Despite being 68, Sen. Lito Lapid proves he's still fit for stunts in "FPJ's Ang Batang Quiapo." The senator's acting career is just the tip of the iceberg. He is also a legendary stuntman. The younger generation may not be aware of his impressive feats, but they are worth knowing.

People are curious if Lito still does his own stunts, and the answer is yes! Performing stunts is his passion, and he intends to continue doing so for as long as he is physically capable. He thrives on the thrill of pushing himself to the limit, and he is determined to keep living his dream.

"Ako talaga ang gumagawa ng mga stunts ko kasi alam talaga ng mga tao na stuntman ako. Hindi ako nagpapadoble," said Lito, during a Christmas lunch for the entertainment press in Quezon City on Nov. 28. (I really do my stunts because people really know that I'm a stuntman. I don't do doubles.)

Lito, despite being in good physical shape, mentioned that he is cautious due to his age. He proudly claims to have had no accidents or broken bones since performing stunts.

"Pero nag-i-ingat na rin ako dahil may edad na rin ako. Kumbaga kaya ng isip ko pero hindi na kaya ng katawan ko. Sa tagal ko sa pelikula, wala pa naman akong bale sa katawan. Sana huwag naman. Kaya sinubukan ko uli mag stunt sa 'Batang Quiapo' at kaya ko pa naman. 

(But I'm also careful because I'm old. In my mind, I can handle it, but my body can't do it anymore. I never had problems with my body while doing the stunts. I hope not. So I tried to do stunts again in 'Batang Quiapo' and I can still do it.)

"Minsan naaawat na lang ako eh. Minsan gusto kong tumalon kaso tinanggal ng direktor yung camera sabi niya, huwag. Sabi ko naman baka kako lang hinahanapaan ako ng mga tao at tinitignan nila kung kaya ko pa," the senator said.

(Sometimes, they just tell me to stop doing stunts. Sometimes I wanted to jump, but the director removed the camera and said, 'Don't.' I thought that people were watching me to see if I still had the ability to perform stunts.)

When he's not doing anything, he works out at the gym. He is careful with his food but he doesn't take any maintenance medicine either.

Lito joined the movies as a stuntman. He debuted in the movie "Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot" in 1968. He gained recognition in the 1978 film "The Jess Lapid Story".

Other memorable projects include Ang Pagbabalik Ni Leon Guerrero, Kastilyong Buhangin; Yakapin Mo 'Ko, Lalaking Matapang; Ben Tumbling, Kalibre .45, Lapu-Lapu, Akyat-Bahay Gang, Ang Sisiw ay isang Agila, among others.

New project

Lito also revealed an upcoming project with Coco and fellow senators Bong Revilla, Robin Padilla, and Jinggoy Estrada.

"Gagawa kami ng project: ako, si Bong, si Robin at Jinggoy. Hinihintay na lamang namin ang go signal ni Coco Martin. Ang tawag nga sa amin ay apat na sikat. Pang-filmfest ito next year. Tapos wala kaming bayad lahat. Yung kita nun ido-donate namin sa movie industry," he said.

(Me, Bong, Robin, and Jinggoy are going to do a project. We are just waiting for Coco Martin's availability. We are called four famous people. It is intended for the film festival next year. Then we will not be paid. The earnings of the movie will be donated to the movie industry.)

Lito added: "Gumagawa si Robin ng storya at gumagawa rin si Coco. Sabi ni Robin hihintayin na lang daw niya matapos yun ginagawa ni Coco para makapag-usap na rin kami tungkol sa storya at para makapag-usap na rin kung sino ang director."

(Robin is working on a story and Coco is working on it as well. Robin said he would just wait until Coco is done with his story so that we can talk about it and who our director is.)

Lost copies

Lito was disappointed to learn that none of his films have been preserved for future generations to enjoy.

"Wala rin akong copies ng mga movies sa sarili kong production. Hindi naman kasi ako ang namamahala roon. Napabayaan. Tapos tinago namin at naputukan ako ng Pinatubo. Nasira na. Minsan may napapanood ako sa YouTube pero wala akong kopya," he said.

(I also don't have copies of movies of my own production. I wasn't in charge of it. It was neglected. We tried to hide it but it was affected by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. So they were destroyed. Sometimes I watch my old movies on YouTube but I don't have copies.)

Thanks to FPJ and Susan Roces, the Philippine movie industry was inspired to take action in preserving their films. Their legacy continues to live on and the impact of their contributions cannot be understated.

"Natuto lahat kay FPJ sa pag-aalaga ni Susan Roces tungkol sa pag-preserve ng mga pelikula. Napabayaan talaga namin noon." (The movie industry learned from FPJ and Susan Roces about preserving films. We really neglected it then.)

Praises for Coco

Lito has nothing but praises Coco for giving importance to fellow actors.

"Kapag may napanood siya sa TV na wala ng trabaho o wala ng pelikula, or nakatira sa ilalim ng tulay, makikita ninyo kasama na siya sa 'FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.’ Yun talaga ang ugali ni Coco. Matulungin talaga siya kaya pinagpapala,” said the senator. (When he sees movie stars on TV who are not active anymore in the business, or living under a bridge, you will see them in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.’ That’s really Coco’s attitude. He’s really helpful, that's why he’s so blessed.)

Lapid said that he is delighted to be part of "Batang Quiapo," an action-comedy teleserye which will showcase the rich culture and heritage of Quaipo and highlight the importance of restoring and preserving the district's cultural in integrity which he pushed for in his proposed measure known as the "Quiapo Heritage Zone Act."

"Nagagalak ako na ako ay nabigyan mo uli ng oportunidad upang mapasama sa hanay ng magagaling na aktor na nagtatanghal sa proyektong ito. Magandang pagkakataon rin ito upang itampok ang mayamang kultura at kasaysayan ng Quiapo at ipakita ang kahalagahan ng pagprotekta at pagpapahalaga sa distrito," said Lapid.

(I am happy that I have been given the opportunity again to join the ranks of great actors who perform in this project. It is also a good opportunity to highlight the rich culture and history of Quiapo and show the importance of protecting and valuing the district.)

In the popular series, Lito plays the role of Supremo, the leader of pickpockets in Quiapo.

"Batang Quiapo" is based on the 1986 action-comedy film of the same title, which centered on Baldo (FPJ), a former pickpocket who becomes reformed after his time behind bars. He meets a young female thief (Maricel Soriano) asking him to take her as an apprentice, but instead, he tries to put her on the right path.

It can be recalled that Lito starred with Coco in the seven-year-long series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" which ended last year. Here, Lito became known for his character as "Pinuno," the leader of "Pulang Araw." He thanked the millions of viewers of "Ang Probinsyano" for their support.