Eddie’s secret of longevity and list of favorites

He is 84 (born on May 2, 1920 in Juban, Sorsogon) and is as fit, even more so, as an l8-year-old. His sex appeal hasn’t been adversely affected by the years and, I bet you, if he walks into a roomful of ladies, young and old alike, beside much younger men, ’em ladies will fall all over him and bluntly ignore the younger one.

So what keeps Eddie Garcia up and about, as sexy and as healthy and as robust as he was when he was recruited for showbiz by director Eddie Romero in l949 from the Philippine Scouts?

I’ve written about it several times and I’m writing it again for the benefit of Funfare readers who must have missed that feature (first published in the Philippine Daily Express’ Sunday magazine Weekend on Sept. 16, 1984 and included in my book Star Studded).

"Moderation," said Eddie, "moderation in everything. I don’t abuse myself."

He avoids fatty foods, rarely eats eggs but lots of veggies, fruits and fish (and lean meat every once in a while), and takes no less than 19 kinds of vitamins and minerals every day, to wit:

Tocopherol (to improve circulation and counteract the aging process), Vitron-E with Lecithin (to keep blood pressure down), Yeast/Natural B-Complex and RNA, Vitamin C (to prevent certain types of viral and bacterial infections), B-Pollen with Royal Jelly (for that "rebirth" feeling), Seavit (for relief of some ailments), Kelp/Lecithin B-6 (for reducing weight), Pantothenic Acid (against stress and to prevent graying of hair), Pharmaton Capsules (to restore physical and mental powers), Ginseng (to heighten sexual appetite), Magnesium Phostate (to prevent muscle cramps), Garlic Oil (also to keep blood pressure down), Raw Gland Concentrate (to help the pancreas function better), Zinc (to eliminate carbon dioxide), a certain Chinese medicine (for recovery of youth), a certain hair-booster, Iron, Paba Amino-Benzoic Acid (also to prevent graying of hair) and Vitamin B-Complex (to control stress).

That "roll call" of vitamins was first revealed by Eddie 20 or so years ago and he claimed that he’s still taking the same, most of them anyway, and has added two or three more along the way. "But not Viagra," Eddie said in jest. "I don’t need it."

He also exercises a lot and gets at least six hours of sleep every night–and no nightlife, please, if he can help it. And no hard drinks, either. (He said he stopped smoking in 1971, after chain-smoking for 21 years!)

Not the kiss-and-tell type, Eddie said that what he finds sexy in a woman is her totality.

"The way she carries her dress is very important. Later on, once you get over her physical assets, you delve deeper. She becomes sexier and more attractive when you find out that she has a good heart, too. Kapag maganda ang ugali ng isang babae, even if she’s not that stunning, she can be beautiful."

Televiewers get to see up close how youthful-looking – and sexy – Eddie is in the GMA soap Narito ang Puso Ko which he recently joined (fresh from the recently-concluded Kung Mawawala Ka), playing Felipe San Victores, the brother of the late Don Antonio San Victores (late husband of Dolores, played by Rosa Rosal). The younger cast of Narito includes Jolina Magdangal, James Blanco and Raymart Santiago.

Also something to look forward to is Eddie’s film The Debut, done in America by US-based director Gene Cajayon and selected Best Picture in both the Hawaii International Film Festival and the San Diego Asian Film Festival. The Debut, also starring Tirso Cruz III and Gina Alajar, tackles a theme similar to that of Mano Po; it’s the story of a Filipino family trying to make it in the Land of Milk and Honey with Eddie as the patriarch (same role he played in Mano Po).

Released by Columbia Pictures internationally, The Debut is the opening film of the 2003 Makati CineManila International Film Festival which starts on Aug. 7. Regular run in Metro Manila theaters starts on Aug. 13.

For a change, instead of asking Eddie more about his "longevity" and "staying power," Funfare decided to let Eddie "play favorites," the same one played by other stars.

Here’s the list:

• Actor – Max von Sydow (Virgin Spring, The Exorcist, The Greatest Story Ever Told as Jesus Christ, etc.)

• Actress – Julietta Massina (La Strada, etc.)

• Singer – Julie London

• Song – Cry Me a River

• Film (of Another Star) – Sundays & Cybele

• Film (His Own) – Tubog sa Ginto (directed by Lino Brocka where Eddie played the closet-queen husband of Lolita Rodriguez)

• Film (Which He Directed) – Atsay (starring Nora Aunor)

•Foreign Director(s) – Ingmar Bergman and David Lean ("His visuals are stunning!")

• Saint – San Antonio de Padua

• Perfume – Armani

• Time of Day – Sunset ("Very romantic!")

• Day of the Week – Sunday

• Sleepwear – Loose T-shirt and shorts

• Sleeping Position – On his right side, with two pillows

• Food – Laing

• Restaurant – Any Italian restaurant

• Part of His Body – None

• Part of a Woman’s Body – The boobs

• Author – Robert Ludlum

• Book – The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (by Len Dieghton)

• Car – Hammer (the one he’s driving; not fond of sports cars)

• City – Goldcoast, Australian ("It’s a fun place!")

• Pastime – Target-shooting

• Drink – Whatever his buddies are drinking

• Possession – Old rosaries he keeps in his wallet along with two little images of the Sto. Nino

• Expression – Oragon! (Bicol word meaning magaling)

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