Starting over again

Two years ago, when he started out as a ramp and commercial model, you mention his name and you get this instant reaction, "Andrew who?" But thanks to his notorious fights with his erstwhile girlfriend, Viva Hotbabe Gwen Garci and his brief dalliance with sexy comedienne Keanna Reeves, Andrew Wolff gained instant recall among showbiz fans and insiders.

Looking back at how he gained reputation in the business, Andrew, who is of Filipino-British descent, can only sigh.

"What’s past is past," Andrew says. "I hope I can clear my name and project a good image of who I really am."

His tumultuous relationship with Gwen lasted for two years. Although they are still not on speaking terms, Andrew hopes that they can be friends again.

"I’d like people to know that I didn’t use her (Gwen) just to be known in the showbiz circle," Andrew discloses. "I really fell in love with her. With regard to Keanna, I dated her briefly. Pinalaki lang ng press. It’s just sad that the public got to know me not because of my merits as a person, but because of all those issues and controversies."

Andrew, who was away from the public eye for several months, admits he did go on vacation to the UK, where his parents are based, and the US, where he stayed with some relatives, to clear his mind and do some soul-searching. He returned to the country last December, although still not ready to start a full-time showbiz career.

As of now, Andrew is simply busy with modeling and product endorsements. He is the image model of Bench and recently signed up to endorse Met Thathione (reduced gluthathione), one of the leading health and beauty supplements in the market which is the flagship product of White Beauty Philippines. Andrew endorses the product with Pauleen Luna.

Other celebrities who use Met Thathione are Lorna Tolentino, Stella Ruiz, Neri Naig, Kitkat, Maui Taylor, Willie Nepomuceno, Natasha Ledesma, Cory Quirino, Gladys Reyes, Jason Abalos, Katrina Halili, Wendell Ramos, Regine Tolentino, Daisy Reyes, Sherilyn Reyes, Nene Tamayo, Roxanne Barcelo, Aiza Marquez and Francine Prieto.

"I’m back for good," says Andrew, who is managed by Douglas Quijano. "I miss the Philippines, the people here and the weather. I want to make it good here and establish a good reputation and a good career."

Andrew plans to finish his studies here and earn a college degree, preferably from the University of the Philippines, where he plans to enroll in architecture. "I was taking up computer engineering at Bristol University in the UK when I left in 2004 and came to Manila," Andrew shares. "But the course is not being offered in any of the colleges here. I also realized after some soul-searching I did in the US last year, that it was not the career I wanted to pursue. I am now in a home-study program, but I plan to enroll next school year and take up architecture or civil engineering."

Born on July 13, 1985 in Little Hampton, south of London, Andrew grew up in Eastwich and studied at Bristol University. His dad is Englishman Barry Wolff, while his mom is a Filipina, Dorina Peñaflorida, who hails from Mindoro. He is the eldest of three kids, with two half-siblings from his mother.

Andrew has no illusions of being a superstar in showbiz. For the meantime, he simply enjoys what he does — modeling and product endorsements. If he will be given other good breaks and opportunities, he will welcome them.

"I even want to try acting if there’s a good project," Andrew says. "But I will take a workshop first to prepare me for any acting project. Slowly but surely, that’s how I want to pursue my career."