Everything's coming up roses for Sanya Lopez who is the leading lady of Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. in his showbiz comeback via the action-packed fantasy drama series "Agimat Ng Agila" which will air on GMA-7 beginning May 1.
"Napaka-professional ni Sanya. I told her malayo ang mararating niya at nangyayari na nga. Huwag lang lalaki ang ulo ha? Dapat lagi ka lang nakatungtong sa lupa," said Revilla when asked about his co-star Sanya in the weekly series during a Zoom event with the entertainment press last Tuesday.
Revilla added: "Keep it up. Congratulations sa success ng 'First Yaya' and I know magiging successful din ang 'Agimat Ng Agila.' " In the news series, Revilla plays Major Gabriel Labrador, the valiant head of Task Force Kalikasan who is wrongfully accused of his family’s death and is chosen as the bearer of the Agimat ng Agila.
Sanya, 24, said that she is grateful to Revilla for choosing her as his leading lady in the series. At present, Sanya is also the on-screen partner of Gabby Concepcion in the popular daily serye "First Yaya" which airs on GMA-7.
"Grateful ako na maka-trabaho ko si Senator Bong. Alam ko, yung mga ka-partner ko sa series, pangarap din nilang maging leading men. They are professional and focused talaga sila sa work," she said.
Sanya, who plays Maya Lagman, the headstrong but compassionate adopted daughter of Nanay Berta in the series, admitted that she hired an acting coach to cope up with the demands of the two series she's working on.
"May mga araw na pagkatapos ko ng isang shoot, uuwi lang ako sandali at pupunta na ako sa kabilang serye. Nag-hire na ako ngayon ng acting coach kasi mag-kaiba ang tema ng dalawang series," she said.
When asked to comment on reports that she's being groomed by her network as the next important star, Sanya said: "I'm so thankful sa lahat ng blessing na dumarating sa akin ngayon. Thank you din sa Kapuso network sa tiwalang binigay nila sa akin para sa mga projects na ito."
Revilla said that he conceptualized the TV project "Agimat" a long time ago when he was still "on vacation."
"Matagal ko ng project ito. Pinag-aralan ko ito habang nagbabakasyon. Wala akong ginawa kundi magisip ng mga project noon. Marami akong inilapit na iba sa GMA pero ito ang pinili nila. That's why nakapag come up tayo ng ganito," he said. "Ito yung project na sulit ang time na ipapanood nila."
Revilla, a COVID-19 survivor in 2020, also advised people who are battling the same disease to think positive and never give up.
"It took me two months to recover from COVID-19. Then tinamaan pa ako ng gout noon pero nilabanan ko talaga siya. Nag-exercise ako everyday. Ang importante huwag kayong papatalo sa COVID-19. Think positive sa buhay na marami ka pang mission na gagawin at magagawa para sa bayan at mahal mo sa buhay," the senator said.
Completing the powerhouse cast are Sanya Lopez as Maya Lagman, the headstrong but compassionate adopted daughter of Nanay Berta; Elizabeth Oropesa as Nanay Berta, the reclusive and mysterious elderly woman who will assist Gabriel on his journey as the tagapagligtas; Roi Vinzon as Alejandro Dominguez, a respected and feared businessman and crime lord; Benjie Paras as Sgt. Wesley Dimanahan, Gabriel's trusted confidant and right-hand man; Allen Dizon as Capt. Gerry Flores, second-in-command of the task force; Michelle Dee as Serpenta, an evil shadow creature who acts as an oracle for Alejandro; EA Guzman as Julian, an earnest man who secretly fancies his childhood friend Maya; Miggs Cuaderno as Bidoy, a smart-aleck who eventually becomes close to Gabriel; Ian Ignacio as Malvar, deputy henchman of Alejandro.
The series also features the special participation of Sheryl Cruz as Dr. Myrna Labrador, the soft-spoken and ethereal wife of Gabriel.
Agimat ng Agila is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, FVP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, SAVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, and Executive Producer Joy Lumboy-Pili.
Based on the film concept by Revilla, the series is a product of the visionary minds of GMA's award-winning creative team - Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Consultant Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan; Head Writer Jojo Tawasil Nones; Senior Writer John Roque; and developed for television by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and Jojo Tawasil Nones. Joining them is Genaro Nerdie Cruz, script consultant of Revilla.
Catch the world premiere of "Agimat ng Agila" - under the helm of acclaimed director Rico Gutierrez - beginning May 1, Saturdays, 7:15 pm, on GMA-7.