahat ng pang-aapi ng mga Banson sa mga Atubaw kaya malalim ang pinagmumulan ng galit ko sa kanila,” says Vin.
“Si Ruru Madrid as Lolong, isa ring Atubaw, pero hindi ko pa alam kung magiging kasangga ko siya o kalaban ko ba. Abangan nyo na lang po.”
More new cast members will join “Lolong”, like Alma Concepcion as Ines, the sister of Leandro Baldemor as Raul.
“As Ines, bale tiyahin ako ni Lolong,” says Alma.
“May kakulangan ako sa pag-iisip, but ako ang may hawak sa isang malaking lihim sa story. Hindi pa alam ni Lolong ang tungkol sa tribo ng mga Atubaw.
"Ako yung magiging dahilan para magkaroon siya uli ng koneksiyon sa aming tribe na siyang pinag-ugatan niya. Dahil sa akin, mare-rediscover niya ang taglay na kapangyarihan ng mga Atubaw.”
Another addition to the cast is Rafael Rosell, who will play the role of a parish priest assigned to Tumahan.
“My character, Father Reyes, is newly assigned to Tumahan and will try to protect its citizens from their oppressors, the Bansons,” he says.
“Pantay ang tingin ni Father Reyes sa lahat ng mga nilikha na binigyan ng Diyos ng buhay, puno man yan o hayop o insekto o tao, Atubaw man o hindi. Maiipit ako sa giyera between the Atubaws and the Bansons.”
Also added into the cast is Lucho Ayala as Victor, a friend of Abet as DJ Durano, one of the elders in Tumahan.
“I will be involved in the war between the Atubaws and the Bansons,” he says.
“Tutulong ako kay Lolong sa mga panganib na kanyang pagdaraanan but may malaking twist doon sa character ko na dapat nyong abangan.”