"It happened when I was seven years old," said James. "The rented jeep we were riding in turned turtle and I was thrown out of it."
That intimation of mortality happened again three years ago when his mother died, a tragedy that has left a gnawing pain in James’ heart.
"She was young," said James. "Until then, I thought that only old people die."
That’s why James has learned to value life perhaps unlike many people his age.
"Life is short and precious, so why bother with petty things?," he added.
"Petty things" such as, yes, showbiz intrigues.
"I don’t let them affect me," assured James who was rumored to have cut ties with his first manager, Popoy Caritativo, after more than five years because he got jealous of Popoy’s other talent, Dennis Trillo, who is getting the big breaks and hogging the spotlight without his meaning to.
"Dennis is my friend," said James who’s now in the stable of Arnold Vegafria, "and I have nothing against him. I don’t have any hard feelings for Popoy who has helped me a lot."
Discovered via the Lifebuoy TV commercial which rightly portrayed him as a Mama’s Boy ("I am"), James has been in the business for six years, introduced in Regal Films’ Cool Dudes with Cogie Domingo and Danilo Barrios. He has done six other movies after that (the last was Canary Films’ Kutob, shown at last year’s Metro Manila Filmfest).
Second to the eldest among five children, James quit his studies when showbiz beckoned (he was then a B.S. Marketing junior at the Philippine School of Business Administration in Quezon City).
James stands 5’8.5", weighs 145 lbs., has a 30-inch waistline, and wears medium-size briefs and size-10 shoes.
What sort of diet do you follow?
"None. I eat anything. I take only two full meals a day because I usually wake up late – brunch and another meal at 6 p.m. After that, I try not to eat anything. If I get hungry, I take fiber crackers as snack."
What’s your favorite food?
"Kaldereta."
What food do you avoid?
"Fatty and oily food."
What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?
"Vitamin E (400 I.U.), vitamin C (1,000 mgs.), Stresstabs and antioxidant."
How much water do you take per day?
"More than eight glasses because I sweat a lot. Pawisin ako. My metabolism is fast, too."
Favorite drink?
"Fruit juices."
Do you take hard drinks?
"Yes, brandy. I used to drink brandy a lot. Not anymore."
Do you smoke?
"No, I don’t."
Do you do drugs?
"No. I’ve never even tried it."
What sort of workout do you do?
"I box. I do the treadmill. I’ve been going to the gym daily because I’m preparing for the Bench show on June 30 as one of the underwear models."
Favorite sport?
"Basketball."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My shoulders."
What part of a girl’s body do you notice first?
"Her shoulders."
And what part of your body do you think needs improvement?
"My abs. They are hard to trim down. I do 300 sit-ups every day."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"Eight hours."
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
"Watch TV to make me feel drowsy."
And the first thing that you do when you wake up?
"Brush my teeth and wash my face. I usually wake up at 11 a.m."
How do you cope with stress?
"I go to the gym. Or I get a massage at the Zeus Spa near my place (in Alabang)."
Do you apply anything on your face?
"Yes. Moisturizer."
What’s your favorite perfume?
"Kenzo."
Are you vain like most good-looking guys?
"Not really vain but I take care of myself. Being an actor, I have to be neat and clean; I have to look good at all times."
How’s your nightlife?
"None. I hate bar-hopping because bars are usually full of smoke. I don’t smoke, remember? Passive smoking is more dangerous to one’s health than actual smoking, isn’t it?"
How’s your love life?
"Masaya. Okey lang. My girlfriend is not from showbiz."
How often do you see your doctor?
"Seldom."
Your dentist?
"Every three months."
And your dermatologist?
"Twice a month. I go to Bioessence."
Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?
"Charlize Theron."
Name three women you think have beautiful bodies.
"Charlize Theron. Anne Hathaway. Anne Curtis."
And three men...
"Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise. Keanu Reeves."
Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire/like her?
"I smile at her. If she smiles back, I wink at her."