Agimat ng Agila levels up the action in Season 2

After delivering a compelling storytelling in season one, Agimat ng Agila has embarked on a season two or book two as Filipino viewers would put it. It’s safe to say that its successful primetime weekend run and audience engagement inspired the creative and production team to further explore the story concept’s expansive nature.

Viewers can only expect a level-up narrative, replete with that hybrid genre of action, adventure, family drama, fantasy and romance, as well as the forthcoming interactions and tensions created by the previous and present characters. They will start to experience all of this when Agimat ng Agila Season 2 premieres on Jan. 29.

“Well, hanggat sumasalang ka sa ganyan, every time you have a film to (screen), for example, (or a TV series) to air… nanduon pa rin yung kaba,” said Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of headlining Agimat ng Agila again as Task Force Kalikasan head Major Gabriel Labrador, in a recent virtual press conference. “I believe that we did our best. So, let’s leave it to the people and let them judge it after watching (the show)… I’m very proud of this project and magagaling talaga yung kasamahan ko (My colleagues are very good).”

The Agimat ng Agila Season 1 was able to clear the ground and lay the foundation, by focusing on the story’s mythological aspects and origins, as shared by head writer Jojo Tawasil Nones. From such an expository direction, Season 2 took on the challenge to show Gabriel’s development as a superhero and make a clear picture of that secret identity.

“Meron siyang laging si-no-solve, meron siyang laging hinahabol (He will always be seen figuring out and running after something),” shared he, “but there will be more twists and turns along the way. Kahit mas ma-action ang Season Two, the fantasy element remains strong.”

Physical action-wise, doing hand-to-hand combat was the tall order of the day for Bong, who never backed down to any intense fight scenes and made sure he was fit to play Gabriel.

“I really had to prepare for this, talagang nag-pa-condition ako dito physically,” recalled he. “We’re not getting any younger, so, mga bata yung mga kasabay ko… Makikita ninyo naman if you compare my looks in Book One to my looks in Book Two, you will see the difference.”

That difference was a product of his commitment to “work out almost every day,” said Bong, who would combine boxing and kickboxing as a fitness routine. “So, pati yung mga rolling, rolling na yan, nanduon pa rin yung training. We couldn’t veer away from it. Lalo na sa mga ginagawa nating action scenes, a lot of stretching (is required).”

To be in the zone, the actor also coupled that with a mindset of the young. “Kailangan mo talagang i-improve ang sarili mo sa lahat ng bagay (You need to improve yourself in all aspects),” added he. That’s why when taping commenced and progressed, Bong could readily step into the role of Gabriel.

“This season, we concentrated more on action sequences and explosions, talagang pinaghandaan namin,” said director Rico Gutierrez. “In a day, sometimes we only did six sequences just for the sake na gusto naming pagandahin pa yung mga action sequences. So, mas madaming action in this new season, definitely, mas aabangan.”

It was one way of surpassing what the GMA series had set and offered in the first season.

“(In) every project that we do, we really need to surpass the first one,” said Sen. Bong. “So, yun talaga ang inambisyon natin (that’s what we aspired to do) with direk Rico and GMA. GMA was very supportive, mas pinalaki ito… makikita ninyo naman sa mga performance ng ating mga kasamang artista.”

Sharing their talent are Gardo Versoza as the new nemesis named Zeus Limjoco to Bong’s Gabriel; and Rabiya Mateo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020, as Agent Asha Raj, the new leading lady, along with Sanya Lopez, who reprises her headstrong but compassionate adopted child role, Maya Lagman.

“Kayo ang huhusga niyan (The viewers will be the judge),” replied Bong when asked about his and Rabiya’s onscreen chemistry. “She’s a very good actress… si direk mismo ang makapagsasabi nyan at yung mga nanonood.”

He was happy that he had the chance to be paired up with Sanya, now a face of GMA 7’s Sparkle, and Rabiya, a promising Kapuso talent.

“Pareho silang magaling,” said he, “at nakikita ko na malayo din ang mararating ni Miss Rabiya. Malay mo maging action queen yan (Who knows she might be an action queen in the future)?, ang galing sa mga stunts, matapang at magaling umarte… in fact, kapag nakakalimutan ko yung linya ko, memorize niya pati yung lines ko.”

As for being billed in special participation for Agimat ng Agila Season 2, Sanya, who will also be seen in First Yaya’s sequel, First Lady, said, “What will happen to my character is something viewers can look forward to. Si Maya, siguro mas nag-level up yung pagmamahal niya dito kay Gabriel, dito kasi sila na (they are now a couple), dito natin makikita kung hanggang saan yung pagmamahal ni Gabriel para kay Maya at si Maya kay Gabriel (the new season will measure and test their love for each other).”

Action sequences are part of any big-screen and small-screen narrative, but Agimat ng Agila has reminded everyone that action is an engaging genre.

“Action will always be there, mawawala yan for a while, but babalik yan,” said Sen. Bong, who remembered that in ‘70s, the popularity of action was taken over by a new film genre, but the former was able to resurfaced and make a comeback. “Babalik at babalik yan. Tayo naman hanggat nandidito tayo na kaya pa rin nating umaksyon, gagawa tayo ng mga magagandang action para hindi mawala ito.” To keep such tradition of action storytelling, actors like Bong need collaborators like Rico, who provide the genre a fresh take. “He did everything to give Agimat ng Agila a new look kaya saludo ako sa napaka-galing na director na yan (that’s why I’m hats off to him),” added he.

Part of the ensemble acting are Elizabeth Oropesa, Benjie Paras, Betong Sumaya, Kim de Leon, Lia Salvador, Sandro Muhlach and Shermaine Santiago.