Reminiscing with Aga Muhlach

AGA MUHLACH. “When I do a project, I give it my all.”

Aga Muhlach was in his element when we had some bonding time at one of my fave restos, Cerchio. Ags and I go back a long way so it’s always fun reminiscing with him. The best thing about Ags is that fame hasn’t changed him a bit. After winning best actor at the Star Awards and at the Golden Screen Awards for his portrayal in “In the Name of Love,” is he going for a Grand Slam?

“When I do a project, I give it my all,” he explained. “I don’t want to pressure myself with the idea of awards. Neither do I want to be complacent because I won one recently. After winning, I try to forget about it and treat each project like it’s my first.”

What’s more important to him, box-office success or bagging awards?  “If the movie makes money, that makes everybody in the production happy,” he said. “Pag maraming nanood, mapapansin ang acting ko, at kung deserving magka-award.” Meanwhile Ags is busy with his TV5 show, “Pinoy Explorer.” He looks forward to visiting Batanes for the first time.

If he were a place, what would he be? “Anywhere rural,” he quipped “I like to keep it simple, go back to the basics. City life can be so draining.” Ags revealed that he is seriously considering venturing into politics. “I find it so frustrating na padumi ng padumi ang kapaligiran natin pati sistema natin,” he said. “I want to do something to change that, even little by little. I want to give back to the people what’s due them. Since nakaipon na rin naman ako from my showbiz earnings, if and when I run for a position in my hometown in Bicol, they can be sure na di ako magpapayaman sa pwesto.”

He has the full support of his fab wife Charlene. “All she told me was, if I pursue my political plans dapat 100 percent sure ako that I will do good” he said. “I think she’s psyching herself up to be a politico’s wife (laughs).”

How does he manage to stay faithful amid all the temptation in the biz? “It all boils down to how much I love my wife,” he said. “I would not let one foolish mistake ruin what we have. Our marriage is too precious to waste.”

Even as a friend, Ags knows how to value all we’ve shared and for that I’m eternally grateful. Long before he reaped his many awards, I was in awe of him because of the kind of friend he always has been.

Great dad

Liezl Martinez spent her birthday in Cebu with stepdad Joey Stevens. He passed on shortly after, due to a lingering illness.  Liezl sent me this reply when I texted her my condolences: “He was a great dad to me since I was 3 years old. He didn’t show me and my kids anything but love. That’s all that matters to me at this moment. I would like to mourn in peace. My kids and I are heartbroken.”

May her memories of Joey comfort her until she can remember without pain.

Rosy love life

Iya Villania’s healthy lifestyle and rosy love life keep her blooming. As the new endorser of Bioessence Beauty and Wellness Center, Iya glows from within. And it is enhanced by her eight-year romance with Drew Arellano. Are they planning to take the plunge soon? “We’ve talked about it,” she said. What makes their relationship work? “We know each other’s hearts and are able to look past differences. We just have so much faith in each other and in what we have. I love how Drew lets me make my own decisions and become my own person. The way Drew and Iya have grown up as a couple, they are surely headed to growing old together.

Phenomenal show

The worldwide phenomenal reality talent show “The Voice” is on its current (second) season on Studio 23, where it airs Saturday 5:30 p.m. with a replay on Monday 7 p.m. Celebrity coaches Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shalton, and Cee Lo Green return for another exciting battle of the strongest vocalists across the United States.

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