Brace yourselves for the G-4

No, the pretty and boyish – and, may I hasten to add, wholesome – faces you are looking at are not those of F4 members Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Ken Zhu and Vanness Wu of the phenomenally successful chinovela Meteor Garden, although this foursome is as good-looking as if not better looking than those Taiwanese idols of the current swooning generation (woe to congressmen who find Meteor Garden a big no-no... switch to Klasmeyts, guys, pronto!).

These four guys are collectively known as G-4 – as in Guwapo 4ever.

They are the new discoveries of Starmaker Douglas Quijano who launched the Guwapings (Jomari Yllana, Eric Fructuoso and Mark Anthony Fernandez) in the early ’90s. Jomari went on to prove himself as a versatile actor while Eric was somehow derailed somewhere and Mark Anthony took time out from showbiz to deal with "demons" in his life (he’s drug-free now and has successfully taken up where he has left off, at peace with himself and the world around him and free of those "demons," at last).

Oh, yes, the G-4. Meet them:

• Andrew Schimmer, l7, half-German and half-Filipino, an only child of German businessman Jimmy Schimmer and Julita Regala (one-time employee at the Quezon City Hall). Andrew finished second-runnerup in Eat, Bulaga!’s Mr. Pogi search in 2002 and that’s where Douglas saw him. At that time, said Douglas, "I was already eyeing a lot of possible ‘candidates’ and making eliminations at the same time."

Asked to describe himself, Andrew said, "I’m serious with my studies, that’s why I go out on gimiks only on weekends. I never stay out too late. I love airplanes so I want to be a pilot someday. I can always combine showbiz and taking a course in flying." He can, of course. Ian Veneracion and Isabel Granada are graduates of a flying school, although they have opted to be "grounded" in showbiz. (Isabel recently gave birth to her and husband Geryk Genasky’s first child; Geryk is the grandson of singer Rudy Genasky.)

A basketball/volleyball enthusiast (yes, he plays the games well), Andrew dreams of following in the footsteps of his idols, Richard Gomez and John Travolta (his favorite actresses are Nicole Kidman and Dawn Zulueta).

"I like girls who are intelligent and who have a sense of humor," said Andrew.

• Benj Besa, l5, part-Spaniard, part-American and part-Filipino, second of three children of Benjamin Besa, Sr. (from the Besas noted for shoe business and boxing-promotion), former manager of the Masinloc Water District in Zambales, and Elizabeth Echague, a housewife. Benj was first runner-up in the Mr. Pogi search also last year and that was where Douglas also saw him.

"I love action and sci-fi movies," said Benj (who could pass for the grandson of Cecilia Lopez, the blue-green-eyed actress of the ’60s who was among FPJ’s favorite leading ladies... remember her?) who lists as his favorite actors Richard Gomez, Eddie Garcia, Joey Marquez, Jennifer Garner, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. "I won’t miss Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle and you know why."

Besides being a good actor, Benj dreams of becoming a successful computer engineer. His favorite sport is boxing (he also plays chess).

"I am attracted to girls who are nice, sensible and sweet," he added, breaking into a bedimpled smile.

• Kiel Rodriguez, l4, second of three children of Richard Rodriguez, a taxi operator and member of the SOS Stuntmen, and Luzviminda Francisco, a housewife.

"I’m learning stunt tricks and techniques from my father," said Kiel whom Douglas might groom as an action star someday. "I watch a lot of action films." His list of favorite actors surprisingly doesn’t include any action star. Kiel, who sports a haircut that looks like a Voit basketball, admires Joey Marquez, Jomarin Yllana, LJ Moreno and Maureen Larrazabal. His favorite basketball heroes are Benjie Paras, Michael Jordan and (Sen.) Bobby Jaworski.

"Someday, I want to be a good basketball player, a good action star and a good father," said Kiel whose ideal girl must be beautiful and sexy, tahimik at mabait.

• Jay Aquitania, l5, second to the youngest among the l0 children (including Antonio Aquitania) of Teodorico Aguitania and Alicia Ford.

"How was it growing up in a big family? Masaya-magulo."

A deadringer for Jomari Yllana (who is not among his favorite actors – Anjo Yllana, Joey Marquez, Robert DeNiro and Eddie Murphy), Jay enjoys watching comedy/action films.

"I also love to draw," he volunteered.

Besides being a good actor, Jay wants to be a successful businessman, After high school, he plans to take up a course in business and communication arts.

He prefers girls who are silent, simple and intelligent.

"Do I get pointers from my kuya (Antonio)? All he tells me is to take my work seriously."

These days, you can catch the G-4 in the GMA 7 sitcom Kool Ka Lang.

Douglas believes that the F4/Meteor Garden fever is a fad, much like the Filipino fascination with the likes of Marimar and Fernando Jose who sort of broke the "spell" when they came for a visit. Soon, their Pinoy fans discovered that they didn’t look the way they did in their telenovelas (dubbed by Pinoy talents) and they didn’t come up to local fans’ high expectations. That’s a cue to ABS-CBN: Don’t bring the F4 guys here or they might, in the flesh, only "disappoint." Sustain the suspense the way telenovelas do – by stretching the fans’ fantasy and curiosity.

"You know how I call the G-4 boys?" asked Douglas who is sure he has a goldmine. "They are my Bulacan Garden!"

From my e-mail

Dear Ricky,

This in reply to the letter sender about Bayani Agbayani.

I’ve been watching OK, Fine! Whatever thru TFC since it started airing. I don't see any malicious intentions of the cast or of the guests. Lahat ’yun part ng sinasabi nilang "comedy." Their style includes "personal" jokes which make the show funnier and mas inaabangan ng mga tao. It is so real kaya mas nakakaaliw. Siguro naman, if Nikki was offended, she would say something to Bayani off-cam. Mukhang game na game naman siya and she doesn’t mind being the center of the jokes. It just suits her role as the maid of the house. Di ba usually, in our homes, we also make fun of our helpers... just to add spice to our conversation.

You sounded like you are living in the ’60s. Get out of your shell... and have a life. Bayani is JUST FINE... and being himself... a real comedian. Lahat ng comedians make fun of other people, be it personal or superficial, to make their lines nakakatawa. Kaya you know what, just relax and enjoy the show. I'm sure there's more people out there who think like me than you do.

To OK, Fine! Whatever... congratulations on your first anniversary. You are doing a GREAT job. Keep it up.

Regards,
– Em-em Dee

(Dear Em-em Dee, Speak for yourself. Not all Filipinos make fun of their maids. Not me. In our household, we consider our maids as part of the family. We don’t make fun of them, like you said you do. No wonder you enjoy the Bayani Agbayani brand of comedy and "humor." Birds of a feather...)

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