Ram in papa’s footsteps

Growing amidst the glare of klieg lights can be quite thrilling. After all, not many kids get the chance to see their dad and kuya play onscreen heroes who slug it out with the toughest villains and cavort with their leading ladies at the same time.

For newcomer Ram Revilla, those vivid scenes served as his inspiration and later fueled his thirst for acting – a passion that now rises to fever pitch as he eagerly awaits his silver screen debut.

With his agimat-wielding dad, Ramon Revilla Sr. now in public office and his kuya Bong set to enter the Senate, the young Ram could very well be the heir of the Revilla’s acting estate.

It’s a classic case of art imitating life as the 16-year-old jumpstarts his movie career via Anak Ka ng Tatay Mo, where he co-stars with such big names as Albert Martinez, Jean Garcia and Snooky Serna.

The film, directed by Edd Palmos, also marks the initial venture of Magsaysay Films – a sister company of the Revilla-owned Imus Productions. The budding production outfit is owned and managed by Ram’s mom, former Regal Films actress Genelyn Magsaysay.

Ram plays Dino, a rebel teener torn between his life-long dream to make it big as a boxer and his father’s conflicting plans for him to be a baseball star.

Albert portrays his stepdad, Snooky plays the doting mom, and the feisty Jean Garcia plays the prostitute who the kid always runs to for advice.

To some extent, the storyline echoes the athletic teener’s love for boxing – a passion he shares with his dad. "My dad would always take me to boxing matches," Ram recalls. "Especially those UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion) matches. I also remember watching Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Dad when I was 13."

Displaying an uncanny sense of foresight, Ram took up boxing lessons at the Elorde Gym last year in preparation for the movie. "I knew I had to get myself in shape to do justice to the role," he says.

It was with the same veracity that Ram clinched his life-long desire to pursue his showbiz dream. "It started out as a bet between Dad and me," Ram eagerly shares. "About four years ago, I was really fat, and my dad said, "Okay, if you lose weight and shape up, we’ll make your first movie and I’ll get you a car."

By the time his dad came back from his medical operation from the US, Ram had lost so much weight that the elder Revilla was shocked. "In no time, he was rushing the papers for the car," he chuckles.

Apparently, Ram had his first taste of the klieg lights when he was one-and-a-half years old – playing his dad’s and Eula Valdez’s son in Cris Cuenca. He also appeared in the Romy Suzara flick Hiram, when he was 14.

Aside from boxing, Ram indulges in shooting, karting, paintball and relaxes by watching DVDs or going online to chat or check up his friendster network.

He is also on his senior year in high school – finishing a home study course in Mt. Carmel in BF Homes, Parañaque. Ram is the eldest in a brood of five boys and four girls.

Despite their showbiz trappings, his dad and kuya Bong had been instilling the value of education on Ram early on. "That’s the best advice they’ve given me, aside from some offhand acting lessons," he adds. "Like, kuya Bong would always ask me to act naturally."

Inspired as well by his dad’s and brother’s forays into politics, Ram intends to run as councilor when he turns 19. "I want people to be inspired by someone who makes it on his own from humble beginnings," he says.

Ram looks up to Ben Affleck, Nicole Kidman, Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano and his dad, of course, for inspiration. "I also like Eddie Murphy’s brand of comedy," Ram points out.

Being a greenhorn doesn’t discourage him from asking pointers from his seniors. "I owe a lot to Albert (Martinez), whom I’d always ask off the set," Ram says. "He’s (Albert) is so generous with his time and advice. He’d always give me tips about proper delivery and timing. He also stresses the value of being professional by always being on time."

Given a choice, Ram would like to pursue action/drama roles in the near future. Without intending to sound too pompous, he says, "I do plan to surpass my dad’s and brother’s achievements. I want to be the youngest action star today. It’s a pity most of today’s teen actors are stuck in love teams."

It’s only a matter of time before Ram steps out of his father’s and brother’s shadows and shines on his own.

Ram is managed by Arnold Vegafria of ALV Productions.