AGA MUHLACH with Albert Cuadrante, VP for Marketing, Jollibee Foods Corp., and some of the Jolly Toy Scouts at the Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko 15th Year kick-off.

"We are all instruments to help. My life-long dream is to build schools so I’m committing myself to build one or two classrooms a year.”

This, Aga Muhlach declared at the recent Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko kick-off held at SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia where the awarding of the Jolly Toy Scouts from 30 schools nationwide and over 20 partner companies was also held. The event aims to help spread the Christmas spirit because being a Jolly Toy Scout allows children and even adults to take part in the spirit of giving by actively seeking donations for toys and books.

The longest running toy and book donation drive in the country, Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko helps make Christmas happen despite the recent typhoons that affected the country.

“Ngayong papalapit ang Pasko, tulungan natin na ipadama sa kanila na may Pasko pa din kahit maraming nawala sa kanila,” said Aga having in mind the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.

Now on its 15th year, Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko aims to double the Jolly Toy Scouts – recruiting once again both children and adults alike – and doubling the donations by matching every toy or book collected with a Jollibee toy to be given to more underprivileged Filipino children nationwide, Albert Cuadrante, VP for Marketing, Jollibee Foods Corp. announced.

Aga also announced to the press people his great endeavor, “Since we are in our 15th year, whatever I give, they [Jollibee] will also give. If I will build one classroom this year, they will build one also. If I build two, they will build two. Actually when I said this, marami agad ang gustong tumulong. It’s not only gonna be every Christmas. And this is coming from my heart. It’s something I really wanna do.

It’s something really important kasi ang mga kabataan na ito ang lalaki at magpapatakbo ng bansa natin balang araw. I want to thank all the people who has been helping us for 15 years. At sa mga Pasko pang darating.”

Celebrating Christmas

Aga shared his family’s way of celebrating Christmas. “It’s still the same. But with MaAga ang Pasko, every week lumalabas kami. Babalikan namin lahat ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo and give them toys, books, notebooks, bags, and others,” he said.

He also added that with these kinds of activities, he really wants his family to get involved. “This time I’m excited with the caravan we launched. Mondays and Wednesdays, mag-iikot kami sa mga barangay, eskwelahan at mamimigay kami ng mga laruan at gamit pang-eskwelahan. This Christmas ang mga pupuntahan namin ay yung mga nasalanta ng bagyo. But next year will really be bigger. Hindi lang tuwing Pasko, kundi buong taon [makakapagbigay ng tulong].”

Being a parent, Aga said that you have to be a good influence in giving and helping others. “You don’t force them. What they see kasi yun ang ginagaya nila e.”

No to politics

“Last ko na talaga sasabihin, hindi ako papasok sa pulitika. Hindi talaga. Kung ano man ang ginagawa ko na to, ito ay para sa Jollibee, sa MaAga ang Pasko, sa mga eskwelahan na gusto naming itayo at marami pa akong i-a-announce next year also. It has nothing to do with politics. I have nothing against it but when the time comes that I believe na may sistema na talagang tama ang umaandar, that’s the only time I would consider. But right now, no. No talaga,” Aga expressed when asked if his actions meant a political view in the future.

Aga would rather concentrate on family life but he and wife Charlene Gonzales have no plans of having another baby. “We’d always talk about it, [it’s nice to] carry a kid like that [again] but then, ang saya e. Mahirap man paniwalaan, what’s happening now sa amin, it’s just close to perfect really. I’m just so blessed with a wonderful wife. That’s why kung ano man ang ikinababait ko, ikinagaganda ng buhay ko, I give it to my wife really. She’s been good to me and very supportive,” he proudly said.

For their twin Andres and Atasha, he doesn’t want them to enter showbiz. “Parehas nasa showbiz ang magulang [nila] but siyempre like any other parents, sasabihin muna natin [dapat] makatapos muna sila ng pag-aaral. But right after college at naisipan nila, hindi ko sila pipigilan,” Aga remarked.

Going Kapuso?

Aga only does one film a year. Given a handful of film projects – a movie with Regine Velasquez, Angel Locsin and Lea Salonga respectively – Aga announced that he’ll be coming back on TV January next year.

“I’ll be having a TV show on January 2010. We’ll start taping on December,” he said.

Though he stressed that the show is not a sitcom like he always does, but a weekly show.

When asked whether it will be aired still in his home network, he jested, “Channel 4… Channel 3?” which heightened rumors that he will be jumping over to GMA next year. It has been reported that Aga will replace Richard Gomez in “Family Feud,” because the latter is running for congressman in Ormoc City come 2010 elections.

Will it be possible? Aga has just appeared in ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID with a movie with Angel Locsin under Star Cinema in the works.