Ruru Madrid says 'Lolong' gave him courage, changed his life as series nears end

As "Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila" nears its end, Ruru Madrid shared that the "Lolong" series gave him courage and changed him not just as an artist but as a human being. 

In Aubrey Carampel's report in "24 Oras" Friday, Ruru shared that he faced a lot of challenges throughout the making of the series, beginning in its very first season up to "Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan" and now "Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila." 

"Sa kabila ng lahat ng mga binabato sa 'yo ng mundo, na bigla kang magkakaroon ng injury, biglang magkakaroon ng pandemic, biglang magkakaroon ng kung ano pa mang aksidente, parang 'yun 'yung nagsisilbing lakas sa akin na parang lalong pagbutihin 'yung ginagawa ko," he said. 

His co-stars Shaira Diaz and Martin Del Rosario, who play the roles of Elsie and Ivan, also learned a lot from the series. 

"We're lucky talaga na ma-experience 'yun. Dito sa 'Lolong' sinubok kami, nakita natin kung hanggang saan tayo lahat. May mga na-unlock tayo na akala natin 'di natin kayang gawin pero dito nakita natin 'yung range kung hanggang saan pa pala 'yung range namin na, 'Wow thank you 'Lolong,' nailabas mo talaga,'" said Shaira.

Martin also acknowledged that the cast and the whole production team gave their "100 percent" to make the show excellent. 

Meanwhile, Ruru told viewers to watch for the return of the giant crocodile, Dakila, this season, but when and where that would be, he did not reveal. 

"Very nostalgic kasi parang bumabalik din 'yung Season 1. May mga eksena kaming ginawa na parang kung papaano namin siya shinoot nung Season 1 nung kaming dalawa lang ni Elsie and then ngayon nadagdagan na kami so abangan po natin," he said. 

As they prepare for the series' grand finale, Ruru added that they agreed to do a scene that he has never seen before in his entire life. 

"Meron kaming napag-agreehan na isang eksena na parang never ko pang napapanood 'yun sa tanan ng buhay ko, " he said. 

"Very exciting 'yung 'Lolong.' Siguro magtatapos man siya sa pag-ere sa telebisyon pero habambuhay siyang nasa puso nating lahat so hindi ko masasabi na eto na 'yung huli. Maraming mga possibilities." 

"Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila" follows Lolong (Ruru) who moves to Manila for a fresh start after losing his powers. There, he encounters action-packed adventures and challenges. 

The series airs Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras" on GMA Prime. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News