MANILA, Philippines ? ?I felt embarrassed the first time I heard. The idea of me portraying Ninoy in a movie is overwhelming,? said award-winning actor Aga Muhlach.

Philippine Daily Inquirer sought Aga?s reaction to the news that TV host Kris Aquino thinks he?s perfect for the role of her dad, opposition leader Benigno ?Ninoy? Aquino, in the biopic to be produced by ABS-CBN.

?I feel flattered that the Aquinos are even considering me. Should [the network] bosses decide to give me the role, I will work very hard for it,? Aga said last week at the launch of Jollibee?s MaAga ang Pasko Jolly Toy Scout Training Camp at the SMX in Pasay City.

Star Cinema, the Kapamilya network?s movie-production arm, earlier announced that it is eyeing Batangas Governor Vilma Santos to portray former President Corazon Aquino, with Piolo Pascual as the young Ninoy.

Aga is currently working on the romantic feature, ?Of All the Things,? with Regine Velasquez. The movie directed by Joyce Bernal is Viva Films? first offering for 2010. ?We?re halfway done. I hope we can open on Valentine?s Day,? the actor said.

Aga said he was scheduled to make another Star Cinema feature, with Angel Locsin, to be directed by Olivia Lamasan.

He said he wished to share his blessings in the past year, as usual, with under-privileged children. Aga announced that he would take part in Jollibee Foundation?s construction and renovation of classrooms in select Metro Manila and Northern Luzon areas severely damaged by the recent typhoons.

?This has long been a dream project,? he noted. ?I?m happy that a lot of people have offered to help. The idea is, for every classroom I help build, tatapatan ng Jollibee ng isa [Jollibee will match it]. It?s time we stopped blaming others for what this country lacks, and just do what we can to help.?

On his own

Aga added: ?I started my own gift-giving program 16 years ago, with just my driver. We went to an orphanage and handed out toys I had collected to about 40 kids. It has gotten so big since, that millions of children get toys and books at Christmas time.?

He cited the fast-food chain for making this possible. Last year, he said, Jollibee, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, collected over 187,000 donated toys and books within Metro Manila alone.

He added that more than 15,000 Toy Scouts have signed up and that, even adults are able to participate actively by giving, and gathering donations.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph