Bong on Vic: 50/50 in all aspects

Even before the shooting started for Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote, his first starrer with Vic Sotto which is intended for next month’s Metro Manila Filmfest, Bong Revilla said that there’s some kind of a 50/50 understanding between the two of them.

“Even with the billing,” Bong told movie writers who visited him on the set of the movie in Tanay, Rizal, over the weekend, “Vic and I don’t have any problem. Vic started ahead of me in showbiz so his name comes ahead of mine in the ads. But since Agimat came before Enteng, naturally it comes ahead naman in the title.”

Vic arrived on the set at dinnertime when the movie press had left.

Agimat is the legendary fictitious character inherited by Bong from his father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., who, during his heyday as an actor, did a series of Agimat movies, all of which were moneymakers. On the other hand, Vic began playing the hilarious Enteng Kabisote character in his TV show Okey Ka, Fairy Ko (made into a few movies which finished among the top-grossers in the annual Metro Filmfest).

Even the production side is 50/50, with Vic’s own M-ZET Productions and the Revilla-owned Imus Productions as co-producers.

“Vic will do the comedy part and I will do the ‘action’ part,” added Bong who can be a good comedian judging from his TV starrers (Hokus Pokus and Idol Ko Si Kap, etc.).

For sure, they will switch parts in some scenes but, according to Bong, “That’s our surprise for the audience.”

Bong and Vic being both Metro Filmfest big guns, Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote, directed by Tony Reyes, is predicted to be a runaway top-grosser. In last year’s event, their respective starrers fought neck-and-neck at the tills.

In Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote, their first starrer together, Bong reprises his legendary Agimat character and Vic his hilarious TV-generated character Enteng Kabisote

Newcomers play the leading ladies, Sam Pinto for Bong and Gwen Zamora for Vic. Gwen plays Cinderella in the GMA fantasy-romance Grazilda.

Bong recently renewed his contract with GMA which has been his home studio these past 15 years.

“May pinagsamahan,” is how he described his relationship with the network. “I’m a Kapuso through and through. Actually, we didn’t have to sign a contract at all. A gentleman’s agreement is enough.”

Bong seals the renewal of his contract with a handshake with GMA Network chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, witnessed by GMA SVP for Entertainment Wilma V. Galvante (right) and Bong’s manager Lolit Solis

Aside from Kap’s Amazing Stories which he hosts on Sundays, Bong will star in a new show to be announced soon.

“One trait of Bong’s that I admire most is his loyalty,” said Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network’s chairman and CEO. “’Yon ang nagdadala sa kanya not only in the movies and in television but also in politics. He’s down-to-earth.

Kahit anong tagumpay ang matamo niya in whatever field, pirming nasa lupa ang mga paa niya.”

Wilma V. Galvante, GMA Network’s SVP for Entertainment, noted, “Masarap katrabaho si Bong. The fans love him, starting with Idol Ko si Kap, his first show on GMA, to Kap’s Amazing Stories, his present show. He’s easy to deal with. He’s always there kapag sinabi mong kailangan siya sa ganitong project o ganitong programa. Madali siyang kausap.”

Bong seals the renewal of his contract with a handshake with GMA Network chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, witnessed by GMA SVP for Entertainment Wilma V. Galvante (right) and Bong’s manager Lolit Solis

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On the political front, Bong is now on equal footing with his wife, Lani Mercado, who is now the Representative of the Second District of Cavite. Bong is now on his third (and last) term as senator, a topnotcher in last May’s elections.

Asked what’s new now that both of them are in politics, Bong smiled.

“Even in bed,” he said, “what we talk about is politics,” adding with unconcealed pride, “I’m glad that my colleagues have been telling me that my wife is doing well.” 

The couple is celebrating their 25th (silver) wedding anniversary next year. They plan to get married in the same church in the States where they exchanged “I do’s” back then and perhaps spend their “silver” honeymoon in Europe.

“Plano pa lang lahat,” Bong hastened to add. “Lani will have the final say.”

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