Body Talk with Vincent Bueno

The name Vincent Bueno doesn’t ring a bell yet but it soon will, certainly. The guy, pure Filipino, is the grand winner of Austria’s national talent search Musical The Show on the TV Channel ORF in 2008, which was based on theater musicals. Among his prizes were 50,000 euros.

“It was Tita Marie (Gutierrez, a talent scout/manager) who brought me here,” said Vincent who speaks fluent (unaccented) Tagalog. “A video clip of my winning performance was uploaded on the YouTube. ANC went to Europe and did a report on me. That’s how Tita Marie saw me. Thousands auditioned all over Austria but only three of us made it to the finals. I was the only Filipino, the only Asian in the contest. The show ran for 10 rounds which were hardcore training for us. But it was a worthwhile experience.”

Vincent studied music at the Conservatory of Vienna for four years. His forte is classical musical theater, although he’s just as good with R&B songs. His winning piece was Music of the Night (from The Phantom of the Opera). You must have seen him on the ABS-CBN Sunday show ASAP XV a few weeks ago, singing a duet of Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are with Gary Valenciano. He’s now preparing an album for Star Records. He’s managed by Arnold Vegafria.

Turning 22 on Dec. 8 (Sagittarius), Vincent was born and raised in Austria to both Filipino parents who met and got married in Vienna. His dad, Antonio Bueno, is a musician, a member of several bands (one of them Headliners) that performed Asia and the US; and his mom is a nurse.

He stands 5’6”; weighs 132 lbs.; and wears small-size shirt, medium-size briefs and size-40-cms. shoes.

You sing and dance. How do you keep fit?

“Eat healthy. Masarap ang Filipino food so we have to watch what we eat. More fish and very little sawsawan. I rehearse daily and that’s how I burn lots of energy. Dancing is my workout.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch, dinner?

“Rice with pritong bangus which was my breakfast today, with ripe mangoes. For lunch, any Filipino food na hindi masyadong mataba. I love chicken. I take more than three meals a day, small meals.”

How much water do you take per day?

“More than three liters.”

Favorite fruit?

“Mango.”

Favorite vegetable?

“Okra.”

Aside from dancing, what other workout do you do?

“I exercise in the gym.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“I’m happy with every part of my body, although I wish I were a bit taller. But I have accepted with what I have.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My heart.”

You seem to be hyperactive.

“Yes, I am. I have so much energy to burn. Sometimes, when I think about a project or a gig, one month before that hindi na ako makatulog thinking about it.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“I can’t think of any, but people say that it’s my eyes. They are naughty daw.”

How old were you when you lost your innocence?

“I was 13.”

To an older woman, a younger woman or a woman your age?

“She was a year older than me. We were kids then. I’m the sort of guy who wants to try things early.”

What part of a girl’s body do you notice first?

“The whole package, especially her eyes.”

And what kind of girls turns you off?

“Girls who are beautiful outside but ugly inside --- you know, those who don’t have values.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“I try to sleep for eight hours but what I get is less than that. You know why? Ideas come to my mind at night, so I have to get up and write music. I usually record my ideas.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“Boxers. Sometimes, I wear sando and sometimes, none.”

With the air-con turned on full blast?

“Only with the fan turned on. I feel cold easily.”

Do you snore?

“I don’t think I do.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“When fast asleep, I don’t hear myself talk, if I ever do.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“I hope not!”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Two. One under my head and one I hug.”

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

“Pray. For what? I just thank God.”

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

“Pray again. I thank God for giving me a brand-new day.”

What’s your outlook in life…are you an optimist, a pessimist or a worrier?

“I was a worrier in Europe. I was depressed. Why? I don’t know. Maybe because I feel older than I am. Hahahaha!”

How’s your nightlife?

“In Europe, I party hard. But here, hardly. I don’t have that many friends yet. I’ve been here for only four months. It’s my first visit here.”

How’s your love life?

“I’m single….since last year.”

Favorite hideaway?

“I’m a nature-tripper. It could be out of town or just in a park with lots of trees.”

Favorite city?

“Vienna.”

Name three women you think have nice bodies?

“Jessica Alba. Kim Chiu. I think Sarah Geronimo has a nice body but it’s hidden.”

Name three men that you think know how to take care of their bodies the way you do.

“I don’t usually pay attention to men but, yes, I can name only two, Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual.”

Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?

“I just give her meaningful glances.”

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