Actor-politician Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. credits his Metro Manila Film Festival top grossing film “Panday” as one of the reasons behind his “winnability,” based on the latest surveys for senatorial candidates running in the 2010 national elections.

The latest Pulse Asia survey released on February 5, 2010 had Revilla leading the pack of candidates with a 51.9% rating, which translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 2nd place.

The non-commissioned survey was conducted from January 22 to 26, 2010 using face-to-face interviews of 1,800 representative adults aged 18 and above.

Following close is his good friend Jinggoy Estrada, also an actor, who eked a 50.4 percent edge, to earn first to third place.

In an interview, the son of former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada” said the boost in Revilla’s ranking is due to the popularity of his film, which he surmised is still fresh in the minds of the voting public when the survey was done.

“The survey was conducted only a few days after [the festival] so… that might’ve been what helped him,” he opined.

Revilla also topped the January Social Weather Station survey with 58% of respondents supporting his re-election.

According to Revilla, although “Panday” helped boost his popularity, there are other reasons to consider.

"I don't engage in graft and corruption so that helped as well,” said Revilla in Filipino.

The senator advised those who want to be like him to “stay positive.”

“People don’t like [a campaign running on] negativity… it also helps if you are sincere.”

Revilla is eager to show support for the administration candidate, Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

He called the former Defense chief the “new breed of revolutionary hero.”

“He is the candidate who has the intelligence and adequate skills to lead this country.”