Bong & Vic The ‘amulet’ between them

They have many things in common that’s why they click, among them their reputation as ladies’ men.

But who between Sen. Bong Revilla and Vic Sotto is faster with the women? You can’t find the answer to that ticklish question in their new movie together, Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Si Ako, collectively produced for the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) by Imus Productions, OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV & APT Entertainment and GMA Films. The two gentlemen not only topbill the movie but also co-produce it (Bong for Imus and Vic for M-Zet).

The Ako is played by Judy Ann Santos who replaced Ai-Ai delas Alas when she backed out of an original agreement among the three of them (she, Bong and Vic). But it’s something that Bong (as Agimat) and Vic (as Enteng) would rather not describe as a “reneging” of a done deal but a matter of legal technicality. Thus, no hard feelings for Ai-Ai who, bound by a contract, had no choice but to star with Kris Aquino and Vice Ganda in Star Cinema’s Sisterakas which is also an MMFF entry.

The following Conversation won’t delve deeper into any “issue,” but instead zeroes in on the “amulet” that Bong and Vic are believed to have “swallowed,” the way Bong’s character in the movie does.

Was it made clear in your “gentleman’s agreement” that you should have equal exposure and equal talent fee, and that your roles must be at par with each other? No billing problem?

Bong: Vic and I have mutual respect for each other. I hold him in high esteem and I can see that he holds me in the same way. You know, we’ve been in this business for a long time that billing is the least of our concern, if ever it is. We’ve done a few movies together and billing has never cropped up in the discussion. We respect each other’s space, nag-bibigayan kaming dalawa, kaya naman magaan at masaya ang pagta-trabaho namin.

Vic: Sen and I never discuss about exposure, role or billing. We trust our writers (Bibeth Orteza and Jermyn Aven Jacob), we trust our director (Tony Reyes). They and we know that Sen and I are a team, that we are not individuals. Hindi ako si Vic Sotto at hindi siya si Bong Revilla. Basta, our priority is to make our movie good for the public.

Between the two of you, who’s faster with the women? What “amulet” do you have with women?

Bong: It’s Vic, hahahaha! The ladies’-man label comes with being an action star but I assure you that I am not like that in real life, hahahaha!

With Judy Ann Santos in the 2012 Metrofest entry Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Si Ako: The two gentlemen do talk about many things on the set, but never about personal matters. ‘We respect each other’s private space,’ says Bong.

Vic: It’s Sen! Mas malikot siya sa akin. Just joking. Actually, as far as I know, Sen is a good husband.

While you are fancy-free.

Vic: Yes, kaya okey lang maglikot, hehehehe!

Bong has Lani (Mercado) and you have Pauleen (Luna). What did you mean when you said, when asked the truth about you and Pauleen, that “what you see is what you get”?

Vic: A, eh, you know, I’m not the type who would go into details.

Once and for all, what’s the real score between you and Pauleen?

Vic: Basta ‘yon na ‘yon. I don’t want to elaborate. That way, menos kuwento, menos intriga.

Do you and Bong compare notes about your courtship style, career moves, fathering style.

Vic: We talk about many things…about family, about politics, about everything. But we never touch on personal matters.

Do you and Bong go for the same type of women?

Vic: Hmmmmm, I don’t know. Basta pareho kaming mapagmahal. Matapat kami.

And faithful to one…at a time?

Vic: Hindi…kung saan at kanino matapat. Joke lang!

What do you think women find sexy or attractive about you?

Bong: They say it’s my eyes. I’m happy because many people say that the eyes are the windows to your soul. Maybe they can see my sincerity and honesty. (Smiles enigmatically)

Bong and wife, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, during their 25th wedding anniversary last year with their children and grandchildren including Jolo (fourth from left) who’s running for Cavite vice governor.

Vic: Ang hirap sagutin ng tanong na ‘yan! For me, what’s sexy is what’s inside; you don’t see it outside. It’s more the totality of a person.

 And what do you find sexy in a woman?

Bong: Also her eyes and her smile.

Vic: Her totality. It’s not physical, it’s something deeper. It’s more of the ugali. Maybe unlike other men, I don’t go for the balingkinitan type or kailangan malaki ang ganito, malaki ang ganoon. Basta ang importante, malaki ang puso. Huwag naman ‘yung maysakit na lumalaki ang puso, ha.

Why do you think comedians and action stars are noted for being playboys and, as many people believe, savvy with women?

Bong: I think it comes with the persona that we actors portray. Siempre, with comedians I think it’s their sense of humor…the way they make people laugh and smile. Gusto ng mga babae ‘yon. With us action stars, people look up to us as knights in shining armor, may ganoong factor, di ba? ‘Yon bang they are there ready to protect and save you. These are the traits that women in particular, and people in general, find admirable. That’s why people think that comedians and action stars are matinik (“deadly”) with women.

Vic: Noted lang ‘yon! Actually, I don’t see myself that way.

What’s your dream date (sexiest fantasy)?

Bong: No comment. Censored! Hahahaha. (Turning serious) But kidding aside, my dream date is to bring my wife Lani to a place far from the reach of technology; ’yun bang there are only the two of us and nobody knows or bothers us. It’s quite simple really, but it’s something that we want to do for a long time now.

Vic: I don’t think about it. I’m more of the random person, the at-the-moment guy. It’s more exciting and more romantic if things happen at random.

What legacy do you want to leave behind (as in, how do you want the public to remember you)?

Bong: Everybody wants to be remembered nicely. But then, as they say, you cannot really please everybody. There will always be detractors and more critics, so ultimately I would be happy if I just succeed in pleasing most people, not all people. At the end of the day, I’d be happy if people remember me as a good husband and a good father who has provided well for his family; an actor who never turned his back on the industry and who cared for himself and for his family; and as a public servant who surmounted all adversities and served the constituency fairly, honestly and with all his heart.

Vic: ‘Yung may magsasabing ako’y dakilang ama, which I try to be. As an entertainer? I’m not done yet. I still have a lot of things to do. Teka muna, parang pinalalayas mo na ako, a! Hehehehe!

Last question (for Vic). A few weeks ago, I interviewed Liam Neeson for his latest starrer, Taken, in Seoul. Tell us, are you taken?

Vic: I’m always taken!

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