The kick that won for Makisig the Inggo role

A little sample of his high-flying karate kick and Makisig Morales won the hearts of the judges who held a month-long search for the kid who will play the title role in ABS-CBN’s new series Super Inggo. The perky Little Big Star 2 finalist bested 1,000 kids who answered the call for auditions.

Makisig may look like a wiry boy who himself needs protection from the world’s wicked ways. But don’t let those impish eyes and ready smile fool you. The fourth grader at La Colletta Academy holds a blue belt in karate. His idols are the types you don’t mess around with: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Japoy Lizardo.

And even if you have to peer down a bit to address Uldarico and Jacqueline Morales’ second son in a brood of seven, you will look up to Makisig for aiming high, not for himself, but for his family.

The boy wants to buy a house for his big family and a career as actor-director someday. Right now, he’s proud to have a Nissan Sentra he bought with his own earnings. It takes him and his dad, a former member of the popular Singing Cooks and Waiters, to and from showbiz assignments.

Makisig divides his time between his studies and tapings as the super hero who doesn’t know he has the power of telekinesis until he turns 10. The good guy that he is, Budong (Super Inggo’s alter ego) wastes no time fighting an array of enemies, among them the Prince of Darkness (played by Australian Brad Murdoch), a manananggal, tikbalang, Lotus Feet of Feng Shui fame and the White Lady.

Scary? Not for Makisig. Not even if a harness hoists him 10 feet above the ground. There is no height too forbidding, no role too difficult for him to tackle.

"Kids can identify with Makisig as Super Inggo because he looks very Filipino," says a comebacking Herbert Bautista, who plays Kumander Bawang in the series, which starts airing on Aug. 28 on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida.

And for those who worry Makisig is being robbed of a normal childhood, fret not. Murdoch may be evil in the fantaserye but offcam, he acts as Makisig’s playmate. Thanks to him, Makisig has learned how to enjoy a game of frisbee.

Like any normal kid, Makisig still finds time to laugh at the antics of Mr. Bean (cartoon version) if he’s not buried in books of acting on the set.

And, thanks to his parents, Makisig has kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. Like most kids from large families, Makisig had his fair share of household chores before showbiz made him too busy to continue doing them.

One of them was getting down on all chores and cleaning the comfort room. Another was making sure the water pitcher was filled to the brim before it is placed inside the refrigerator.

Now that the round of tapings has made it hard for Makisig to go on with those chores, his siblings have gladly taken over. Far from wallowing in sibling rivalry, Makisig’s brothers and sisters willingly take over. They know Makisig is working hard to give them the comforts in life, starting with something as simple as the groceries, to something grander, like a beautiful house for them.

This attitude of giving says a mouthful, not only about Makisig, but about how his parents have raised their precocious nine-year-old celebrity – so far.

Let’s cross our fingers Makisig Morales will remain this way, until he grows up to be everything he wants to be – and more.