Aljur feeling like an OFW

MANILA, Philippines - Aljur Abrenica feels like an OFW these days. He has been tapped along with other Kapuso stars to headline GMA Pinoy TV events overseas.

“Most of the time, I’m assigned abroad,” says Aljur of what keeps him busy these days during Shinagawa’s first anniversary event which he graced recently. “Yes, I feel like an OFW. I can speak some Japanese words. My last trip was in Japan. My first assignment was in the States. My next trip is either to Canada or Australia. On TV, I’m also appearing in Party Pilipinas.”

Last month, Aljur and Rhian Ramos topbilled Moving On in Tokyo. In June, he was with Iza Calzado, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras in New Jersey for the Philippine-American Friendship Day at the 21st PAFCOM Grand Parade and Festival.

His stints abroad have given Aljur the opportunity to perform before our kababayan who miss anything Pinoy from food to music. These trips seem to be the needed balm to recharge Aljur for his next showbiz work.

Asked what happened to his Panday project with Rhian, Aljur replies, “It didn’t push through because there was a conflict with my schedule. I went to the States for a show. I was pulled out from the cast. However, there are rumors circulating around that some projects are lined up for me. I think I’ll be doing romance, action and drama.”

Aljur is in a wait-and-see mode. After all, it’s better to do things at the right time. As much as he wants to do a follow-up project immediately right after Machete, Aljur would rather not rush things and then feel sorry for the result.

As he mentioned in previous interviews, Aljur goes to the gym to make himself fit and healthy. He is a no-frills kind of guy. “I take a bath. I wash my face and use toner,” he shares.

Aljur couldn’t deny the fact that skin care is a must to celebrities like him. The face and the skin are what fans notice first.

That’s why stars go to beauty clinics to make them look fresh and to be at their best. Example is Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetics Center. It offers Intralasik eye surgery, Titan XL, Laser Genesis, Fractional Laser and Candela (Dehairing). Janice de Belen, Ariel Rivera and Krista Kleiner tried its Lasik procedure. Yasmien Kurdi and Raymond Gutierrez had their initial eye screening. Pops Fernandez, Ara Mina, Alice Dixson, Vivian Velez, Andrea del Rosario, Sunshine Cruz, Francine Prieto, John Estrada, Priscilla Meirelles, Rita Avila, Ate Glow, Jay-R and Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez have availed of Shinagawa’s aesthetic services.

Where is Aljur’s career going?

“I think I’m in the experimentation stage where I am paired with other female stars,” he answers. “I want to work with Marian Rivera, Carla Abellana, Kylie Padilla and Sam Pinto, to name a few. I look forward to more projects. And I also want to explore other acting genres. Ever since, I’ve always wanted to do action. As for my recording career, they are fixing the schedule and looking for selections. That album is still pop-rock.”

(The Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetics Center is located at the Mezzanine, Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, Ayala Ave. cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. For details, call 491-0000 and 846-3197 or log on to www.shinagawa.ph.)