Bong on his ‘first time’

MANILA, Philippines - It’s a first for Sen. Bong Revilla as he topbills Indio, which serves as the opening salvo of GMA 7 for 2013.

“It’s my first soap. I underwent a workshop for this. Viewers are going to see a different Bong Revilla (in this project),” the actor-politician said in a presscon following his signing of a two-year exclusive contract as a Kapuso last Tuesday.

The primetime series is historical fantasy-fiction in theme and story, set in a 16th-century Philippines. Similar to the “epic-serye” Amaya —  GMA’s biggest and highest-rated soap last year — it has tapped historians as consultants and is expected to be massive in terms of production and budget. It will run for 20 weeks.

Among his co-stars are Jennylyn Mercado, Maxene Magalona, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff, Sarah Lahbati, Agot Isidro and Michael de Mesa.

What made him decide to finally act in a teleserye? “It was a matter of timing. Of course, I had to check with myself if I’m capable of doing it because it’s a tough job. Pero sabi ko, hangga’t bata pa ako, I’ll give it a try. I don’t know if this will be my first or my last soap because it’s really not easy to do. But I’m doing this for my fans, and since I’ll not get to do this often, I’ll have to do it right.”

Indio is his fourth TV project for the network. He said it was GMA who gave him his TV break via Idol Ko Si Kap that ran from 2000 to 2005, followed by Hokus Pokus, 2005 to 2007, and then Kap’s Amazing Stories, which is still airing.

Bong also revealed that in recent years, he also received offers from ABS-CBN, “but I’m a Kapuso. How can you leave a network that really looks after you?” But he remains open to continue doing movies with Star Cinema.

According to GMA Network chairman and CEO lawyer Felipe Gozon, “We’re happy (with his loyalty). That’s why we gave our biggest project for 2013 to him.”

Gozon also revealed that based on a survey they commissioned, it was Sen. Bong who emerged as the “most popular talent not only on GMA but in all TV stations.”

“That’s why in the most far-flung areas that have been just reached by our signal, you would see that GMA is represented (in posters) by Bong and (congressman) Manny Pacquiao,” added GMA president and COO Gilberto Duavit.

In a separate interview, Sen. Bong was asked to comment on the forthcoming 2013 elections, which is poised to be as star-studded as ever, with more showbiz personalities gunning for elective posts (including his 24-year-old son Jolo as vice governor of Cavite): “Just one thing, that they (especially those entering politics for the first time) have to put it in their heart that this is not showbiz, this is public service. So they might as well do it right.”

To Jolo: “Palagi kong sinasabi sa kanya na ingatan ang pangalan natin.” How about love life advice? (In interviews, Jolo has confirmed, although indirectly, his relationship with Jodi Sta. Maria. Incidentally, Jolo is running against the brother of Jodi’s estranged husband, Pampi Lacson.)       

“When it comes to love life, he’s of age already, he knows what is right and what is wrong, so hanggang pangaral na lang tayo. Kung san siya maligaya, suportahan natin siya. Is he happy? I think so,” he said.

As for his detractors and critics who are saying that he should stick to showbiz,“Thank you,” Sen. Bong said. “I’m used to it.”

 â€œI have my own way of doing it,” he said, referring to his work at the Senate. “Alam natin kung gaano kagagaling ang mga kasamahan natin. Di ako magaling makipag-debate sa kanila, but I have so many ways of doing it, na maipasa ang mga batas ko at isabay sa senador na maraming napasang panukalang batas, so, kita na nagtatrabaho talaga tayo. All I can say is that they can check my record at the Senate.”

His second and final senate term is ending in 2016. Has he made any plans already? “Malayo pa ang 2016… When it comes to 2016, I believe in destiny.”

With the year coming to a close, Sen. Bong reflected that a lot has, indeed, happened recently, especially to his family, like the tragic killing of his half-brother late last year. “My God, maraming nangyari sa amin! The pain that we experienced! Despite that — with the trials that have come — not all were bitter (experiences), a lot of positive things have also happened to us. That’s why we’re very, very thankful to God. We’re also so blessed.”