SAGLIT kong nakapanayam ang congressman at aktor na si Alfred Vargas sa opisina niya sa Batasang Pambansa.
Depende sa kanyang schedule availability, pinapupunta ako ni Congressman Vargas sa opisina niya para makipagkuwentuhan. Una naming napag-usapan ang kanyang blog.
Kuwento ni Alffed, “It just happened one Sunday afternoon. I was not that very busy so, I started writing my thoughts, especially my journey as an actor who became a politician.
“Once I started with the first paragraph, tuluy-tuloy na siya. I cannot stop writing.”
Written in perfect English ang first blog entry ni Vargas na may pamagat na From Showbiz to Politics.
“Gusto ko kasing malaman ng mga tao ‘yung changes sa buhay ko as an actor and politician. Both are very demanding and rewarding worlds.
“I want them to capture and understand what it’s like to be a relatively young politician, what kind of work I do for the people in particular and the country in general.
“Gusto kong makita at mabasa ng constituents how do I realize my plans for them and for the country as well.
“Marami nga ang nagsasabi na medyo mahaba ‘yung sinulat ko at baka ma-alienate ang mga tao, kasi all English.
“Some are suggesting na dapat Taglish. Ang plano ko, to stick with what I have started. May mga paragraphs na rin in Filipino, pero majority pa rin in English.”
Biniro ko siya na, “Ayan, lumalabas sa blog mo ang pagiging Inglisero mong Atenisto.”
Tawa ang reaksyon ni Alfred sa biro na tunay na maaliwalas ang mukha, closed ang facial pores at makisig with his white polo na nagpatingkad sa kanyang kulay na kayumangging kaligatan.
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Masaya si Alfred sa international recognitions sa mga pelikulang Pilipino.
“As an actor and as a Filipino of course, nakaka-proud. Ang mata of global cinema, sa atin nakatuon ang pansin.
“How can you not be proud of Ms. Jaclyn Jose, winning best actress sa Cannes? She is one one of the acting pillars here in our country.
“At si direk Lav Diaz, the film master, winning sa Venice. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam!”
May pangarap ba siyang makapag-red carpet moment sa mga international film festival?
“I would love to, pero if I won’t be given the chance to walk on it as an actor or producer, pwede rin as an spectator.
“Gusto ko ring ma-experience ‘yung festival culture sa Cannes, sa Berlin, Venice pati na rin sa Tokyo Film Festival.”
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Sa susunod na taon, kasali siya sa isang Cinemalaya film, Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa.
Pahayag ni Vargas, “I have not done a film project for four years so parang comeback film ko ito. Nu’ng binasa ko ang script, I loved it. Hindi ko mabitawan.
“I have not done a role like this and this movie. Tiyak, magiging eye-opener ito.
“Tiyak pag-uusapan kasi ang mga katotohanan presented in it, talagang heart-tugging and emotionally-wrenching.
“Ibang klase ito, ibang-ibang role ito and it will be foolish if I say no to this kind of role.”
Wala ba siyang alinlangan na first time film director ang makakatrabaho niyang si Perry Escaño?
Sagot agad ni Vargas, “None, whatsoever. I believe in what direk Perry wants to present. This is an advocacy film na may action, may drama pero may life lessons.
“And the life lessons are told in such a manner na it will just hit you. Ganito na ang pelikulang gustong kong gawin. ‘Yung pelikulang parang magiging part of my artistic legacy.
“Na even my apos will be proud of pag pinanood nila.
“In every film endeavor naman, there are risks. And I believe na as actor, you need to trust your gut on projects na worth the risk. This is one of them.
“I trust direk Perry. Alam kong the whole Ang Guro team will deliver the goods.”
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Almost a month from now, birthday na niya, anong plano niya? Maagap nitong sagot, “Naku, ikaw pa lang ang nagpapaalala sa akin na malapit na ang birthday ko. No plans yet.
“Sobrang full ang schedule ko. What I can say, gusto ko siguro sa birthday ko, prior to it, kahit one week vacation with my family. Ayos na ayos yun.”
Pagtatapos ni Vargas, “After my birthday kasi, all my Sundays, ibinigay ko na para sa Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa. Suportahan mo kami, ha?”