For two years, ABS-CBN has been negotiating with the Revilla
clan to buy the rights to remake four epic "Agimat"
movies—namely Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat (1973), Tonyong Bayawak (1979),
Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elyas Paniki (1989), and Pepeng
Agimat (1973).
This 2009, the project will finally be shown in television as the Kapamilya Network's upcoming primetime show called Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr.
Andrea "Andeng" Bautista-Ynares, the sixth child of former Ramon Revilla Sr., narrated the process how ABS-CBN acquired four of these epic films, "Actually, ang tagal na nito, e, two years in the making. Si Deo Endrinal [Business Unit Head], tumawag siya sa akin noon. 'Tapos sinabi ko sa daddy ko, pinaalam ko rin sa kuya ko [Senator Bong Revilla], pati sa mga kapatid ko.
"They all agreed naman at saka thankful naman sila sa ABS-CBN, kasi parang ito 'yong alamat, Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr. ay patunay po na timeless po ang mga pelikulang pinaghirapan ng tatay ko."
ABS-CBN's Creative Unit Head Rondel Lindayag said that adapting the movies of the senior Revilla for the small screen is an honor for the network. It also serves as their tribute to the legendary action star who contributed a lot to the Philippine cinema.
He explained, "'Yong Agimat po, una po, sa pang-araw-araw kasi, di ba, parang naghahanap tayo ng variety. 'Tapos, nag-isip kami ng isang programa kung papaano natin [mapapalabas] ang isang magandang kwento. Ang isang nakita po namin doon, 'yong [kay] Ramon Revilla Sr. Kasi po, nire-replay po lahat ng pelikula niya sa Cinema One.
"Up to now, mapapatingin ka pa rin doon, mapapanood mo pa rin siya, at talagang kahit 'yong mga bata ngayon gusto pa ring panoorin. So, gaya nga ng aming mga title, Ang mga Alamat, si Ramon Revilla Sr., ay isang legend. I think it's proper na bigyan siya ng ganitong klase ng tribute.
During the press conference, Mr. Lindayag also explained why Ramon Revilla's popular "Agimat" movie, Nardong Putik (1972) was not included in this upcoming action-adventure series of ABS-CBN.
He said, "Kasi po 'yong Nardong Putik ay medyo true-to-life. Medyo mahirap pong i-locate 'yong family ni Nardong Putik, 'yong iba po nasa America na. Ayaw naman po naming ipalabas siya nang hindi naman po namin nasisiguro na okay sa family na ilabas ulit ang kwento niya."
FOUR BUDDING ACTION STARS. The series will have Ramon Revilla Sr.'s
grandson, Jolo Revilla, playing the title role in Pepeng
Agimat. This makes him the third generation of the Revillas to play this magical character.
Andeng admitted that it was a personal
request to keep the tradition of the Revillas to star in their father's past
projects. She recalled, 'Noong nag-uusap
kami ni Deo, sabi ko, ‘Deo, siguro ang bida natin dapat sa Agimat ay si Jolo.' Sabi niya, ‘Oo naman.' Kasi, para hindi mahiwalay, parang three
generations—si Dad, si Kuya Bong, then, si Jolo."
Soon, viewers will be able to see Gerald
Anderson as Tiagong Akyat, Jake Cuenca as Elyas Paniki, and Coco Martin as Tonyong Bayawak. These three young stars of Tayong Dalawa are the personal favorites of the senior Revilla, according to Andeng.
"Last week, actually, sinabi ko nga sa daddy ko na may presscon kami tonight. Then, sabi ko, ‘Daddy, ano ang masasabi mo, ang magiging cast daw ng Alamat ni Ramong Revilla Sr. ay si Jake Cuenca, Coco Martin, at Gerald Anderson?' He was very happy naman daw, kilala niya 'yong tatlo. ‘Ano ang gusto mong sabihin ko sa presscon?' [Sagot niya], ‘Sabihin mo na lang, anak, na every night daw po ay nanonood daw po siya ng Tayong Dalawa.'"
In preparation for their role, the three young male stars will soon visit Ramon Revilla Sr. to talk to him personally about the project. And they all agreed, "alamat talaga si Ramon Revilla Sr."
(Click HERE to view photos of the new action stars of Agimat.)