CEBU, Philippines - He may be young and relatively new in the industry, but Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 Teen Edition first runner-up, Robi Domingo, now belongs to the ranks of civic-minded stars who are spearheading special causes.
Robi, after all, was named celebrity Ambassador for Environment by the Department of Education last year.
“As part of my responsibilities being an Ambassador for Environment, I go to Baguio, every two months, to give a talk especially in the central department for teachers there,” he told The Freeman in a recent visit to Cebu for an ABS-CBN show at ParkMall.
“It's indeed a great honor and privilege to be chosen among many artists. It's challenging and fun! What I like most is that I am able to share what I learned in school and in my own experiences to these people every time I give a talk to them,” he added.
By school, he means the Ateneo de Manila University, wherein he has been attending since elementary. He is now a college sophomore majoring in Health Sciences as his pre-Med course with a full load of 24 units to boot. And did we mention he's also a consistent dean's lister?
“It's complicated," the 20-year-old Atenean said of his schedule as a full-time student and artista. "I needed to choose the contracts or projects first before signing them so that I could not sacrifice my studies."
Robi revealed that during his first few months as a celebrity, trying to find a balance between showbiz and school spelled hell for him, as he couldn't get proper sleep at all and sometimes, he had to report for his classes with make-up from a prior shoot still on.
But that difficult stage is now a thing of the past. “I learned from that experience that it's just a matter of getting used to it,” the articulate young actor realized.
As an actor, he looks up to the late matinee idol, Rico Yan.
“I want to follow (the late) Rico Yan for his achievements and of being a matinee idol. I want to portray his kind of wholesome characters on film and TV," he said.
Shortly after exiting the PBB house, Robi was given the opportunity to join the cast of the Philippine remake of "My Girl," which was headlined by the loveteam of Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu.
Robi was next seen in the annual VJ search of the music channel MYX wherein he competed for one of four available slots. After the competition, Robi was proclaimed as one of the channel's newest VJs together with Bianca Roque, Chino Liu Pio and Monica Yncierto.
He also appears in ABS-CBN's Sunday variety show, ASAP, as part of the dance group, Gigger Boys.
Some of his other acting projects were also with the Gigger Boys. These included taking the role of Arkin in "Your Song Presents: Boystown," where he played opposite Enchong Dee and Jessy Mendiola.
Aside from being a regular on ASAP, Robi experienced what it's like to be on stage for a concert when he joined Sarah Geronimo in some of the latter's shows for her “The Next One” concert tour.
Even after new VJs were named in the 2009 MYX VJ search, Robi was retained as a video jock and he has expressed his joy at being continuously supported by his home network.
His most recent project is a guest role in the latest film featuring the loveteam of Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu, entitled “Paano Na Kaya.”
To recall, it was because of his being a housemate that Robi had to forgo his high school graduation – and the chance to personally receive his award for excellence. With all intentions of living up to the Atenean principle of "being a man for others," he considers that chance to be a housemate a worthy compromise, not because it was a claim to fame, but because it was an opportunity to be a good influence to others.
He said he always aims high, and with that, he hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in medicine. A member of the baseball varsity and the honor roll as well, it seems all is set for Robi. But there's one thing he can’t seem to get the hang of, unfortunately, and that is his love life. He admitted that he got dumped in both times he tried courting a girl.
“I am single and ready to mingle,” he said with a smile. He, however, also revealed that he has a crush on Kapamilya beauties Anne Curtis, Cristine Reyes and Kim Chiu.
He even revealed some of the unforgettable moments that he had with Kim during the taping for "Paano Na Kaya."
“Blue eyes kasi ako dito. Hindi ko mailagay ang contact lense ko kaya siya (Kim) yong naglalagay ng contact lens sa mga mata ko,” he said.
He said though that he admires the closeness that both Kim and Gerald share off-cam.
“Kinikilig ako sa kanila off cam. Talagang napaka-sweet nila. I guess they share the same thoughts and they’re both great company parang at ease na at ease talaga sila sa isa’t-isa. No doubt why nag-last ang love team nila ng ganito katagal,” Robi said.
Robi said that he feels so blessed to be given this kind of opportunity, and he’s hoping that he will be given the strength and fortitude to just press on with his life, knowing well that there will be challenges still coming his way.
“I’m so grateful to God for giving me many blessings. I hope that he would continue in giving me the strength that I need so that I could manage my life well,” Robi ended.