Tony Hadley: I'll try anything once

Towering at 6’4, Tony Hadley still carries the boyish smile and baby pink complexion he had in the glory days of the “New Romantics” Era which was over 20 years ago. I was expecting him to be grumpy after being delayed for two hours and flying nonstop from Europe for over 12 hours but to my surprise, he was friendly and accommodating despite the jet lag.

We checked into the new A Venue Suites Hotel in Makati Ave. and Tony freshened up for the press conference and interviews. At dinnertime, I got to know Tony’s little secrets. I found out that he loves adventure and has trekked the jungles of South America and eaten live worms dug up from the ground. “I will try anything once,” Tony quips. Therefore, we decided to bring him to Cabalen in Glorietta where the buffet spotlights on Kapampangan delicacies like camaru (fried locust), sisig, kuhol, crablets, burong isda and the like. To my amazement, he liked the camaru which I have never tasted in my life. The crablets he munched with gusto and the kuhol, he picked the meat Filipino style with a toothpick. Over kare kare and sisig, I found out from Tony that he comes from a very tall family. His eldest son who is in his mid-20s is 6’6” and his daughter is 5’10.” He has his suits tailor made in Hong Kong by the famous SAM Tailor and air-shipped to London. His favorite designer is Hugo Boss. He recently appeared on the broadway run of Chicago and has released an album of old standards backed up with a big band. He loves Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones. He dreams of a Spandau Ballet reunion but based on the current situation between him and Gary Kemp whom he hasn’t spoken to in 10 years, the possibility is slim.

Tony and manager John Glover love to drink and try exotic food. They shared their misadventures with hot chillies, curries and throat burning alcoholic drinks. We dared him to try lambanog so off we went to Hard Rock Café. Hard Rock GM Ceso Calison laid out to them different types of Philippine liquor. From Tanduay Rhum to chest hair-growing lambanog. After tasting all the drinks, Tony liked the potent lambanog and John loved the Tanduay Rhum. He commented he’d like to bring home a barrell if he could. Too bad there wasn’t any gin bulag around.

Tony together with Spandau drummer John Keeble plus his star-studded band will be performing at Clark Expo tonight and tomorrow night at Araneta Coliseum. Good seats are still available.

For details, call 911-5555 or visit any SM Mall.