“LOLONG”, GMA-7’s hit adventure-fantasy on primetime, is ending its first season this Friday and yes, as its countless followers have requested, there will be soon be a second season.

They had a zoom presscon for the season finale attended by a lot of its stars headed by Ruru Madrid, Christopher de Leon, Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Rochelle Pangilinan, Paul Salas, Marco Alcaraz and Alma Concepcion,

Ruru’s career is really on a roll as he has two hits in a row: “Lolong” on weeknights and “Running Man” on weekends. “We really want to thank everyone who supported us through the whole run of ‘Lolong’,” he says. “When we were doing this, andaming aberya so I was at a low point in my life. Pakiramdam ko, minamalas ako. But I realized may mga bagay na talagang di dapat minamadali. Mas mamahalin mo siya. Everywhere I go, mula sa mga lolo at lola hanggang sa mga apo, they watch ‘Lolong’. Worth it talaga ang lahat ng hirap at pagod namin in making the show.

Overwhelming ang suporta ng buong pami-pamilya at napakaganda ng kanilang feedback sa show. Naghahanda na po kami for Season 2. Lahat kaming involved sa show look forward to that kasi naging isang buong pamilya na kami rito.”

GMA Public Affairs exec Mark Norella promises a bigger “Lolong” for its new season. “Before, Villa Escudero lang ang setting namin, hindi kami umaalis doon dahil pandemic. But now, we’ll explore new locations for Season 2. May mga bagong characters na papasok kasi malawak ang universe ng ‘Lolong’ at maraming puedeng gawin sa story. So definitely, mas kaabang-abang ang new season.”

Shaira Diaz says the success of “Lolong” was totally unexpected but even more so is the friendship that grew among all those involved in the show.

“Buong cast and production, naging very close sa isa’t isa. Super happy kami talaga and up to now, may group chats kami na lagi kaming nag-uusap-usap. Naging maganda ang relationship naming lahat. Lahat, mababait. Kami ni Arra, naging very close kami we now treat each other as sisters so we all look forward to working with each other again in Season 2.”

Arra San Agustin says working with their seasoned co-stars is a learning experience for them younger stars. “Being able to work with veterans like Christopher de Leon, Bembol Roco, Jean Garcia, Malou de Leon and all the rest helped us learn more about our craft as actors. Very helpful sila in giving us tips about acting and sharing their own experiences in the industry. Hindi matatawaran lahat ng natutuhan namin from them while doing this show.”

Marco Alcaraz says that “Lolong” has a commendable advocacy about protecting the environment and climate change.

“As artists, we have to do our part to show kung gaano kahalaga ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan natin and the animals around us. Like ngayon, bumagyo pero natulungan tayo ng Sierra Madre para hindi masyadong mapanira ang bagyong Karding kaya dapat hindi tayo nagpuputol ng puno to prevent landslides and floods.”

“We are all stewards of the Lord’s creations,” says Christopher de Leon. “I started by planting 700 trees. Maganda nangyayari ngayon na a lot of countries are now focusing on clean energy, like Pres. Biden who declared his stance about climate change. The floods are very alarming. I’m glad to be part of Lolong, not me as Armando Banzon, but like all the rest, like Shaira who’s defending the tree na puputulin namin. Ibang-iba ang Lolong as a teleserye set in forests showing the beauty of nature and flowers and rivers and the protection of animals. Very refreshing ang show so I’m really thankful that I’ve become part of this team, this show na conscious about protecting our environment.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Bautista