“It happened, so why will I hide it? But from 210 lbs., I’m now down to 170,” he says. “All my hard work paid off at 40 lbs. ang nawala sa’kin through diet and exercise, mainly mixed martial arts. And it’s good to be back. I was surprised when GMA called me up and one week later, I was taping na for ‘Adarna’. And I’m glad na ito ang nagsilbing comeback vehicle ko kasi it’s such a big project. Telefantasya na ginastusan ng husto. Tapos, sa primetime pa. My last show, ‘Forever’, was sa afternoon. Now, I’m more motivated to keep myself fit. Hindi gaya noon, matigas ang ulo ko and I eat whatever I want to eat. Now, I’m more careful.”
How is it working with Kylie Padilla? “First time namin. Nagkikita kami noon sa ‘Party Pilipinas’ and we go to the same gym but we’re not close. Ni hindi kami nagkaroon ng workshop dito, bigla na lang kaming isinalang sa taping, but we’re more comfortable now with each other. She’s okay. Magaling siya so it’s not a surprise GMA is launching her on primetime. We’re watching the monitor after taking our scenes and I’m glad na okay naman ang chemistry namin. I’m happy to be part of ‘Adarna’ kasi it introduces to today’s generation of viewers yung folk tale na ‘Ibong Adarna’, which I first heard noong nasa grade school pa ako. Like the legendary bird there, Kylie also powers in this modern story of the Ibong Adarna.”
So how’s GF Carla Abellana after the success of “My Husband’s Lover”? “She’s okay. Nagbakasyon sila ng family niya abroad but she’s soon starting a new movie, ‘Let’s Take a Chance’, with Tom Rodriguez.”
