Steven Seagal starts filming in Vigan

- American action star Steven Seagal visited the historical Calle Crisologo in Vigan

- Seagal is taping the television series "General Commander" in different provinces in the Philippines

- Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson is a co-producer of the series

US action movie actor and producer Steven Seagal started filming his new crime series "General Commander" in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday, November 29.

He is with his wife Elle Seagal, who is also starring in the action thriller as his character's wife.

Seagal will play a crime fighter who's focused against organ and illegal substance trafficking. The show will also tackle terrorism.

Ilocos Sur politician Chavit Singson, who is also a longtime friend of Seagal, recommended Vigan and other parts of the Philippines as shooting location for the TV show.

According to Seagal, he had been coming to the Philippines since the time of former president Ferdinand Marcos. He had previously traveled to Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and other parts of the country with Singson.

An aikido black belt, Seagal said they will incorporate Filipino martial arts in the series. He mentioned using eskrima and kali.

Eighty percent of the show will be filmed in the Philippines. They are also set to shoot in Marawi.

According to director-producer Philippe Martinez, their crew is 90 percent Filipino. He praised the Filipino crew's efficient work, saying that once they explained what they want to do, it gets done at once.

Chavit said the crime drama will help the local movie industry as it creates jobs for production people. It will also boost tourism because the series will be shown in different countries.

The show is expected to film in the Philippines for nine months. Its twelve episodes will be aired first in ABS-CBN before airing in more than 35 countries.

Source: KAMI.com.gh