The Animal is a Pinoy

I want to thank DJ, my friend’s six-year-old son, for helping me out with this story. He’s an avid wrestling fan who keeps magazines featuring his idols, with David Michael Bautista, or simply Batista a.k.a. The Animal, on top of the list, and miniatures of them in their best fighting stance. Obviously, I’m not a wrestling fan. I don’t like watching big guys throwing each other around like rag dolls. (The scenes are actually scripted and choreographed.)

But I have a story to write and Little DJ was such a big help. As a reward, I gave him an autographed copy of the poster announcing the WWE SmackDown! Survivor Series Tour on Oct. 21 and 22 at the Araneta Coliseum, starring The Animal along with fellow WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstars King Booker, The Undertaker, Chris Benoit, Sharmell, Chavo Guerrero and a few other wrestling greats.

When I asked Batista to autograph the poster after our Conversation and I told him that it was for DJ, he broke into a gentle smile and said, "I’m also DJ, you know. David Jr." That autographed poster made Little DJ’s day. He couldn’t get over the fact that his idol is his namesake.

Batista was here Friday and Saturday to promote the Big Dome show. He guested on Eat, Bulaga! and other GMA shows (Showbiz Stripped included), wowed the crowd during a motorcade around the Araneta Center in Cubao and sat down for a one-on-one with Conversations.

What makes Batista even more popular especially among his Filipino fans, most of them (believe it or not) kids, is his being half-Filipino. His father is Filipino, his mother is Greek.

This much I learned from the magazine (covered with plastic) I borrowed from DJ:

• Batista stands 6’5" and weighs 290 lbs.

• He has earned numerous titles: World Tag Team Championship in partnership with Ric Flair; the WWE Tag Team plum with Rey Mysterio; the 2005 Royal Rumble crown; and the world heavyweight title which he held for months before he relinquished it last January due to busted triceps.

• He collects lunch boxes and is good at breakdancing.

• At a bodybuilding show in Minneapolis, the future World Heavyweight Champion was spotted by professional wrestlers Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig and Road Warrior Animal who convinced him to give professional wrestling a try.

• He has a huge tattoo of a dragon on his back that goes all the way to his neck, another dragon tattooed on his right arm, a sunburst tattoo surrounding his navel and a Filipino flag (and under it two Chinese characters which mean angel) on his left arm.

DJ and other Batista fans (kids and kids-at-heart) will know more about their idol – The Animal – from the following Conversation.

It’s your first time in the Philippines...

"...yes, it is."

Aside from promoting your Big Dome show, don’t you have any other plans... maybe visit your relatives?

"I’d like to but there’s not enough time. Our two days here are kind of whirlwind. Maybe I’ll do that when I come back in October."

How much of you is Filipino?

"Fifty percent."

And how Filipino are you? What sort of upbringing did you have?

"Having been born and raised in America, I’m very Americanized."

How do you feel being in your dad’s homeland?

"It’s a pleasure, you know. It feels good. I know some Filipinos in America and I’m happy to know that they are happy with the success that I’ve had. I always say that I’m proud to be half-Filipino."

Obviously. And you show it by having a Philippine flag tattooed on your left bicep.

"I want to show my roots. People don’t believe that I’m Filipino because I’m big."

The two Chinese characters below the flag mean angels. Why angels?

"They have a special meaning to me."

Have you spent time in your mother’s homeland?

"No, I haven’t. I haven’t been to Greece. I was born in Washington D.C. and I’ve spent all my life in America."

Is everybody in your family tall?

"My father is six-feet tall."

Was he also into wrestling?

"No. He’s a hairdresser."

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

"I have a younger sister and a younger brother."

What do they do?

"They are both in college. They’re also sports-minded. My family in general is sports-minded."

I wonder, what sort of diet do you follow?

"I have a pretty normal diet, low-fat."

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

"Eggs and tocino with rice."

How many eggs did you eat?

"Four."

Did you eat only the whites?

"I ate the whole eggs, not just the whites."

What’s your favorite food?

"Sushi."

What about Filipino food?

"I like chicken adobo."

And what sort of workout wrestlers like you usually do?

"Workout? To give you an example, this morning I did a 45-minute cardio exercise in my room."

Has anybody ever dared challenge you to a fight – off the ring?

"All the time, from drunks usually."

How do you react?

"I’m a pretty nice guy, you know. I avoid it if I can. I try to talk the person out of it. I’m not a violent person, you know."

How are you like off the ring? How do you unwind?

"You know, I’m a homebody. It’s hard for me to go out in public. If I have to, I try to cover my face. Sometimes, I take my kids to the movies. I have two kids."

Any of them would follow in your footsteps?

"No. They’re too smart."

Why, don’t smart people go into wrestling?

"Had I finished my education, I’d be earning a living with my brain, not with my body. I’d rather that my kids stay away from wrestling and make a living not in a very physical job. Maybe they can become lawyers and take care of me when I retire."

I understand that your wife is a Filipina.

"Yes, she is. Her name is Angie. She’s a cancer survivor."

How did you get started in wrestling?

"I studied in a wrestling school. I’ve been in it for almost seven years. I worked as a bouncer for 10 years."

Have you had any serious injuries?

"Oh yes. Here (showing a long scar across the back of his right elbow). I got it when I had a bout with Mark Henry who weighed 450 lbs."

Oh, a 450-pounder against a 290-pounder!?!

"Yes. Anyway, he alighted on me and crossed my arm. I had several stitches on it. The doctors took a piece of my hamstring muscles and put it into my arm to re-attach it."

Are you insured?

"Oh, sure!"

For how much?

(Simply smiled. No comment.)

How many people have you beaten on your way to where you are now?

"A lot of people! I’m the quiet type of wrestler. You know, a lot of wrestlers are very loud."

You’re not the boastful type...

"...not at all. I’m shy by nature. Although I look like a big brute on the ring, I’m really not like that off the ring. I’m an angel!"

Oh, a gentle giant!

"Sure!"

Don’t you have any problem buying clothes off the rack?

"Except for my shoes, size 13, I usually have my shirts and pants made to order."

What advice can you give people who want to be a wrestler?

"It’s a hard life. Because I didn’t finish my education, my choices have been limited. I advise you to pursue your education first. Make a living with your brain, not with your body."

(Note: The WWE SmackDown! Survivor Series Tour is sponsored by Araneta Center, Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmer’s Plaza, Solar Entertainment, Solar Interactive, Ellison Enterprises, Pizza Hut, Cats Motors, Crowne Plaza and Holiday. Ticket prices are P10,500, P5,250, P3,675, P3,465, P2,100, P945 and P420. For inquiries, call the Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

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