Because Jolo Revilla has just broken up with Lovi Poe, his girlfriend of two years, people might think that he lost weight from missing meals and sleepless nights. That’s not the case.
“Yes,” admitted Jolo, “I did lose 30 lbs. not because I am broken-hearted...I am not...but because I went on a diet and I worked out double time for my role in Pepeng Agimat,” the ABS-CBN remaking of the hit movie that stars Jolo’s Lolo Ramon in the first production and his Daddy Bong in the movie remake. “I want to look fit. I also had to train in arnis de mano and other martial arts,” added Jolo whose current weight, 150 lbs., is perfect for his 5’8” frame.
The third-generation Pepeng Agimat will be shown early this Saturday evening, Nov. 7, as part of the ABS-CBN Ramon Revilla Hits TV revival, with Melissa Ricks as Jolo’s leading lady.
“I don’t want to disappoint my Lolo and my Dad and their fans who have seen them in the previous two Pepeng Agimat movies. I watched my Lolo’s version on DVD. I wasn’t born yet when he shot the movie. But I was in my Dad’s starrer. I was five years old then. I played the little brother of my dad’s sidekick.”
In keeping with the times, Jolo’s Pepeng Agimat has been jazzed up into a blend of family drama with elements of horror and fantasy.
“Paiiyakin din namin ang televiewers,” he promised, “at patatawanin din naman. Ibang Jolo ang makikita n’yo.”
In fact, Jolo is now ibang-iba, especially after his break-up with Lovi, his second serious girlfriend after Grace Adriano, Rosanna Roces’ daughter with whom Jolo has a son, Gab. The boy stays with the Revillas now that Grace has found her own new (non-showbiz) love by whom she has a child.
Like Lovi, Jolo insisted that there’s no “third party” in their break-up, neither on his side nor her side even if, according to rumors, Lovi sometimes goes on dinner dates with Ronald Singson, son of Gov. Chavit (now Deputy National Security Adviser), who is Jomari Yllana’s partner in Fearless Productions (which produces concerts, including that of American Idol graduates David Cook and David Archuleta). Lovi said that she and Ronald are “only friends.”
“We parted in a nice way,” said Jolo. “Pinag-usapan namin. Walang third party talaga. I guess we both just want to give our careers more time and attention. Mas okey kami ngayong hindi na kami.”
Yes, Jolo said, he knows Ronald but they are not friends.
Asked how he would feel if ever proven or if Lovi would admit that she and Ronald were an item, Jolo simply smiled.
“I’d be happy for them.”
Does he miss Lovi?
“Well, all I can say that during the two years that we were going steady, hindi ko naramdaman na nag-iisa ako.”
Is there any chance for him and Lovi to get back together again?
“Who can tell?” said Jolo.
In the meantime, Jolo savors his “single-blessedness.”
“Magaan ang pakiramdam ko,” he admitted. “I want to focus on my career.”
After Pepeng Agimat, he hopes to do remakes of his elders’ starrers, including Lolo Ramon’s Nardong Putik, Bianong Bulag and Kapitan Eddie Set, and Daddy Bong’s Alyas Pogi and Alega Gang.
“I also have more time for my son,” added Papa Jolo.
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(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)