MANILA, Philippines – After a break from showbiz, actor Aga Muhlach returns to ABS-CBN.

On Thursday, August 18, Aga signed a contract with the network. He will be the 4th judge on the upcoming show Pinoy Boyband Superstar.

The contract was signed in the presence of Ethel Ramos, Aga’s manager, ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak, and ABS-CBN chief operating officer Cory Vidanes. 

During the press conference, Aga said that he’s very excited to be back but at the same time, getting use to being in front of the camera again.

“FYI, I was in ABS for 19 years. But the only difference now is I was gone for 6 years and I didn’t work for 3 years and I stopped. So this is my first day na makahawak ng (hold a) microphone, first day na makunan ako ng picture, first day akong nainiterview (first day to have my photo taken, first day to be interviewed),” he said.

During the press conference, Aga shared that his wife Charlene Gonzalez, and on-screen partner Lea Salonga were two of the people who talked to him about accepting the project, assuring him he was in good hands. His daughter Atasha also convinced him to do it after she heard what the project was about.

Aga says his family is very excited for his return. His daughter even wants to watch the first day of his taping. pic.twitter.com/WeniXl9bHn

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) August 18, 2016

In a separate interview with reporters after the press conference, Aga said it was nice to be back and that he will be taking things one step at a time. 

When asked what’s he’s looking for in a boyband, Aga, who will be judging for the first time and a music-lover himself, said: “Yung tenga ko talaga…matalas. Because I grew up listening to jazz and I go to lives shows and live bands…alam mo naman, madaling makita kung sino magaling kumanta or hindi.

(My ears are really sharp. Because I grew up listening to jazz and I go to live shows and see live bands, you know, it’s easy to see who can sing well or not.)

“But being in a boyband, is not just all about singing also. [You need charm], character, lahat ‘di ba, kasi hindi ka naman pwede masyadong presko, hindi naman pwede masyadong believe sa sarili mo…,” he said.

(But being in a boyband is not just about singing also. [You need charm], character, all of it, because you just cannot be good-looking, you cannot be full of yourself…)

Aside from Pinoy Boyband Superstar, a movie is in the works for Aga.

“Malapit na. Naamoy ko na, (It’s almost near, I can smell it) ” he said. “That’s why today, when I got here, Star Cinema was here to welcome me also and handed me a script right away. So there’s a script now that I will have to read when I get home. So within the week or two, malalaman natin (we will find out).”

Aga and former on-screen partner Lea Salonga did two films together before – Sana Maulit Muli and Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal. Last year, the two briefly reunited during the special screening of the digitally restored and remastered Sana Maulit Muli at the Cine Adarna, University of the Philippines Film Institute. It was also reported last year, that there were discussions for a movie that would have been made this year, but nothing final has been announced. 

Aga joins Korean superstar Sandara Park of 2NE1, Vice Ganda, and Yeng Constantino as judges to find the newest Filipino boyband. The show will be hosted by Billy Crawford. 

Aga on his thoughts about joining Yeng, Vice and Sandara pic.twitter.com/sBmlPXTzE1

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) August 18, 2016

Aga did many shows with ABS-CBN including Oki Doki Doc and That’s My Doc. After his contract with ABS-CBN expired, Aga transferred to TV 5 before he left to concentrate on family life. He’s married to former beauty queen and TV host Charlene Gonzalez, with whom he has two children, Atasha and Andres. 

He also tried his hands in politics, running for a house seat for Camarines Sur in 2013, but did not win. – Rappler.com