Body Talk with Goma

If you were to gauge Richard "Goma" Gomez’s chances in the heated senatorial race by the enthusiastic public response during his campaign sorties around the country, you would conclude that he could be a winner.

Goma was, as usual, busy shaking hands somewhere in La Union during this phone interview. I could hear in the background ear-splitting screams of "Goma, Goma, Goma!," with Goma sometimes excusing himself to acknowledge the cheers and the kisses and the embraces which, if translated into votes, could give him a safe margin, keep your fingers crossed.

But running as an "indie" has its risks, as veterans in politics have been warning Goma. You know, he may win people’s hearts — and votes — but will his votes be counted? You see, "indies" suffer from a lack of watchers due largely to lack of logistics.

"But the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition) will hopefully help me on that score," said Goma.

Not many people (who see him only as an actor) know that Goma has impressive credentials.

Born Richard Icasiano Gomez on April 7, 1966 to Josephine Icasiano (a.k.a. Stella Suarez of San Rafael, Bulacan) and Ed Kelly Gomez (of Manila), and married to Lucy Torres (with whom he has a daughter, Juliana, turning seven on Sept. 8), Goma finished secondary school at the Arellano University Jose Abad Santos High School, Masscom (1991-93) and Business Entrepreneurship (1997) at UP where he was named an Outstanding Student in 1992, and a Film School in Continuing Education at the New York University in 1994.

As an actor, he has won awards from the Urian (four times), Star Awards, FAP (Film Academy of the Philippines), FAMAS and the Manila Film Festival.

As a sportsman, he has won the following awards (for fencing) at the SEA Games: A bronze in Thailand (1995), a bronze at the Thailand Open (1996), a gold (1997 Southeast Asian Fencing), two silvers in Jakarta (1997), two silvers in Malaysia (1999), a gold in Vietnam (2003), and a gold in Manila (2005); and also a silver in Germany (1997). He’s a five-time National Fencing Champion.

For Shotgun Shooting Sport, Goma participated in World Cups in Australia and Italy in 2003; and won a silver, trap-shooting team in Singapore (2003), fourth place at the SEA Games in Manila (2005), third place at the National Trap Shooting Championships (2005), national champion in the National Sporting Clays Championships (2005), and national champion in the National Open Team Combat Shotgun (2006).

He was a member of the Philippine National Team for Rowing, 1989-91; Philippine National Team for Fencing, 1992-2006; Philippine National Team for Shotgun, 2005; and Epee Team coach to the Qatar ASIAN Games, 2006.

His socio-civic record includes: Presidential Adviser on Youth and Sports Development, 1999-2001; National Chairman of MAD (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga), 1999-2002; one of Newsweek magazine’s Asia’s Trend Makers of 1998; Outstanding Bulakeño in 1998; member of the San Juan Jaycees; VP for Internal Affairs of the NMPP (Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino), 2005 to the present; vice chairman of PAFA (Philippine Amateur Fencing Association), 2002 to the present; president of SCAP (Sporting Clays Association of the Philippines), 2005 to the present; recipient of the Dangal ng Lahi award; Ulirang Apo awardee; Ginintuang Kabataan ng Bulacan awardee, 2007; and Congressional Senior Consultant and Adviser on Illegal Drugs and Narcotics, 2007.

His advocacy: Anti-drugs, youth and sports; promotion of the country’s cottage industry; and amending the 12 percent E-VAT Law.

What are your memorable experiences on the campaign trail?

"I’ve been to so many places that other candidates wouldn’t normally go to. Being on TV and in movies is a big help as far as recall and familiarity are concerned, pero iba pa rin talaga ‘yung they see you in person and they touch you and embrace you and kiss you. It means so much to them."

What were the considerably dangerous places that you visited?

"One of them was Sultan Kudarat. I think I’m the only senatorial candidate who went to Lamitan in Basilan."

How did you make up for missed meals?

"Missing meals can’t be avoided. If ever, delayed ang meals mo. But I try to make it a point that when during mealtime, I would take a break even if we were in the middle of nowhere. We’d stop under a tree and have a quick meal. Or we’d stop at a restaurant along the way and have a quick bite."

Don’t you bring any baon?

"I would carry junk food in a bag or foodstuff from Goldilocks. Or we’d buy food sold along the way."

How many pounds have you lost so far?

"I’m back to my usual weight, 190 lbs. (he stands 6’2")."

Campaigning felt like working out, doesn’t it?

"Yes. It’s just too hot, unbearably hot."

What sort of workout do you usually do?

"Biking."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My legs. They are very strong."

What part do you think needs some improvement?

"Wala na siguro. I’m happy with my body. I’m okay as I am."

And what part is most vulnerable?

"When I’m under the sun for a long time and when I miss meals, I get a headache."

What part of Lucy’s body is your favorite?

"Her legs."

Are you taking any medication?

"No, I’m not. But I do when I get a headache."

How often do you see your doctor?

"Only when needed."

But you’re not a hypochondriac like Lucy, are you?

"No, I’m not. I’m her opposite."

And your dentist?

"Every four to six months."

What’s your normal diet?

"I eat everything in moderation."

What’s usually for breakfast?

"Filipino breakfast, longganisa with fried rice, etc. Lucy and I are early-risers. By 7 o’clock, we are on our way to work, Lucy to hers and I to mine."

These days, how much sleep do you get?

"Six hours at most, which is the amount of sleep I normally get."

Do you take vitamins, minerals and/or supplements?

"Vitamin C."

How much water do you take every day?

"As many as 10 bottles a day."

What about juices?

"Seldom, if ever. I’m a water person."

No soda?

"Rarely. If ever, mga ‘light’ lang."

Hard drinks?

"No hard drinks for me."

Coffee or tea?

"Tea. Green tea."

You don’t smoke, do you?

"No, I don’t."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"I pray and I thank the Lord for whatever blessings I receive during the day."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"I brush my teeth."

Who wakes up first, you or Lucy?

"Me. It’s always me. Then I wake her up."

What do you do to relax?

"I take naps in the car."

And how do you cope with stress?

"I get a massage at home at least twice a week."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"Lucy and I go to nearby provinces, together with Juliana. Or we watch a movie."

Any favorite city?

"Around the country, there are many. Dumaguete is nice, and so is Zamboanga. Abroad, I like Nagoya (Japan)."

Do you have a nightlife?

"I rarely, if ever, go out. My nightlife is confined to our home and I spend it with Lucy and Juliana."

Aside from fencing, do you have other favorite sports?

"Only fencing. Is it any wonder that I’ve won so many medals in fencing?"

Do you apply anything on your skin?

"Only a little lotion. I apply a vitamin-C formula on my skin before going to bed."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m an optimist. Why look at the dark side when you can see the bright side? Why dwell on the negative when you can concentrate on the positive? I don’t even worry too much even if I have problems, but I do face problems head-on. I try to solve them; I don’t run away from them."

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])