Jolo is thankful to Coco

MANILA, Philippines — Seven years of not facing the cameras proved to be a long time for Jolo Revilla. While he was a full-time actor before, the son of action star-turned-politician Bong Revilla Jr. and Bacoor Mayor Lani Revilla eventually also became a public servant, student and father all at the same time.

To Jolo, juggling those duties is not easy. The 30-year-old Cavite vice governor attests it is tough, time-consuming, demanding, challenging and hard.

Two months ago, Jolo returned to acting when he accepted the role as head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Harold Kasilag on ABS-CBN’s top-rating series, Ang Probinsiyano, topbilled by Coco Martin.

“Last December, Coco and I saw each other at the airport and we were waiting for a delayed flight,” Jolo shares. “Then, I teased him, ‘Will you allow me to be part of Probinsiyano?’ Without second thoughts, Coco says, ‘Of course. Ikaw pa. Basta hahanapan kita ng role. Hindi ka pwedeng lalabas na masama.’”

Jolo is thankful to Coco for allowing him to be part of the primetime series. The former never imagined himself being cast in the top-rating soap and reviving his acting career.

“I enjoy doing Probinsiyano,” Jolo says. “It’s a great honor. I’m very thankful to Coco because he brought back action through Probinsiyano. I missed acting and showbiz.”

Jolo looks forward to his scenes with Coco in the coming weeks. “The last time Coco and I worked together was in my launching movie, Agimat: Ang Anting-Anting ni Lolo in 2002. We were both young then.”

Jolo is happy that Coco is now firmly entrenched as a successful actor. He credits Coco for bringing back the action genre, adding that through Ang Probinsyano, “many talents were given opportunities to return to showbiz — from jobless stuntmen to comedians to actors.”

“Kumpleto recado ang Probinsiyano. May drama, action, romance, family story. Kung baga sa coffee, hindi lang three in one, all in one,” he says.

Jolo plans to revive his acting career and go full-blast this year. Three times a week, he tapes for his scenes in Ang Probinsiyano. No wonder, he was compelled to shed weight. Thanks to Keto Diet and Intermittent Fasting, he lost 40 pounds.

“I think it’s doable with my schedule,” Jolo says. “Nagpapasalamat ako dahil ang taas-taas ng ratings ng Probinsiyano. The entire cast is really thankful. Overwhelming ang ratings namin. Sobrang ganda ng kwento. Talagang current events ang nangyayari.”

Jolo is also set to make his big-screen comeback soon. His family’s Imus Productions bankrolled the forthcoming trilogy, Tres, which will help bring back action to the film industry. Tres also stars Jolo’s two brothers — Luigi and Brian Revilla.

“I believe it’s about time that action will be seen in mainstream movies again,” Jolo states. “Alam naman natin na ang Imus Productions, kapag gumagawa ng pelikula, talagang pulido.”