The taming of Aga Muhlach

Family has tamed Aga Muhlach. After being married for two years, Aga has devoted his attention to his family – as husband to Charlene Gonzales and doting dad to twins Atasha Aaron and Antonio Andres. Since the day he tied the knot more than two years ago (on May 28, 2001), Aga knew married life would discipline him. While he used to spend a lot of time going out at nights and hanging out with friends, Aga now prefers to stay home when he’s free from showbiz commitments.

"I stopped drinking, too," Aga says. "You usually do a lot of crazy things when you’re drunk, so I gave that up. I have a very good and loving wife. Sobrang sama ko na lang siguro kung gagawa pa ako ng kalokohan. I don’t even want to think of it."

The award-winning actor never feels so blessed as he is now. With a career on top of the showbiz heap, a loving wife and two wonderful children, Aga has learned to be thankful for all the blessings that continuously come his way.

"Sometimes, I just kneel down even in the middle of the day, to thank God for all His blessings," Aga allows. "I’m really so blessed. People think I work every day, but I only work once a week, to tape for my sitcom on ABS-CBN, Okay Fine, Whatever. The blessings just keep pouring in and it just overwhelms me, that’s why I’m so thankful to Him."

Aga believes that God has a mission for him that’s why he is being blessed tremendously. "Maybe He simply wants me to be good and faithful to my wife and children or maybe He wants me to continue being in this business and entertain people. Whatever it is, I don’t know. I never asked God why? I simply thank Him for everything He’s been giving me."

In the past, Aga had been through enough hardships in life that’s why he knows how to value his money now. In his early days in showbiz, he experienced being snubbed and turned down by a lot of people. He’s had days of having no money in his wallet. However, when his career started taking a different direction in 1991, Aga did not have to experience again what he previously went through in life. Thanks to his talent manager, Ethel Ramos, who has guided his every move, making sure he makes the right choices and decisions.

Not only is Aga the most sought-after male celebrity endorser today who commands millions for his advertising contracts. He is also an in-demand dramatic lead who consistently draws big crowds at the box office.

That’s why no matter how some sectors try to lure him into entering politics, Aga doesn’t bite the offer since he is content with his career and personal life. He denies that he is throwing his hat into the political ring and has declined offers to run for senator or Muntinlupa mayor.

"Politics is not for me," Aga asserts. "I’ve been living a quiet life and I don’t want to complicate it by entering politics. Public service doesn’t require seeking an elective post. You can do good and start with your own family. You can set the right direction. That way, you’re also setting a good example to other people in the hope that they will do the same."

Aga’s eyes light up when he talks about his twins – Atasha Aaron and Antonio Andres – who are turning two in November. He often takes them to his seven-hectare farm in Batangas City, which he wants to develop into a little "paradise" for his family.

He swears that his kids are not spoiled, but are simply being given enough love, care and attention. Even their toys are not the expensive ones. "We don’t buy them expensive toys," Aga says. "The only expensive toys they have are the ones given to them as gifts. Kids easily outgrow their things. Even their strollers and high chairs are the portable ones which we can bring anywhere we go. We don’t want them to get used to expensive things so they will not look for them when they grow up. We want to raise them the normal way without lavishing material things on them."

Even if he’s very visible on TV as a product endorser and star of the ABS-CBN sitcom, Okay Fine, Whatever, Aga finds time for film projects, although he apparently limits his big screen appearances to two movies a year. His team-up with Sharon Cuneta in Star Cinema’s forthcoming offering, Kung Ako na Lang Sana, is long-awaited and much requested in the film industry.

Prior to their first big screen tandem, the closest that Aga came to being with Sharon was guesting in her ABS-CBN TV show. "I’ve been looking forward to this project and it’s a dream-come-true for me," Aga says.

The film, megged by Jose Javier Reyes, is about two long-time friends – Sharon as Emmy and Aga as Vince – who manage to affect and influence each other’s lives over the years until they find themselves falling for each other one day.

Tintin Bersola makes her acting debut in the film as Sharon’s best friend. Mickey Ferriols also makes her acting comeback as Aga’s girlfriend. Others in the cast are Dominic Ochoa, Jennifer Sevilla, Chat Silayan, Shintaro Valdez, Patrick Guzman and Gabe Mercado.

Kung Ako na Lang Sana was inspired by the hit single of the same title of Bituin Escalante which won the grand prize in the ABS-CBN songfest, Himig Handog. The ballad, which also earned for Bituin an Aliw Award trophy, is composed by Soc Villanueva. Sharon recorded her own version of the song.