The Second Coming of Ipe

Bahala na si Lord!

That was Phillip “Ipe” Salvador’s initial reaction when I told him that our Conversation would have to be no-holds-barred — you know, “tell-all,” something like a true confession.

Actually, Phillip didn’t have to invoke the name of The Lord to Whom he now offers everything, his life included, as a member of the Church So Blessed, a Christian congregation.

He has just won another acting trophy, for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Baler, Viva Films/Bida Foundation’s entry which won, among other awards, Best Picture, Best Actress for Anne Curtis and Best Director for Mark Meiley at the recent 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival. Phillip plays the father of Anne, a young Filipina who falls in love with Jericho Rosales, an indio whom Phillip disapproves of because he considers him an enemy. The movie is set at the turn of the 20th century during the conclusion of the Spanish-American War when Filipino soldiers fought against a Spanish troop holed up at the Baler church. Jericho is with the Spanish troop while Phillip with the Filipino soldiers.

Last seen in Kaaway Hanggang Hukay (with Edu Manzano and Ina Raymundo, as he put it, “ages ago,” Phillip is into his second coming. He has gone through trials in both his personal life and professional life, and he has emerged a “changed man,” a better person.

“Praise The Lord!”

Two years ago, Phillip also got an “award” in the person of his son PICS, two years and five months old, with his wife Emma Ledesma.

“Every letter of his name has a meaning. P for Phillip, I for Israel, C for Christian and S for Salvador/Salvation.”

How does it feel being a father again? (Note: Ipe won’t admit it but reliable sources said that he has nine children all in all — three with ex-wife Sony Dabao; one with starlet Vivialyn Dungca who’s now married to a Briton and living abroad; one, Joshua, with Kris Aquino; and this one with present wife Emma Ledesma. Who the mother or mothers are of the other three, the source won’t tell.)

“It feels the same even if the last time I (sired a son), Joshua, was 13 years ago. Joshua is turning 14 in June. But winning another acting award is something else. Nanibago ako! It’s my 24th trophy na yata, but my first for Best Supporting Actor. I couldn’t believe it when my name was announced. I was backstage with Anne, Jericho, and Dulce and her husband Bernard. They were shouting, ‘Ipe, you won, you won!’ The last time I got an award...for Actor of the Decade, given by the Star Awards (of the Philippine Movie Press Club)...was years ago.”

You were gone from showbiz for years. Are you back for good?

“Oh yes, I am. I really missed acting. So I asked Malou (N. Santos, boss of Star Cinema). She said, ‘Okay, come to my house.’ I told her, ‘I want to work again. Do you think you can give me a chance?’ She said only one thing, ‘Matulog ka na lang, kuya. Ako ang bahala.’ My comeback was a ‘guest’ role in For The First Time (the first team-up of Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion, now together again in Regal Films/GMA Films’ When I Met U). Then, I did the ABS-CBN soap Maging Sino Ka Man (as the father of John Lloyd Cruz) and an episode for Maalaala Mo Kaya (as the politician-lover of Gretchen Barretto). God is good to me. Before the year was over, binigyan pa niya ako ng ‘regalo’.”

It’s understandable because showbiz is in your blood. Come to think of it, how many Salvador children (by the late Lou Salvador Sr., a.k.a. Van Ludor) are you all in all?

“As far as I know, we are 102 siblings. Top-grosser ang clan namin sa dami ng magkakapatid. A few have died, including Kuya Jojo (Lou Salvador Jr., known as James Dean of the Philippines) who died of lung cancer last year in Las Vegas where he was based. Three days before he died, Kuya Jojo called me. He said, ‘I just want to thank you for loving me as a brother.’ I cried! Then, I asked him, ‘How well do you know God?’ He said, ‘I always pray to Him. We are all sinners.’ I said, ‘Kuya Jojo, do you want to ask forgiveness?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So we prayed together on the phone.”

How long have you been a member of the Church So Blessed?

“Since 2004. God gave me Emma who is a Christian. It was Emma who encouraged me to join. I’m not getting any younger. think I have found somebody with whom I want to spend the rest of my life and who is willing to do the same with me. Mabait siya. I thank her for showing me the way. There’s a little part of our house where I always pray. Nandoon ang Bible ko. When I’m there, alam nila that I don’t want to be bothered. But don’t get me wrong. I don’t go around as if I have a halo over my head.”

Is Emma the last woman in your life?

“I guess...I think so...Yes, she is.”

What’s your mission as a member of the Church So Blessed?

“I want to help lost souls get near God. Again, don’t get me wrong. I am not a perfect Christian. I pray all the time but I sometimes forget to read the Bible. I get invited to speak in our church and in other churches.”

You are a changed man now. What were the things that seemed to be “unacceptable” that you learned to accept?

“That I’m not getting any younger. That no producers are making as many action movies as they used to. That new breeds of actors crop up in every generation. So many things.”

In Baler, you got top billing. It’s a recognition of your stature as an actor.

“Thanks to Kuya Vic (del Rosario Jr. Viva boss) for trusting me. During the movie’s second presscon, Lolit (Solis) stood up and said, ‘I was disappointed that I didn’t see Phillip Salvador’s name above the title in the movie’s ad. I’m glad that you made the necessary correction.’ Kumalabog ang dibdib; parang umangat ako sa upuan ko. Later, I said. ‘Thank you, Manay Lolit.’ She said, ‘Another movie company did that to Christopher (de Leon) and I was so mad. Respeto lang, di ba?’ Saludo ako kay Lolit Solis!”

With the slump in action-film production, you are doing full circle by going back to drama, especially after Baler.

“I don’t mind; as long as I get projects. Anyway, that’s where I started, in drama.” (As the protegé of Lino Brocka who groomed him as a prized action-drama actor in such classics as Kapit sa Patalim, Jaguar, Bona, etc. — RFL).

What is the most bitter pill to swallow?

“Na may nangwasak sa’yong tao na pinaniwalaan ng ibang tao.” (He didn’t elaborate.)

Does your being a Born-again Christian affect your choice of roles?

“As a Christian, I believe that your talent is a grace from God. Doctors are given the ability to cure and writers to write. We actors were given the talent to act. If you play your roles well, you are giving back to God the glory; you are using the talent that He has given you. I am a Christian and I can play any kind of roles, even as a bad guy.”

Are you in touch with your “exes”?

(No comment. Only smiles.)

What about your children?

“I talk to some of them by phone.”

And Joshua?

“I talk to him, also by phone, every now and then. He also talks to his Tita Emma. Okay silang dalawa.”

Do you have any regrets, things that you should have done but didn’t do?

“I could have been a better person. I stand by whatever I did, including wrong decisions and choices, but I wish that I didn’t commit those mistakes.”

What about all the girls that you’ve loved before?

“Wala akong pinagsisihan dahil minahal ko sila. No regrets.”

What about career-wise?

“I’ve worked with almost all the great actresses, under great directors, but I regret not having worked with Sharon (Cuneta) in a movie. We were supposed to do one but I was busy then so the project went to Bong (Revilla, one of Phillip’s bosom buddies). I regret not having been directed by Ishmael Bernal. Now, I want to work with the new breed of directors like Joel Lamangan, Joey Javier Reyes, Olivia Lamasan, Rory Quintos whom I’ve already worked with on TV, and many others.”

Who’s the real-life character that you want to portray?

“Rudy Duterte, the Mayor of Davao City. His life is very colorful. I admire his integrity as a public official and his leadership. Hindi mo magigiba ang prinsipyo niya. Ano ba ang No. 1 city ngayon sa Pilipinas? Davao, di ba?

What do you consider as your best achievement?

“My children. They are all good children. I’m not a great father but my children know that I really treasure them and love them dearly.”

How would you rate yourself as a husband (he married twice, first to Sony... their marriage was annulled... and then to Emma)?

“Ask them na lang.”

If you were to rewrite your life story, what would you change?

“I would right the wrongs and make sure that I wouldn’t hurt anybody. Dami kong nasaktan!”

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