Two former Kapamilya stars, Vin Abrenica and Rafael Rosell were included in the Lolong cast, as revealed by the GMA Network on Wednesday, August 10.
Abrenica will portray the role of Diego, the lost boyfriend of Bella (Arra San Agustin). He is the leader of the Atubaw who will take revenge against the Banson.
“Isa akong Atubaw. Isa siyang leader. Na-witness niya lahat ng pang-aapi sa mga Atubaw so malalim talaga ang galit ni Diego. ‘Di din natin alam din dito, ‘di ko pa kaya i-disclose, kung magiging kasangga ba siya or magiging kalaban ba siya. We’ll see,” Abrenica said.
Abrenica is known for its biggest break as Jepoy Madrigal in Wildflower. His final project with ABS-CBN was the primetime series A Soldier’s Heart, where he played Capt. Elmer Marasigan.
Meanwhile, Rosell will play Father Reyes, the parish priest of Tumahan.
“‘Yung character ko dito ay si Father Reyes. Relocated siya na pari, napapad sa Tumahan. Naniniwala po siya na lahat ng buhay ay bigay ng Diyos kaya dapat lahat ng buhay–puno man ‘yan, ilog, insekto, buwaya, tao, Atubaw–dapat lahat ‘yan protektahan. So ‘yung story ng character ko ay nagre-revolve doon sa mga buhay na dapat niyang protektahan bilang trabahador ng Diyos,” Rosell shared.
In 2021, Rosell returned to Kapuso Network after two years in ABS-CBN. He was last seen in the network through an Ipaglaban Mo! episode.
Lolong stars Ruru Madrid in the title role. It premiered on July 4, 2022. Thea Tolentino and Alma Concepcion were also included in the series.
Tolentino will play the role of Celia, an Atubaw willing to fight for her race.
“Ako naman po dito si Celia. Ako po ay isang Atubaw at magdadala po ako ng isang batang Atubaw. Ang ama po ng dinaala ko ay si Diego, si Vin. As the story progresses po, malalaman niyo kung anong magiging role ng aking anak. Si Diego ay long lost lover ni Bella, ni Arra, kaya abangan niyo kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon niya kapag nalaman niyang kami ni Diego ay mag-asawa na,” Tolentino said.
Concepcion will give life to the character of Ines, the sister of Raul (Leandro Baldemor).
“Ang karakter ko po ay si Ines. Siya po ang tiyahin ni Lolong. Marami pang hindi alam si Lolong tungkol sa tribo ng Atubaw. He will reconnect to his roots. Isa ako sa makaka-relay sa kanya [ng kaalaman]. Si Ms. Ines medyo may pagkukulang sa pag-iisip pero in the end, madi-discover din nila ‘yung talagang full powers ng mga Atubaw,” Concepcion revealed.
Lolong also stars Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Paul Salas, Christopher De Leon, Jean Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Malou De Guzman, Bembol Roco, and many more.