Bong: Indio challenge; Dennis: Temptation lessons

MANILA, Philippines - Guess what Sen. Bong Revilla finds as most challenging in doing his GMA 7 primetime series Indio.

Apparently, it’s not the stunts.

“It’s the drama,” Bong admitted when The STAR recently caught up with him and other cast members of the epic-serye during the Kapuso’s participation in the foundation-day celebration of Davao City, otherwise known as Araw ng Dabaw.  

Sen. Bong Revilla with former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Phillip Salvador.

While action-packed, the historical-fantasy Indio requires Bong to engage in heavy drama scenes as Indio, like every celebrated hero, undergoes hardship and heartbreak. 

“Nag-da-drama siya, iyakin si Indio kasi talagang pinapahirapan siya. At least I’m true to my word that viewers will be seeing a different Bong Revilla (in Indio),” he said.

Obviously more comfortable in fight scenes (as well as comedy), the action star recalled the first shooting days; he was one bundle of nerves, restless and sweating profusely as he got thrust into the drama scenes. He’s grateful to have his good friend, Phillip Salvador, assisting him in executing such scenes.

Now, Bong said he’s getting the hang of things, not just the emotionally-charged scenes but also the backbreaking schedule of shooting a teleserye. “It’s tiring and time-consuming. It’s not that easy, as I’ve said it’s gonna be my first and my last teleserye. It’s what I promised fans that I will only do it once because it entails a lot of sacrifice. But no regrets, at least I’ve done it… I’ve always wanted my first teleserye to be big and heavy, and GMA has been very supportive. It’s one project that you can be proud of.”

Asked to comment on the ratings, Bong said, “Of course, iba yung mataas ang rating mo… Okay naman yung ratings. Yung commercial load namin palaging full load.”

“Sa Mega Manila, nananalo kami. The (challenge) is VisMin; that’s why we’re here (in Davao) and moving around,” he added.

There’s no let-up in GMA’s aggressive efforts to win over more viewers from VisMin areas. “The reception has been warm. Anywhere I’d go, I’d hear people say, ‘Indio, Indio.’”

With his senate work and teleserye, will he have time to campaign for son Jolo, who’s running for vice-governor of Cavite this May?

Bong said that he’s not really worried, because “My son Jolo is doing well in the surveys… Among my kids, nakita ko na yun (entering politics) sa kanya bata pa siya, mga seven or eight years old siya, kasi siya na nag-e-entertain sa mga bisita ko, mga barangay captain. I thought, time will come he will also become a public servant. Jolo started as a barangay captain, really from the grassroots.”

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Temptation of Wife actor Dennis Trillo said he never expected that his character, Marcel, would be able to redeem himself in the series. In the GMA adaptation, unlike in the original Korean series, there’s a turnaround for the character of Marcel (the ex-husband of Marian Rivera’s character Angeline).

“Akala ko din maging all-out evil. But there’s been a transition from masama to mabait. So, now with the fans, the sentiments towards Marcel have been divided. Dati galit sa kanila, ngayon naaawa sila. Medyo nahati talaga.”

If there’s anything to learn from his character, Dennis said it’s that “everybody has a right to a second chance.”

Another lesson is that “when you’re in a relationship, you don’t take for granted your partner kasi pag nagbago isip niya at nagbago ang isip mo, it may be too late already.”

Asked if he has found himself in a situation wherein he wanted to reconcile with an ex-girlfriend, “Dumating sa point na nangyari na yan. Pero parang mali yan eh. ‘Pag tapos na, tapos na talaga, siguro, di lang ako nakakapag-isip ng tama ng panahon na iyon, or malungkot lang ako, pero dapat talaga, tapos na. Oo, there’s no turning back. Masyadong marami pang pwede, at wag mo i-limit yung sarili mo sa pool ng tao na pwede mo mahalin.”

Dennis, who claimed he’s single, said that for his next relationship, “Mas maganda kung di na showbiz.”

Meanwhile, while in Davao, Dennis joined comedian John Feir in a diving trip to Samal Island for It’s Fiesta, a show that airs on the regional originating stations to recap the Kapuso coverage of various festivals throughout the country.

Dennis said of his first diving experience: “It was scary because di ako sanay. Parang nauubusan ako ng hangin. We reached 40 ft. But we had diving masters. We were accompanied by them. Maganda ang dive site! There’s really a different world underwater. You forgot about other things when you’re there.”

Expect some of his dive shots posted on his Instagram, the only social networking account he’s chosen to open. “I’m on Instagram because mahilig ako sa photography. I have a lot of photos which I feel are worth sharing.”

Temptation of Wife’s hit run concludes tomorrow.