Aga for all seasons and reasons

Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin in “In the Name of Love”

For an encouraging time there, it looked like Aga Muhlach was winning his personal Battle of the Bulge. Seen on TV last Nov. 6, however, he still looked pudgy and heavy, so his long-awaited comeback film appears to still be a long way away.

It didn’t help that he was sporting a light moustache and beard of sorts, which made him look even older and less trim. And the sports cap he wore was yet another unnecessary distraction.

That’s really too bad, because Aga is among the best “maturing” stars we have, and has some great portrayals left in him.

So, we urge him once more to renew his resolve to lose all of that excess poundage and get back to shooting trim, as soon as possible.

If we sound like a niggling nag, that’s how much we believe in his talent. Let’s hope he believes in it, too!

It isn’t going to be easy, but it’s worth the “battle.” Aga has to look trim, young and dynamic enough to favorably compete with other “maturing” stars who have managed to come back from semiretirement and are now certified players again in the stellar game.

They include Ian Veneracion, Christian Vasquez, Gabby Concepcion, Ariel Rivera, Albert Martinez, Cesar Montano, Edu Manzano, Jestoni Alarcon, Marvin Agustin, Richard Gomez and Richard Yap.

Granted, Aga is a bigger and more talented star than many of them, but he still has to look good if he wants to believably and charismatically play leading man roles on TV and on the big screen again.

Given his memorable roles in the past, Aga should not even think of retiring just yet, because one great portrayal fully deserves another—and many more.

To remind all and sundry (including Aga himself) of his thespic gift and worth: He faced the movie camera first in 1975 as a child actor in “May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi,” followed by “Babaeng Hiwalay sa Asawa.”

His first notable movie was Eddie Romero’s masterwork, “Aguila,” topbilling FPJ in 1980. That same year, Aga became a star by way of “Bagets.”

In 1985, his first significant proof positive that he was an exceptionally sensitive actor came by way of “Miguelito: Batang Rebelde.” It was fol lowed by a string of “lesser” but career-boosting and popularity-enhancing flicks.

As a young-adult actor, Aga shone in “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal?” and “Sana Maulit Muli” with Lea Salonga, “Basta’t Kasama Kita” with Dayanara Torres, “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin” with Aiko Melendez, and “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” with Regine Velasquez.

He was even more impressive in “serious” dramas like “Nag-iisang Bituin” and “Sinungaling Mong Puso,” with the Vilma Santos, “Bayarang Puso” with Lorna Tolentino, “Sa Aking Mga Kamay” with Chin Chin Gutierrez, “Dubai” with Claudine Barretto, and “In the Name of Love” with Angel Locsin.

On TV, Aga’s hit series include “Hapi House,” “Oki Doki Doc,” “OK Fine Whatever” and “That’s My Doc.”

Aga’s “renewed” and reenergized 2017 comeback is definitely worth the feisty fight!