Siya si LAKAS! #Bagani #BaganiLakas

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MANILA – His fans have seen him in several romantic-comedies both on the big and small screen throughout his showbiz career.

But for the first time, Enrique Gil is taking on an action project in a lead role as the local tribe warrior Lakas in the upcoming series "Bagani."

In an interview with reporters, Gil recalled the challenges they encountered while filming stunts for “Bagani” in the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte.

“Sa Ilocos mainit. Naka-sandals lang kami so 'yung buhangin mainit. Kapag nahuhulog kami, napapaso kami sa buhangin. And kapag sandals kasi, kapag tumatakbo ka sa buhangin, mas mahirap gumalaw. Parang work out na din 'yun. But it’s fun,” he said.

The actor said they also had to learn the choreography of their fight scenes from professionals.

“Kailangan kahit nakikipaglaban, kailangan naka-flex,” he said laughing. “We had fight training, stunt training. We started doing it before the show pero ngayon, we do it before the scene na.”

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Compared to all the shows that he’s done before, Gil said “Bagani” is actually a big deal because it’s been several years in the making.

“It's very original. It's something new and something very, very close to our hearts kasi matagal na po namin pinag-iisipan. This is actually five years in the making. Last year lang po kami nag-start [mag-taping] pero matagal na siyang plano. Ngayon lang nae-execute,” he said.

Considering that this is his biggest project with ABS-CBN to date, Gil said he feels very humbled to have been entrusted with a show as big as “Bagani.”

“Para siyang movie. Actually wala po kaming expectation dito sa paggawa ng ‘Bagani.’ May gusto lang kaming gawin so nag-tape lang kami. Nung lumabas, parang pati kami nagulat sa kinalabasan. Sana ma-sustain po namin para sa ating mga manonood,” he added.

"Bagani" also stars Liza Soberano, Matteo Guidicelli, Makisig Morales, and Sofia Andres.