MANILA, Philippines – For actor and Quezon City 5th district representative Alfred Vargas, news that Encantadia will be back this year brings back many fond memories. (READ: Meet the 4 new sang'gres of the 'Encantadia' 2016 reboot)
"Nostalgic. It was very nostalgic because for me, my real career began in Encantadia, so it’s my breakthrough role," he told Rappler last May 3 during the gathering of artists for presidential candidate Mar Roxas.
"So everything after, my career was never the same after Encantadia. Kasi iyon talaga ang naging (Because it was really the) breakthrough ko and even for all of us nung cast nung first Encantadia. And I’m very grateful. And now I’m very excited. I wanna watch it."
In Encantadia, Alfred played the role of Aquil, the captain of Lireo's army. Rocco Nacino will play the part in the 2016 version.
" I think he’s very deserving. And actually, isa siya sa mga first choices ko (he's one of my first choices). And I think Rocco deserves it and siguro for me lang, in a way I see myself in him when I was still starting up. And I think he’s perfect for the role of Aquil," he said.
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDx7FHMh1AV/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#RoccoNacino is Aquil #Encantadia #Encantadia2016 #GmaArtistCenter #ArtistCenter #EncantadiaReveal24Oras</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by GMA Artist Center (@artistcenter) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-04-04T13:29:28+00:00">Apr 4, 2016 at 6:29am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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As for the chemistry between Aquil and Danaya which will be played by Sanya Lopez, Alfred had this to say.
"I’m not sure about the story parang this is a 'requel' di ba? So I don’t know paano magiging kwento nila (how the story will be). Pero pag makita kayo ng tao (But if viewers see you) on screen together, the x-factor will be there. Whether ano pa yung kwento or ano pa ang plot, pag nakita kayo ng tao and okay ang chemistry ninyo, kahit ano pang kwento iyan, they will love you." (Whatever the story or plot, if the people see you have good chemistry, no matter where the story goes, they will love you.)
In a report last April 4 on 24 Oras, director Mark Reyes said that the 2016 version of the show will be "requel" or a retelling and a sequel to the story.
With Dingdong Dantes and Sunshine Dizon taking part in the reboot of the show, Alfred said he is definitely open to appearing in the new Encantadia.
"Yes of course. Basta huwag lang ako (For as long as I am not a) Hathor," he said, referencing Lireo's mortal enemy. "I would want to be one of the guests of the kingdom of Lireo kasi Lirean ako (I am a Lirean).
Life as a public servant
As the the possibility of returning to showbiz, Alfred said he cannot fully commit since he's busy as a congressman. He recently won his second term, after running unopposed.
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/6jWNhZpfQO/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Lungsod Quezon aming mahal Happy QC Day everyone! With QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Cong. @winnie_castelo , Cong. Bolet Banal and Cong. Kit Belmonte today at the inauguration of the newly renovated QC Museum. Another museum will open this October! QC is fast becoming a center for cultural and interactive tourism thanks to Mayor HB and Vice Joy B #iloveQC #ilovenovaliches #ditoakolumaki #ditoakonabuhay</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Alfred Vargas (@alfredvargasofficial) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-08-19T04:55:23+00:00">Aug 18, 2015 at 9:55pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}
Alfred however said he's opening to doing one show a year.
"I think I can be open to doing at least at the most one telenovela a year. Siguro iyon, I cannot go back full time," he said.
Alfred also shared that he's very happy to have accomplished so much in the the span of 4 years he was in Congress.
"Actually we’ve recorded a perfect attendance in all our sessions. Tapos (And) we’re able to file 155 house bills. Then we’re part of the top 10 in terms of the most productive legislation so okay naman," he said. – Rappler.com