Bong Revilla on 'Indio': A sacrifice well worth it

CEBU, Philippines - Bong Revilla, Jr.’s primetime saga “Indio” is marking its fourth month on air this May, with production reportedly scheduled to wrap up by month’s end.

In this grand GMA-7 series – said to be the network’s most expensive to date – that combines Philippine colonial history and fantasy, the actor-politician plays Malaya/Simeon, the son of a goddess and an indigenous Filipino whose destiny is to save his race from cruel Spanish conquerors.

He’s no stranger to hero and savior-of-mankind roles, but “Indio” is certainly Bong’s first foray into the dramatic genre. He’s used to the sword-fighting and the constant exchange of blows, which are also plenty in the series, but what proved more intimidating were his character’s emotional scenes, so he says.

Here, the screen idol opens up further about his milestone television project. Find out what he thinks about when the script calls for him to feel anguished and shed tears.

The frequent criticism is how you can possibly fulfill well your duties as Senator when you’re also doing a TV series that eats up a lot of your time. Comment?

Marami tayong naipasa. Kahit tignan nila sa records at accomplishment reports ng Senado. Hindi ako ganun kaingay at nagmamayabang, pero I’m doing my duty as a Senator. So it’s unfair for them to say na nagpapabaya tayo, because I’m not. Hindi din naman ako uma-absent para makapag-taping ako. That’s my number one agreement with GMA7; anyway, mahaba naman yung bakasyon sa Senado. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — trabaho ko sa Senado yan, bigay niyo sa akin yan. Thursday, kung walang committee hearing, then I can tape for the series. So Thursday to Sunday, ang luwag na niyan for taping. That’s why during the past Christmas vacation, tira kami ng tira, kaya marami kaming nagawang episodes.

What convinced you to finally star in your very first TV fantasy-drama?

Indio is really an epic telenovela. It’s not your simple series that you see everyday. The kind of preparation GMA did for this – kung nasimulan mo, talagang hindi ka bibitaw. So when the network offered this to me, I said I’d do it. I’ve never done a teledrama before, at sabi ko nga, this is my first and my last, because it’s not easy. It’s a huge sacrifice on my part. Sabi ko, gagawin ko ito dahil sa mga tagahanga ko, as a way to thank them for their support to my movies, my TV shows like “Kap’s Amazing Stories,” which is doing well in the ratings and for making me number one during the last elections. Libre ito, hindi na sila magbabayad sa sinehan, pero when they watch Indio, they’re also like watching a movie made for television. Unpredictable yung mga twists and pagtatahi ng mga eksena. Even the casting, halos lahat ng cast magagaling na artista. Tinaas natin yung standard ng paggawa ng telenovela, kaya I have no regrets at all that I accepted this project. Kahit nahihirapan ako, maligaya naman ako.

You’re known as an action star, so how did you prepare for Indio’s dramatic scenes?

I admit drama is not my forte, as I did mostly action films and TV sitcoms. But this time, pinaghandaan ko siya. I had a workshop with director Laurice Guillen and Pen Medina, which I’ve never done before in my entire career. And I’m happy for doing it because I discovered a lot about myself. Kaya ko pala. Isa na akong aktor (laughs). Nakatutok din sa akin yung kumpare ko na si Philip Salvador sa set everyday. I never settle for good, I settle for the best. Marami kasi akong breakdown scenes eh, kasi maraming nangyari sa buhay ni Indio na parang binagsakan siya ng mundo. Nagka-Best Actor na ako for “Idol ko si Kap,” so this time, I want to try if I can get an award for Indio, which is really straight drama.

Is there a painful real-life experience you think about during your many breakdown scenes?

Yes, meron. It was when I lost my mom. Mama’s boy kasi ako and she died 1998, after I won governor of Cavite. Yung huling time na nagkausap kami, sabi niya sa akin “I’m so happy for you son at alam ko hindi lang yan ang maaabot mo.”

Any film projects coming up?

After Indio, I’ll be doing the Iglesia Ni Cristo movie.

Do you watch your daughter Gianna Revilla’s “Teen Gen” show?

Oo. Napaka-kikay niya. Actually, hindi siya umaarte. Natural siyang ganun. I’m very proud of my daughter. Gianna is a Papa’s girl. Nagpaalam siya sa akin. Sabi niya, “Papa, I want to enter showbiz.” Sabi ko, basta bakasyon siya, okay lang. Dapat priority pa rin yung studies niya.

What is your parenting style?

Me and my wife are disciplinarians. Hindi kami namamalo. Instead, we have constant communication with our children. Kapag may problema sila, sinasabi nila sa amin. Kung meron kaming nakikitang hindi maganda, we tell them. Yung tinatawag din nating quality time, every Sunday we go to Church and have dinner together.

How have you maintained your youthful looks?

Nasa tao yan eh. Lolo na ako, but if you want to look young, you have to be fit. If you can exercise everyday or every other day, then do it. Ako, kung may oras, nag-eensayo, basketball, I lift weights, I run…I also have a beautiful wife.