Body Talk with Ara Mina

If traffic files into a jam in the south-bound side of EDSA after crossing the Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City, blame it on that huge Vicki Belo billboard featuring Ara Mina, put up a few weeks ago. Ara is the newest "Body by Belo" and passers-by/commuters can’t help but gasp at the sight of the larger-than-life Ara.

Asked how her ex-boyfriend Jomari Yllana (don’t you wonder why nothing much is heard about him and Pops Fernandez lately?) would react if and when he sees that newest eye-catcher on EDSA, Ara jokingly said, "Well, manghihinayang siya!" Jomari will "regret it," you can be sure!

Since she broke up with Jomari more than two years ago, Ara has been fancy-free, dating here and there every once in a while but holding back from plunging into another serious involvement.

Isn’t she and Polo Ravales an item (after they met – and matched? – at a gym they used to work out in)?

"We’re just friends," Ara gives the usual reply.

Friends in love?

"No," she said, "friends as in friends. We’re dating, ganoon, but we’re not committed to each other."

Ara just came back from almost a month of concert tour (with Dingdong Avanzado and his wife Jessa Zaragoza, etc.) of the US that brought the entourage to San Francisco, Honolulu and other US cities (with L.A. and others included in the itinerary of the concert’s second leg slated for September).

Ara (a Mathay in real life, her biological father being former Quezon City Rep. Chuck Mathay) stands 5’6", weighs 125 lbs., measures 36-25-37, and wears small-size shirts and size 8 shoes.

How long have you been a Vicki Belo client?

"Four years already."

What kind of treatment are you undergoing?

"Facial. Laser hair removal. Endermology."

No liposuction – yet?

"Yes, I had. A few weeks before I left for the States."

Are you allergic to anything?

"None that I know of."

How often do you see your dentist?

"I should be doing it regularly, at least every six months, but I always forget. My dentist is already mad at me. But when I was in the States, I had my teeth cleaned."

Wow, mahal ang dental treatment doon!

"I have a friend who has a dentist-friend. Libre."

Being a stickler for cleanliness, you expect your leading men (especially in love scenes) to be clean, too, I guess.

"Of course! Before he goes to the set, I expect him to have taken a good bath. Before doing a kissing scene, I expect him to brush his teeth and gargle a mouth cleanser, especially if he smokes. I don’t smoke and I hate the smell of cigarettes."

You mean, you never smoked?

"Never! Although in some of my movies, I am forced to smoke if my role calls for it. I never learned how to smoke, at ayoko talaga."

You drink, don’t you?

"Oh, yes. But only red wine – or my favorite vodka. But only moderately."

Is it hard to maintain a Vicki Belo body?

"With Vicki Belo there, it’s easy."

What sort of diet do you follow?

"I eat mostly vegetables, with brown rice... never white. Chicken also but without the skin."

Favorite snacks?

"Dati Piattos."

Do you take vitamins and/or minerals?

"Vitamin C and, sometimes, multivitamins."

What kind of workout do you do?

"Lately, I haven’t had the time to work out. After the lipo, I have to slow down a bit for three months and wait for it to be completely healed."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My butt."

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

"The butt. His totality as a person."

And what part of your body do you think needs some improvement?

"My legs."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"It depends. If I get four hours, happy na ako."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"Apply all sorts of creams on my face and body, and then pray."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"Pray. I keep a prayer book on the side table beside my bed. And then, I gather my hair in a ponytail. I also keep a hair tie beside my bed. I don’t want to get up with my hair all over my face."

How much liquid do you take every day?

"Sana eight but I take less than that. I’m not used to it but I try to take as much water as I can."

How do you cope with stress?

"When there’s no shooting or taping, I relax at home. Or I get a massage. Actually, I’m a massage addict."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"Tagaytay."

What’s your favorite city?

"San Francisco. Nice weather."

Aren’t you afraid of the sun?

"Medyo. When I’m exposed to the sun, the freckles on my arms come out. When my skin darkens, it’s not even."

How’s your love life?

"Okay lang, even if I’m busy."

How are you and Polo?

"Okay naman. No commitment."

Is it true that his parents don’t approve of your relationship?

"I don’t think so."

What about your mom (former actress Venus Imperial)... Is Polo okay with her?

"She’d rather that I don’t get into another serious relationship yet."

How’s your nightlife?

"Practically zero. Busy, eh!"

Are you vain like most good-looking women?

"Medyo."

How long does it take you to fix yourself (from showering to dressing up)?

"Medyo matagal. Mga two hours.

Why that long?

"I take time choosing what to wear. Gusto ko, terno-terno."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m a positive thinker. Worry? Why should I?"

Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?

"Freddie Prinze."

What turns you on in a man (aside from the butt)?

"‘Yung hindi masyadong bolero. I’m intrigued by quiet guys – you know, I believe that action speaks louder than words."

And what turns you off?

"Braggarts. A guy who’s fond of saying, ‘I have like this, I have like that’."

Name three men you think have beautiful bodies.

"Polo Ravales. Usher. Brad Pitt (in Troy)."

And three women...

"Eva Longoria. Beyoncé. Halle Berry."

Using body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?

"I blush usually at nagiging shy ako. Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya."

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