But it doesn’t mean "new year, new dear" for Alex who seemed to have spent the passing year "monitoring" Jeremy’s movements and suspected dalliance with other girls (Jennylyn Mercado and Toni Gonzaga, among them, even if both swore that there was never anything between them and Jeremy except, ehem, pure friendship) more than paying attention to her career (she didn’t have a regular TV show; she did only a few movies, including The Maid shot in Singapore and Barcelona shot in Spain).
"Next year," said Alex who has been enlisted as the new endorser of Kotex, "I’ll try not to fall in love muna. Maybe I’ll study music."
Her "exes" have remained her friends, she said, including Oyo Sotto, Polo Ravales, Biboy Ramirez and a non-showbiz guy, but it might take time, she added, before she’ll ever consider Jeremy (whom she still calls Papa) "a friend" because he did "something unforgiveable" to her. (Alex refused to elaborate.)
The Kotex commercial, which started airing on Christmas Day, is Alex’s first. It shows an elegant and radiant Alex in a flowing white gown, walking down the red carpet during an awards night. She feels a gush (a usual occurence during a woman’s menstrual period) which worries her a great deal. Surrounded by photographers and fans, she quickly but discreetly covers her behind with her white shawl to avoid showing any stain. And then... well, catch the commercial and see for yourself what happens next.
"We chose Alex as endorser because she embodies the essence of Kotex," said Beverly Tiangco, Kotex senior brand manager. "Young and hip, with an active lifestyle, smart, firm and strong and unyielding."
And, yes, with a figure that’s the envy of her peers.
How do you keep such a lean, sexy figure?
"Believe it or not, but I don’t follow a diet; I don’t even work out. My friends have been asking me to go with them to the gym but I’ve been saying no. Nakakatamad, eh! But one of these days I might take up dancing – belly-dancing."
What’s your weight?
"I weighed this morning. Ninety-four pounds. Two days ago, I weighed 96 lbs. I lose weight fast. Konting puyat lang, bumababa na kaagad ang timbang ko. For my height (5’7"), my weight should be at least 105 lbs."
You’re among the lucky few.
"My metabolism is fast. I eat anything but I hardly gain weight. I eat rice, lots of rice, and lots of meat – bulalo especially."
Any favorite food?
"Oysters! I gorge on fatty foods, would you believe? I’m not fond of fruits. Some vegetables...okay lang. But I won’t die without them. Take away meat in my diet and I’ll die. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Do you take any herbal supplements?
"No, I don’t."
What about vitamins?
"No, I don’t. Vitamins make me feel full all the time, so I can’t eat."
How much water do you take every day?
"A, dyan ako kulang. I take only about three glasses of water per day but I’m trying to take more. But I make up for it by taking lots of iced tea. And Coke."
Obviously, with your kind of figure, not a single part of your body needs any improvement, right?
(Cupping her palms over her breasts) "I want them to be bigger. They’re very small, ‘no?"
I think you can buy "them" at Rustan’s.
"Which ones, ‘yung silicone? Never mind! I want them real. Ayoko ng fake!"
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My legs. They are long."
And what part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My throat. I always have soar throat, maybe because I have no more tonsils. They were removed when I was six years old." (And adding with a frown) "My heart. It’s very vulnerable. It breaks very easily."
What part of a guy’s body naman do you notice first?
"It’s not physical, but his aura. If he’s fresh-looking and exudes confidence, okay siya sa akin."
What did you find attractive in Jeremy?
"‘Yung pagka-Englishero niya."
How long does it take you to fix yourself?
"It depends. If I have to attend an event, it takes me longer. Siempre, nagpapaganda ako nang husto, ‘no! Otherwise, fast! Thirty minutes at most."
Are you a bathtub person like most showbiz people (who make phone calls and read scripts in the tub)?
"Ay, wala akong bathtub sa house ko!"( Note: She has just moved to her own house somewhere in Quezon City.) "But I’ll have one installed soon."
You have a natural tan. Do you apply anything on your skin?
"Only moisturizer, before I go to sleep."
Are you afraid to stay under the sun like most women?
"No, I’m not. Takot ang araw sa akin. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I’m not vain. Tamad ako maglagay-lagay ng mga beauty ek-ek. (My sister) Assunta gives me tons of beauty products but I never use them."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"Eight hours, I see to it."
Do you sleep late?
"Yes, I do. I sleep a little after midnight. Sometimes, I sleep at 3 a.m. but I make sure that I wake up at around 10 a.m. Less than that, I’m lowbatt (sluggish) the whole day. And my throat aches."
Don’t you take any energizer?
"Only Berroca (stresstabs)."
What’s your favorite sleeping wear?
"Loose T-shirt and boxer shorts."
Are you a pillow person?
"Yes, I am. I sleep with more than six pillows. A long one under my head, one beside my face, one I hug, one at my back. The pillows cover my whole body! You know what...I used to have this strange urge to pee and pee at night. I guess it was psychological because when I stopped thinking about it, basta na lang tumigil.""
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
"I pray. I put my cell phone on ‘silent’ mode."
And the first thing that you do when you wake up?
"I pray again, and then I put my cell phone on ‘active’ mode."
How do you unwind?
"I go to the spa, but that’s very seldom... only when I’m really stressed-out. I prefer hanging out at D’Cafe (on Scout Esguerra, Quezon City, owned by her friend Danica Sotto). What do I do there? Nakaupo; minsan, nakikialam."
Any favorite city or hideaway?
"Singapore. Only because during the shooting of The Maid, I was able to ‘bond’ with several nice people there."
How’s your nightlife?
"Wala akong nightlife. If somebody invites me out and I can’t say no, I tell her, ‘Okay, pero sandali lang, ha!’ I’d rather stay home and watch movies on DVD or listen to music."
What kind of movies and music do you like?
"All kinds of movies, especially French films and classics. The other night, I watched Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Zee Moveeh in the moviehouse. Maganda! I listen to all kinds of music except heavy metal. I like the songs of Nina Simone. I made Papa (Jeremy) listen to Nina Simone pero hindi niya na-appreciate, would you believe!?!"
What about books?
"I read mostly how-to books. I even read a book about typewriters and about diving."
Obviously, your outlook in life is very positive, very optimistic. Do you ever worry?
"I don’t! I leave it all up to Him. With Him around, you have no reason to worry."
Name three women you think have bodies as nice as yours.
"None! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I can’t think of any. Yes, Halle Berry and Gelli de Belen. At, siempre, ako!"
And three men...
(Thinks long and hard) "None! Oh yes, the new James Bond (Daniel Craig)."
Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him?
"I take a quick look at him and look away. I pretend that I’m not impressed with him."
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)