Senator Bong Revilla was accompanied by his wife Lani Mercado and son Jolo Revilla during the December 19 screening of Panday 2 held at SM Megamall Cinema 3.
They led the gift-giving activity that took place that afternoon for the benefit of around 200 orphans from various institutions.
WELL-APPLAUDED. Senator Bong was excited by the feedback from the audience that afternoon.
Moviegoers burst into applause when Flavio (Bong) defeated his enemies with one mighty blow in the desert, while another well-applauded scene was when the peace-loving dragons took flight, leaving colorful trails across the screen.
"At least nagbunga ang hirap namin," said the lead actor of Panday 2.
"Finally, nakita na namin ang finished product at na-appreciate ng mga manonood ang pelikula.
"Mga orphans ang nanood, mga taga-Cavite, Rizal, San Juan.
"Pinapaligaya natin ang mga bata na alam nating hindi nila afford na makapanood ng sine."
The lead actor of Panday 2 is proud of the special effects used in the movie that were created by the Filipino company Riot Inc.
"Kung nagustuhan nila ang Panday 1, mas magugustuhan nila ang Part 2.
"Habang nakikipaglaban si Panday, nakikita natin na tuwang-tuwa ang mga tao," said Bong with a smile.
LIZARDO. Also present that afternoon were Senator Bong's Panday 2 co-stars Phillip Salvador and Benjie Paras.
Phillip, who reprises his role as the villain Lizardo, revealed that it takes six hours to put on the prosthetics and makeup used in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry that will open in cinemas starting December 25.
"Six hours kada shoot [ang preparation time].
"I'm the first to arrive on set for my makeup and I'm the last to leave.
"Ang pagtanggal, matagal rin," said Phillip.
MARIAN RIVERA. In a previous interview, Senator Bong was asked if it were possible for him to fall in love with leading lady Marian Rivera if he were single at the time.
"Maganda siya. Mabait," admitted the actor-politician.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Buti na lang may Dingdong [Dantes, Marian's boyfriend] ka. Kung hindi, baka na-'Ding-Bong' ka!' Hahaha!
"Joke lang! Hahaha! Baka ako ma-'bingbong' ni Lani!"
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When Lani was interviewed by the press after the screening, she gave her reaction to Bong's answer.
"Reaction ko? Sana available rin si Dingdong. Joke lang yun!" said the Cavite congresswoman with a laugh.
She added, "Anak-anakan ko si Marian, e, so ina-advice-an ko siya pagdating sa pag-ibig.
"Nakikinita ko rin na Dingdong might enter politics. Nagbibigay ako ng paalaala sa anak-anakan kong si Marian.
"Taga-Cavite siya at nanay niya taga-roon. Nagkakaintindihan kaming dalawa."
Lani and Marian play mother and daughter in the GMA-7 epic-serye Amaya.
TYPHOON SENDONG. What is Senator Bong's reaction to the devastation caused by Typhoon Sendong in Mindanao?
He said, "Nakakalungkot ang nangyari sa mga kababayan natin sa CDO [Cagayan de Oro] at Iligan. In fact, pupunta tayo dun.
"Mga pagsubok lamang po iyan. Kumbaga, pinapaaalahanan lang tayo ng Panginoon pero dapat hindi mawalan ng pag-asa."
Bong's wife, Representative Lani Mercado, also expressed her concern for the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
"It's very sad...nangyari pa in the middle of the night."
She reveals that they have plans to visit the affected areas before Christmas.