Quezon City Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista is set on staging a come back in show business after the 2019 election, particularly on TV.
Brigadier General Herbert Constantine 'Bistek' Maclang Bautista
Recall that the actor-turned-public servant was last seen on the big screen in 2016 via "Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin," a comedy anthology film based on Bob Ong's book of the same title.
By then, Bautista wants to work with younger actors. "Role ko siguro lolo," he said in jest.
"Basta ang importante makita natin 'yung klase ng role – kung maganda 'yung role niya o significant ba 'yung role (bago ko tanggapin)."
Till then, the 49-year-old isn't entertaining offers as
"alam nilang busy ako eh."
Asked to choose between showbiz and politics, Bautista said: "Eh magkaibang fulfillment 'yun eh."
"'Yung sa showbiz siyempre personal fulfillment 'yun, artista ka. Pero 'yung politics or public service is a fulfillment to serve. Hindi 'yun para sa sarili kung hindi para sa ibang tao," he explained.
Note that Bistek's father is the late Herminio "Butch" Bautista, who became a two-term city councilor from the fourth district.
Golden boy
This May, the actor-politician will celebrate new milestone as he turns 50.
"Pwedeng simple lang, pwedeng barkadahan, pwedeng family. Depende, hindi ko pa alam eh," he said when asked how he plans to do that.
Asked on the status of his love life, Bautista said he's happy but he cleared he's not in a relationship.
On re-marrying again, he joked that he's going to wait for his single
showbiz colleagues to do so first.
"'Pag nag asawa na sila eh pwede na akong mag-asawa," he quipped.
Senior rank
Bulletin Entertainment caught up with Bautista during his designation by the Commission on Appointments as Philippine Army Brigadier General Reservist. The ceremony was held March 12 at the Senate of the Philippines.
From having three "sun" insignia on his Philippine Army Colonel service dress shoulder, he now has a one-star badge.
Bautista considers the designation a “huge honor."
"Una, malaki ang respeto natin sa uniporme dahil hindi lahat ng tao nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na mag suot ng isang uniporme and at the same time ay from Serhento to Sergeant Major tapos naging Kapitan, tapos naging Colonel tapos ngayon magiging General eh talagang pinag hirapan natin 'to," he said. "So iba 'yung feeling, masarap."
He said he expected to get the position as "talagang tinarabaho rin."
"I mean it took me 10 years bago ko makuha 'yung rank na General. So that 10 years na talagang tinarabaho mo makes it more fulfilling," he said.
He promises to continue what he had done before as Army Colonel Reservist.
"Well una because volunteerism 'to so 'yung unang tinuturo sa atin dito ay 'yung pagmamahal sa bayan. At dahil mahal mo 'yung bayan mo, mahal mo 'yung bansa mo magbo-volunteer ka," he would say later. "And at the same time walang sweldo, walang benepisyo but the respect of Arm Forces of the Philippines na igawad sayo 'yung rango mo, 'yun 'yung pinaka fulfillment nu'n."
He hopes to inspire the youth to join and help him on serving the country.
"Kailangan makahikayat kami ng mga kabataan between 18 to 25 years old na pumasok sa reserve then mag-training sila every Sunday lang du’n sa city hall.
"Pagkatapos nu'n bibigyan sila ng uniporme, bibigyan sila ng rank, pati 'yung number bibigyan din sila para maging official 'yung kanilang pagiging sundalo."
Currently, Bistek is the Brigade Commander of the 1502nd Ready Reserve Brigade, Philippine Army. The main job of his unit is to provide manpower whenever demand for a quick reaction force is needed.
They are also part of Joint Task Force-NCR and currently serves as a frontline unit especially during times of calamities and national emergencies.
There are various activities that Filipinos could join like Medical Civic Action Program, Brigada Eskuwela, Tree Planting, Operation Linis Estero for Barangays, Disaster, Relief and Rescue Operation, and National Simultaneous Earthquake Drills.