“Ako rin, I’m surprised I won kasi, unang-una, wala akong napanalunang special awards at all gaya nung iba,” he says. “My friends keep on telling me, malakas ang laban mo, but I won’t believed them kasi the competition is really very tough. But I’m glad that when it came to the actual title, I was the one who won. Up to now, parang surreal pa rin ang dating sa’kin ng moment na yun.”
An HRM graduate of UST, he won P500,000 cash plus one year supply of tuna, use of a certain gym and spa, and other freebies. “Hindi pa nabibigay. At saka na lang daw. But next year, they say the contest will be bigger and will be held in the U.S., so sana isama nila ako roon.”
How did he prepare for the contest? “They had their go see on March 16 and from then on, I really disciplined myself sa diet at sa training ko. I did some research and I learned you have to prepare not only physically through workouts but also mentally and emotionally. Also, I want to just enjoy the whole experience, which I did.”
So what’s he expected to do as the male winner? “I don’t know yet, siguro, promote their product. The money will really help as I’m sending my younger sister to school in La Salle.”
How did his colleagues in Boy Abunda’s Not Your Ordinary Boys and Girls react to his winning? “They’re all so happy for me. They were really cheering and pushing for me. Wala namang inggitan sa amin.”
What’s his plan now? “I’ve tried acting and I like it. I appeared as a model with Ellen Adarna in ‘Moon of Desire’. So makatulong sana talaga itong pananalo ko para mabigyan ng better roles at mas makilala ako sa showbiz.”
Is he ready to do sexy roles? "Why not? Sayang naman my working hard for this body. As they say, if you've got it, show it."
For more info about Mauro, call Backroom Inc. at 4351108, 4351120 and 9280717 or email backroominc@hotmail.com.
