Bong: 'I can't let my dad down'

MANILA, Philippines – By now, the whole world knows that, besides good looks and acting talent, Bong Revilla has inherited from his dad, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., what could be one of his most precious possessions as an actor — his agimat (amulet).

“I treasure this gift,” admitted Bong, “so I can never and I will never let my dad down.”

As he has said in interviews, Bong values the agimat as much as he does Panday, the legendary komiks hero created by Komiks King and National Artist Carlo J. Caparas, which Bong inherited from his other idol, Da King (FPJ), who was Bong’s ninong.

“Alagaan mo ‘yan,” was what FPJ reminded Bong when he entrusted to Bong the iconic character that made FPJ box-office king in several Metro Filmfests.

And Bong has been taking care of both inheritance.

“I take care of them as I do our family name and honor,” added Bong.

Bong’s first Agimat outing was a few years ago in a Metro Filmfest, in Ang Agimat: Anting-Anting ni Lolo which was virtually a family affair because not only did it mark his baptism as Ramon Sr.’s agimat “heir,” the movie also stars his own son Jolo Revilla as the young Bong who inherits the agimat from his grandfather who is played by no less than Ramon Sr. himself.

Like Ramon Sr., Bong has been a consistent top-grosser in Metro Filmfests (just as he’s likewise a topnotcher in the political arena, having topped last May’s senatorial race). It’s a tradition much too challenging to sustain but Bong has been beautifully doing it.

“There’s my dad to guide me,” he said. “He’s my guiding star, just as Ninong FPJ is the one when I’m doing a Panday movie.”

Now teamed up with Vic Sotto, who is another Metro Filmfest top-grosser, in Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote, Bong ups the ante for Agimat, and does Vic for his own iconic role that he originated in television. Predicted to break all box-office records, the movie combines eye-popping action and side-splitting comedy, with Bong and Vic switching specialties and genres with ease. Bong has proven his comedic talent in sitcoms and Vic himself has done “action” in his previous films even if they’ve been basically comedies.

Because they are professionals, Bong and Vic didn’t quibble about the billing; first and foremost in their minds was to give the public total entertainment worth their money. 

Also starring newcomers Sam Pinto as Bong’s love interest and Gwen Zamora for Vic, Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote is co-produced by Bong and Vic themselves under their own Imus Productions and M-ZET Films respectively, together with GMA Films, OctoArts Films and APT Entertainment.

Among the other stars are Amy Perez as Ina Magenta, Bing Loyzaga as Satana, Aiza Seguerra as Aiza (Enteng’s eldest daughter), Oyo Sotto as Benok (Enteng’s son), Ruby Rodriguez as Amy (the Kabisotes’ trusted househelp), Jose Manalo as Jose, Wally Bayola as Upaw, ER Ejercito as Ragat, Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio and Jillian Ward as Bebeng.  

Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote is now showing in theaters.