"I am still a country boy at heart," admits Emmanuel "Bhobby" Mago, 25 (Pisces, March 15) who is flying today to Sanjay, China, to compete with more than 80 other macho men from the same number of countries in the 2007 Mr. World set for March 31. "It’s my first time to go out of the country and my first time to ride a plane. That’s why I’m excited. I used to be shy and quiet, but I’m slowly coming out of my shell."
A senior Business Administration at the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) where he has been a varsity player (for The Generals) since 2004, Bhobby is the second of nine children brought up by a widow. He finished elementary school and high school in Libmanan and he is a scholar at EAC. He’s the first EAC student to win a "beauty" title and the school is proud of him.
"I didn’t even know that I was joining the Mr. World-Philippines contest," said Bhobby. "My teammate backed out of the contest due to conflict of schedules and he recommended me as his replacement. I thought it was for a modeling job. I only knew it was for a contest two days before the deadline."
More than 100 showed up for the final screening. The number was trimmed down to 22.
"I never thought I’d win. I’m a neophyte. Some of the contestants were professional models, one of them Iago Raterta who was my bet."
During the Q&A, Bhobby drew a round of applause with his answer to the question When does a boy become a man? "When he has a responsibility to his family and becomes a productive person to his country."
What kind of diet do players like you usually follow?
"We don’t usually go on a diet. We live at the door on the campus; we are three per room; and our food is supplied by Hotel Pearl Manila (located just across the street from EAC; whose owners the same as those of EAC). I eat anything, especially red meat for energy but not too much fish. I can eat as much as I want as long as I work out at the gym regularly. We have a gym in school."
So you still work out even if you play basketball regularly.
"We follow a regular gym program. We do weights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We rehearse the rest of the week."
Is it bad to take a bath immediately after a game, while you are soaked in sweat?
"I don’t think so. We do it all the time. If sweat dry up in your body and you take a bath, baka pasukin ka ng lamig. Otherwise, you take a rest for at least 30 minutes before taking a shower."
Is it bad to take ice-cold water after a game?
"Cold or not, water is good to replenish the liquid in your body."
How much water do you take per day?
"Eight glasses, aside from what I take during the game."
What vitamins do you take?
"Revicon."
Do you smoke?
No."
Do you drink?
"Only occasionally."
How much should players like you take per night?
"At least eight hours. At the quarters, we sleep early. We’re in bed by 10 p.m. Sleep is very important, not only to athletes but to everybody."
How do you unwind?
"I and my teammates take a stroll at a nearby mall."
What about nightlife?
"None."
And how’s your love life?
"Okay lang. I have a girlfriend. She’s a nursing student also at EAC. She’s mestiza."
Sex life, if any?
"Okay lang po!"
According to Bobby Jaworski (in an interview years ago), sex isn’t really bad before a game.
"But according to other people, it can make you weak. I don’t know, huh. I haven’t tried it."
How do you cope with stress?
"At the dorm, we just exchange stories to while away our free time and then we go to sleep. Or we watch TV, listen to music or watch DVDs. Sometimes, we give each other a massage."
Bold movies?
"Sometimes. But I’d rather watch local comedies, like those of Vic Sotto and Rene Requiestas."
What’s your favorite sleep wear?
"Shorts and loose T-shirt."
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
"I pray. We pray. Our coach has taught us to always pray, especially before a game."
And the first thing that you do when you wake up?
"Agawan sa banyo!"
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My shoulders. They are broad."
What part of your body do you think needs improvement?
"My legs. Medyo payat."
Are you going to wear trunks in the Mr. World competition?
"No. Only boxer shorts."
And what part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My eyes. You can see how my eyes droop when I’m tired."
What type of girls do you find attractive?
"Mga tisay. Like my girlfriend. She has been supportive. I always tag her along to Mr. World-Philippines events."
What else do you look for in a girl?
"‘Yung quiet type. Like me; like my girlfriend. ‘Yung hindi maarte sa katawan. Simple girls."
Are you vain like most good-looking guys?
"No, I’m not. Before the Mr. World-Philippines contest, I wasn’t even conscious of my looks; I would go out without fixing myself."
Name three guys you think know how to take good care of their bodies.
"Richard Gomez. Bobby Jaworski. Val David (another basketball player)."
Name three girls you find sexy.
"Angel Locsin. Abigail Cruz (second runner-up at the recent 2007 Bb. Pilipinas pageant). Francine Prieto."
Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you like her?
"When I like a girl, I approach her and tell her so."
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)