Sen. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr.

Senator Ramon "Bong Revilla Jr. appears more vigorous, fit, and wiser as he celebrates his 50th anniversary in show business and 57th birthday on Sept. 25.

Ahead of these celebrations, Bong mentioned that he remains dedicated to his political and showbiz career while acknowledging the importance of maintaining good health at his age.

"I'm turning 57, but in my heart, I'm only 37. Hindi ako nag-steroids, yung sinasaksak sa katawan. No stem cells. I wish I could para mas lalakas pa ako. Nagpapa-check ako ng katawan pero Vitamin C meron.. Nagpapa-derma rin ako pero ang tagal ko na rin hindi pumupunta ng derma. May allergy nga ako ngayon sa food. Losing too much weight ang tendency is dehydrated ang balat mo. Nagsa-suffer ang skin mo," said Bong during a lunch with the showbiz media in Quezon City on Aug. 17.

(I don't do steroids injected into the body — no stem cells. I wish I could so that I can get stronger. I'm getting my body checked, but I have Vitamin C.. I'm also getting a dermatologist, but I haven't had time to go to a dermatologist. I do have an allergy to food now. The tendency is to lose too much weight, and your skin is dehydrated. Your skin is suffering.)

"Diet ko? More on chicken ako. Minsan nadadaya na rin but I really have to control my diet. Ayoko ng lumalaki yung tiyan at wala na akong bilbil. May maintenance na ako. Kailangan na yan sa age natin. Mahirap na tayong magbaka sakali baka biglang may mangyari. Hindi na ako bata. Mukha lang tayong bata. Ang wife ko ngayon payat dahil sinasabayan niya yung aking kabataan. Nai-inspire rin ang aking maybahay." "Alyas Pogi" also said.

(My diet? I'm more on chicken. Sometimes I cheat (on food) too, but I have to control my diet. I don't want my stomach to grow and no longer have fats. I have maintenance. That's necessary at our age. It's hard to neglect our health. Something might happen. I'm not getting any younger. I look younger. My wife is thin now because she keeps up with my youth. My wife is also inspired.)

Bong, husband of Cong. Lani Mercado-Revilla, reminisces about the pinnacle of his career in show business.

"Ang gusto ko talagang highlight ng career ko is yung first na nagbida ako. That was 40 years ago. Kaya ang ang pinagpilian diyan eh yung 40 years in showbiz na nagsimula kang mag bida or 50 years na extra ka palang noong bata ka pa. Sabi. kung kelan kang unang lumabas sa puting telon sa sinehan which is 1973. 

(The highlight of my career was the first time I starred in a movie. That was 40 years ago. It was a toss-up between 40 years in showbiz when you started acting and 50 years when you were a bit player when you were young. So the highlight would be the first time you appear on the white screen in the cinema, which was in 1973)

"I'm not getting any younger. But I can still do fight scenes. I. can do my stunts. Yung suntok ko na mabilis ganun pa rin. Sa tingin ko nga mas fit ako ngayon than before. Dati chubby ako pero ngayon mas lean, mas may cut and mas may abs. 

(I'm not getting any younger. But I can still do fight scenes. I. can do my stunts. My quick punches are still the same. I'm fitter now than before. I used to be chubby, but now I'm leaner, more cut, and have more abs.)

"Nagkaroon ng malaking cut sa kamay while doing 'Alega Gang.' Akala ko nga mapaparalyze yan eh. Simpleng fight scene lang yun kaso bumagsak yung bote ng beer. Nadaganan ko ay nabiyak ito. Hindi ko talaga magalaw yan. Pero yung mga scenes na tumatalon ako sa ibabaw ng train, mga nakasabit sa LRT, ako yung unang gumamit ng LRT noon, natamaan ako at nawasak yung jacket ko sa tagiliran. Marami akong death-defying stunts na ginawa.Mga sugat part talaga ng trabaho 'yan. Kaya ko pa rin silang gawin para sa mga manunuod ko. Hangga't kaya ko gagawin ko pa rin para worth yung papanoorin nila. basta sulit ang ibabayad nila.

(There was a big cut on the hand while doing 'Alega Gang.' I thought it would paralyze me. It was just a simple fight scene where the beer bottle fell. I ran over it, and it broke. I couldn't move it. But in the scenes where I was jumping on top of the train and hanging from the LRT, I was the first to do it. I got hit, and my jacket was destroyed on the side. I did a lot of death-defying stunts. Injuries are part of the job. I can still do them for my viewers. As long as I can, I will still do it so that what they will watch is worth it, as long as it is worth what they will pay.)

The Titanic Action Star expressed gratitude to his fans and all those who have consistently supported him.

“Sa lumipas na limampung taon na ako ay kabilang sa ating industriya, wala na ata akong mahihiling pa. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon sa lahat ng biyaya na pinagkaloob niya sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Hindi ko maabot ang lahat ng ito kung di dahil sa Kanya, kasama rin lahat nagtiwala sa akin – sa mga producers, directors, production staff, mga stuntman, mga kapwa artista, at lahat ng ating mga naging tagahanga. Maraming, maraming salamat po,” the seasoned actor said.

Despite his busy schedule as a legislator, Sen. Bong’s love for acting continues to manifest and stand strong as he is currently devoting some of his time in doing his show ‘Walang Matigas na Pulis na Matinik na Misis’, a TV adaptation of his 90’s cult classic movie of the same title with his wife Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla.

The show premiered last June 4, 2023, and will conclude its Season 1 on Aug. 20 after a 12-week run.

“Ito pong Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis ang aking regalo para po sa inyong lahat na sumuporta sa akin sa loob ng matagal na panahon. Marami sa inyo ay talagang natuwa at pinatawa nito noon. Kaya ginawa po ulit natin para magpasaya ngayon,” he said.

Sen. Bong, also known as Tolome, bared that the weekly mini-series will be renewed for a second season, thanks to the high ratings the show received during its pilot season.

“Abangan niyo po dahil hindi dito matatapos ang kwento ni Major Bartolome Reynaldo, at hindi dito huling sisigaw si Gloria ng “Tolomeeeeeeee!”. Pinagpaplanuhan na po namin ang Season 2 dahil ramdam na ramdam po talaga namin ang inyong suporta at pagkasabik sa pagpapatuloy nito,” the veteran actor said.

At seven years old, Bong was first exposed to the glitz and glamor of show business when he was cast in the film ‘Tiagong Akyat’ in 1973, where his father, Ramon Revilla Sr., played the leading role.

Making his name in the entertainment industry, Sen. Bong, at the age of 14, starred in the movie ‘Bianong Bulag’ playing the role of the young Bianong Bulag. This movie was also directed and starred by his late father.

In 1983, Bong Revilla was finally launched in the film "Dugong Buhay," his first lead role on the silver screen.

It was in 1985 when Sen. Bong starred in ‘Boboy Tibayan: Tigre ng Cavite’, which became a blockbuster hit that opened more opportunities for him in the industry.

Sen. Bong made a lot of films, including the following: Pieta, Ang Ikalawang Aklat; Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre; Celeste Gang;  Tigre ng Cavite; Beloy Montemayor; Anak ng Supremo; Isa Lang ang Dapat Mabuhay; Bodyguard: Masyong Bagwisa Jr.; and Sgt. Villapando: A.W.O.L.

He also appeared in Target: Sparrow Unit; Boy Tornado; Anak ng Lupa; Dongalo Massacre; Lost Command; Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu; Iyo ang Batas, Akin ang Katarungan; Cordillera; Chinatown: Sa Kuko ng Dragon; Florencio Diño: Public Enemy No. 1 of Caloocan; Moises Platon; Isang Bala, Isang Buhay; Urbanito Dizon; Bala at Rosaryo; APO: Kingpin ng Maynila.

Alyas Pogi: 1,2 at 3 Birador ng Nueva Ecija; Manong Gang; Kapitan Jaylo: Batas sa Batas; Leon ng Maynila;  Hanggang May Buhay; Pangako Sa'yo; Dugo ng Panday;  Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo; Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig; Ako ang Katarungan: Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra; Relax Ka Lang, Sagot Kita.

Iukit Mo sa Bala; Walang Matigas na Pulis, Sa Matinik na Misis;  Pustahan Tayo, Mahal Mo Ako;  Batas Ko ang Katapat Mo;  Ang Titser Kong Pogi;  SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter;  Pag-ibig Ko sa Iyo'y Totoo; Kung Marunong Kang Magdasal Umpisahan Mo Na.

Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis 2;  Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako, Wala ng Bawian;  Buhay Mo'y Buhay Ko Rin;  Ben Delubyo; Pepeng Agimat, Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin;  Mahal Kita: Final Answer!;  Kilabot at Kembot;  Ang Agimat: Anting-anting ni Lolo;  Bertud ng Putik; Captain Barbell; Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom; Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice;  Resiklo;  Ang Panday;  Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote;  Ang Panday 2 and Si Agimat, si Enteng at si Ako

Sen. Bong has also starred in different TV shows – Idol Ko si Kap, which ran for five years, and was followed by Hokus Pokus, HP: To the Highest Level Na!, Kap's Amazing Stories, Indio, Agimat ng Agila, and the recent Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis.

“Ang daddy ko mismo ang naging mentor ko hindi lang sa paggawa ng pelikula kung hindi maging sa pag-arte, siya mismo ang humubog sa akin hanggang sa aking paglaki kaya maging ang pagpalaot niya pulitika ay naman ko rin,” Sen. Bong shared.