Body talk with Drew Arellano

Although he has made considerable headway in his barely two years in showbiz as co-host of GMA’s Unang Hirit and Studio 23’s Wazzup Wazzup (with one movie to his credit, Canary Films’ Spirit of the Glass), Drew Arellano humbly acknowledges his own shortcoming.

"For me, it’s not the number of shows you have that counts but the experience," he said over a glass of iced tea at the fourth-floor coffee shop of the Discovery Suites (at Ortigas Center) where he works out regularly at the gym one floor below. "You know, I didn’t join the industry na may talent na. I’m learning on the job. I must admit that I didn’t know hosting and I continue to learn and learn."

Discovered via the Sunsilk commercial (he did one before that for Ginebra San Miguel Blue), Drew worked at a bank in the States after finishing college here. He had his own business here, all right, but he wanted to try something new and explore the proverbial greener pasture.

"My business is still there, now five years old. I import key sticks (used in billiards). It’s doing well. I also invested in a salon (called Cocoon, for men and women, at Alexandra, also in Ortigas Center) with my siblings and in a pre-school which my sister manages. But I’m having a lot of fun in showbiz, and earning good money, too."

His parents have been separated since 1987 (when Drew was seven years old) and Drew has opted to stay with his lawyer-father, popularly known simply as Atty. Aga among listeners of his early-evening radio program on RMN DZXL (which Drew co-hosts on Tuesdays to draw people his age).

"Did I develop a phobia for relationships because of that?" asked Drew. "I don’t think so. I don’t think I developed any psychological problem because of that." (In fact, he has a more than satisfactory love life, having once romanced Nancy Castiglione; he’s now going steady with Wowowee co-host Iya Villania.)

Drew is a Crush ng Bayan in his own right because of his boyish and (many of his teen fans claim) "crushable" look. He has smiling eyes and, again his teen fans claim, "kissable" lips – and two cute dimples to boot. He stands 5’7", weighs 150 lbs., wears medium-sized briefs (waistline is 30") and size 9 shoes.

Wearing his ubiquitous cap, Drew was bathroom-fresh when he sat down for a "body talk" (after which he proceeded back to the gym downstairs).

Are you happy with your body?

"I’m never happy or contented with my body that’s why I keep on working out."

What kind of diet do you follow?

"A very balanced diet. For breakfast, I eat whole-wheat cereals downed with skimmed milk. I avoid fatty food; not too much meat (chicken preferred). Fish and seafood are regular items in my meals. I take brown rice, like everybody else at home."

What vitamins do you take?

"Multivitamins, plus vitamin C. For supplement, I take protein shake."

What sort of workout do you do?

"I work out here (Discovery Suites) four to five times a week. We live nearby (in Alexandra) so I just walk to Discovery Suites; it’s part of my exercise. At the gym, I do a 10-minute warm-up on the treadmill and then do my abs or whatever part of my body I’m working on during the session."

What part of your body do you think needs a little improvement?

"All parts, especially my legs. I run, too, and I want to strengthen my legs."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"I don’t know. My teeth, I guess."

What part of a woman’s body do you look at first?

"It depends on what catches my eye first. It could be her beautiful eyes or her beautiful hair or her pretty neck or her butt."

What part of your body is the most vulnerable?

"My back. I have this lower-back problem. Slipped disc yata. I’ve been undergoing therapy."

How much liquid do you take per day?

"A lot. And I mean a lot! Just water; no soda. I’m like my dad who’s a water person."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"An average of five hours at night. After doing Unang Hirit, I go back to sleep. I wake up mid-afternoon for my Wazzup Wazzup call time (5 p.m.). I go home at 8:30 p.m. and go to bed."

How do you cope with stress?

"Working out is my therapy, I also love to walk and window-shop in the mall (usually at The Podium)."

How do you pamper yourself?

"Working out is the way I pamper myself. It’s pampering, isn’t it?"

Do you have any favorite hideaway?

"The gym. It’s my second home."

Favorite city?

"I love this city because everything is here!"

Are you vain like most good-looking guys?

"Hmmmm. Define vanity."

Well, when you are overly meticulous about how you look, I guess. Or you linger before the mirror, "admiring" yourself.

"In that case, I’m not vain. I take a quick shower and I fix myself very fast. I never linger in front of the mirror."

Do you apply anything on your face?

"Yes, Neutrogena."

Last thing you do before you go to sleep...

"I drink a glass of water. It’s been a habit."

First thing you do when you wake up...

"Take a bath."

Clothes preference.

"Faded jeans, T-shirt and cargo slippers."

Have you received any indecent proposal?

"So far? None!"

How do you deal with over-eager girls?

"I’ve never encountered any."

How’s your nightlife?

"None. Zero."

Your lovelife?

"The best!"

Sex life?

"None!"

How often do you see your doctor?

"Not the doctor but my dermatologist. But not so often."

Are you a medicine person?

"No, I’m not. Unless very necessary, I don’t take medicines (anti-biotics)."

Name three women you think have bodies-to-die-for.

"Jennifer Garner. Demi Moore. Iya Villania."

And three men...

"Brad Pitt. Marc Nelson. Jeff Rodriguez (of the disbanded Powerboys)."

Using body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire/like her?

"I smile, with my teeth showing!"

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