Why the Muhlachs prefer a sitcom over reality show

Aga Muhlach (left) and Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach in “Da Pers Family” —PHOTOS FROM TV5/ YOUTUBE

“Da Pers Family,” according to its lead star Aga Muhlach, is the closest thing that fans of the Muhlach family can get to seeing what they’re like in real life.

After all, the characters they are portraying in the sitcom also assume the names of Aga, his wife Charlene Gonzales, and children Atasha and Andres.

Aga offers this explanation as to why he would rather do a sitcom than be part of a reality show: “My training is old-school. My private life has always been that, private. To come up with a reality show would feel intrusive. Even on social media, I’m not really that active. But, of course, I’ve thought about that, too. That’s why we purposely gave the characters our names, so that people can identify with them.”

While Aga said he is not totally against the idea of eventually appearing in a reality show with his family, this is what they can offer at the moment, especially since the twins are just starting to learn everything about acting and show business. “We’re taking it slow. We don’t know yet where this sitcom will lead us. It’s possible that we’d enjoy working together so much, or that they (the twins) would sharpen their acting chops so quickly through the show, that we would eventually think of doing a reality show. We’re open to all options,” he explained.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime’

Charlene agreed, adding: “Our family has its private and public sides. We enjoy the private side very much. This is why it’s nice that we are able to make this new sitcom together. I consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This will be the first and last time that you will see our family in one project.”

“Da Pers Family” follows the story of the Persival family and The Bake Haus of You, a struggling business owned by Aga and Charlene’s characters. Conflict starts brewing when Aga’s former best friend (Roderick Paulate) tries to drive them out of business. This brings the Persivals even closer as they work on saving the family-owned bakery.

Not all glitz and glamour

Aga admitted that working with his family on the set was difficult, especially because he would keep thinking of their “normal scene” at home. “No matter how active we are in this industry, we forget everything when we’re at home. My kids, even my wife—since she’s been relatively inactive for some time—I would watch over them. It’s hard because even I feel very conscious. This is my world, this is what I know best. Sometimes, I would notice something and would like to teach the kids on the spot, but I can’t keep doing that because I also want them to experience things. At the same time, I don’t want them to fail, too,” he began.

Aga said he would always remind the twins that show biz is not all glitz and glamour, that it also requires hard work. “It’s not easy. This is why I didn’t force them to try acting. They decided that they wanted to work in this industry,” he pointed out. “I watch closely when they’re taping. When they throw their lines, in my mind, I’d say, ‘Don’t make mistakes!’ It’s like that for me. I know they’re both good. But as their dad, I can’t help but feel nervous.”

Andres and Atasha Muhlach

Independence

Andres said it helped that he already got to work with his family shooting TV commercials before. “It’s still a new experience being on set. The dynamics now are different. We have lines to deliver. At the start, I felt a little nervous but as the taping days went by, it got better for me,” Andres said.

“I was nervous because I didn’t want to mess it up or cause delays. In the end, it was actually so much fun. My first scene was with Andres, and we’re best friends, so it was easy, and then it was with the parents,” said Atasha, who paused to look at her dad and tell him: “Your gaze, it’s so intense!”

Charlene said that, on the set, she and Aga would make sure to treat their children as coactors. “We mentioned to them that, once we’re on the set, and our director gives instructions, we all follow. With regard to how they want to portray their roles, we give them that space. We only give pointers when they ask for help,” she began.

Charlene added that as parents, they decided to raise the twins to be very independent. “At a young age, we already respected their decisions. They did their end of the deal—they finished school and have now reached a certain age when they can already decide what to do with their lives. The best thing that Aga and I can do is to let them fly.”

‘First few steps’

When asked how the twins were adjusting to all the attention, especially Andres who has been officially working for only a month, Aga said: “Atasha does ‘Eat Bulaga,’ but not Andres. He is not really aware of what you are telling us now—that girls are going crazy over him online. This is because he doesn’t really go out much. He just plays golf, basketball and works out. He just spends time with friends, and we live close to the sea. Atasha also has her own thing—that’s her world now. As for Andres, we’re not telling him anything.”

“These are only his first few steps,” said Charlene.

“Da Pers Family,” directed by Danni Caparas, airs at 7:15 p.m. every Sunday starting July 21 on TV5, with catchup airings on Sari-Sari Channel, Mondays at 7 p.m.