Body Talk with Bong Revilla

A Senator. A husband and a father. An actor.

Does it take a Superman to handle these three demanding real-life roles?

Easy does it, says Bong Revilla.

“Time management. It’s hard. It’s a good thing that we have breaks in the Senate and that’s when I shoot for my TV show (GMA’s Kap’s Amazing Stories) and my latest movie (Ang Panday). I always have time for my family. Without fail ‘yan.”

The next six months will be hectic for Bong and his wife, Lani Mercado. He’s running for reelection and she, for Congresswoman of the lone district of Bacoor, Cavite. Two other relatives are running in the 2010 elections: Bong’s brother, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla for reelection; and Bong’s brother-in-law, Rizal Gov. Junjun Ynares (husband of Bong’s sister Andeng Bautista), for reelection.

He’s now busy promoting Ang Panday, directed by Mac Alejandre, which is a co-production between GMA Films and the Revilla-family-owned Imus Productions. It’s Bong’s second time to play the legendary komiks hero created by National Artist Carlo J. Caparas and first popularized by FPJ.

Bong is the rightful heir not only of his father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., in whose steps he’s successfully following, but also Fernando Poe Jr., Da King himself.

“My father’s word is like the word of God,” says Bong. “When I was trying to decide whether to run for Vice President (as Gibo Teodoro’s running mate), he told me to wait for the right time since I was too young. So I decided to run for reelection.

“Si FPJ naman, ninong ko sa kasal ‘yan; idol ko rin ‘yan. Itong Panday is my tribute to him. At least I have fulfilled my promise to him. The last time I saw him, he told me, ‘Bong, take care of Panday. That’s yours.’ Pinamana niya sa akin. Until I did Panday, parang may kulang sa career ko.”

How did you prepare for the movie?

“Physically, well...You know, when the teaser of the movie was shown, marami ang nagtanong sa blog, ‘Why is Bong Revilla playing Panday? Eh, mataba siya! Medyo chubby!’ Aba, na-challenged ako. I said, ‘A, ganoon ha!’ At that time, I was weighing 210 lbs.”

How heavy are you now?

“Only 185 lbs. na lang which is just right for my height, 5’9.5”.”

So what did you do?

“I worked out double time and I went on a crash diet. I lifted weights. I jogged for eight kilometers every other day around Alabang (Village, where the Revillas live — RFL) or in Cavite when we are there to visit my father. Todo workout talaga.”

What part of your body needs some improvement?

“My abs. Naaninag ko na pero ayaw pang lumabas ng todo.”

What part is most vulnerable?

“My head. Nagkaka-migraine ako when I am overworked.”

Favorite part of your body?

“Well, my private part. Hahahaha!”

Favorite part of a woman’s body?

“No comment. Baka magalit ang asawa ko.”

And what kind of diet did you follow?

“Mostly fish, chicken breast inihaw, no salt, but only little sugar because you also need it for energy.”

Usually, what’s your regular diet?

“If you want drastic weight loss, mag-South Beach Diet ka. For two months, I combined it with my regular diet.”

Do you manage to take three full meals a day?

“I take five to six small meals per day.”

What’s usually for breakfast?

“Only three to four hard-boiled eggs...I take only the whites, and coffee.”

For lunch?

“Chicken breast without the skin and one big piece of boiled kamote.”

And for dinner?

“Almost the same.”

Snacks in-between?

“If I’m hungry, I take cheese.”

What vitamins do you take?

“Vitamins C and E.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Not much. One glass every meal lang. But I’m trying to take more, at least eight glasses a day.”

Soda?

“Not usually. I started taking soda only after the shoot for Panday. I have to pamper myself a bit naman. Noong pumayat ako, okey siya sa screen. But off screen, parang biglang naging manipis ang mukha ko, parang lubog ang hitsura ko at nagmukha akong may edad.”

Don’t you have a sweet tooth?

“No. I’m not fond of sweets.”

But you are health-conscious, right?

“Yeah. Ever since. I have executive check-up every six months.”

So you don’t overwork yourself?

“I try not to but sometimes I can’t help it. Kapag sobrang pagod na ako, ‘yon na nga, I suffer from migraine. That’s the sign that, oops!, you should slow down.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“I try to get as much as eight hours. Kailangan, eh.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“Nothing. Hahahaha!” (Seriously now) “A big shirt.”

The last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I pray.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“I brush my teeth.”

No sex in the morning?

“Before I brush my teeth or after I brush my teeth? No...wala!

Well...it depends! Hahahahaha!”

It depends kung, hmmmm, sino ang katabi?

“Okey ang tanong mo, ha? Pinagpapawisan ako!”( Laughs some more)

Do you snore?

“Only when I’m talagang very tired. Pero mahina lang.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“I asked my wife and she told me, ‘Minsan nagsasalita ka’.”

And what name do you usually mention?

“Siempre Lani Mercado!”

How do you cope with stress?

“I go to the spa. But the most effective is workout.”

Favorite hideaway (when you want to get away from it all)?

“I go to my dad’s farm in Tagaytay. It’s all green...very relaxing.”

Wala bang sumusunod sa’yo doon?

“Wala ha!”

Favorite city?

“Makati.”

How’s your love life?

“Of course, okay! Nothing wrong with my wife. Still active, very active!”

Ilang, hmmmm, “beneficiaries”?

“Siempre isa lang. My wife!”

Name three women you think have nice bodies.

(Thinks hard) “Put there na lang my wife and my daughters. Wait, sino ba ang sasabihin ko?”

Well, there are many to choose from, including Dina Bonnevie, Rufa Mae Quinto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Gretchen Barretto, Jennylyn Mercado, Jo Canonizado and many more. Daming pagpipilian!

“Three? Put there Iza Calzado and Rhian Ramos, my leading ladies in Ang Panday, and, of course, si Lani.”

And three men you think have nice bodies?

“Huwag na ‘yung mga lalaki baka magmukha tayong ano, eh.”

Do you still look at other women?

“Siempre. Lalaki tayo, eh. Natural lang ‘yon!”

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