The Filipino Wrecking Machine

Curtain-raisers:

● Could it be true that ENPRESS (the movie writers’ group) might take back from Paulo Avelino (photo) the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (for Walang Hanggan) award given to him last weekend at the 2013 Golden Screen Awards? ENPRESS guys were offended when Paulo, unaware that the microphone was open, said, “Mahirap talaga magtrabaho pag pinipilit ka,” before he presented one of the major awards. Was Paulo slighted (irritated) since he was requested to be a presenter at the last minute? Wrong attitude, especially since he had just accepted his own trophy. Now, has success(?) gotten to Paulo’s head? That’s what some movie writers (and fans) are suspecting. Walang Hanggan was a big hit, all right, but Paulo wasn’t even the lead but only a supporting actor. Is it a case of too much too soon? Sayang!

● Blind corner: 1. A pretty “titled” TV reporter was spotted  “sweet and lovey-dovey” (as the Funfare DPA put it) with the scion of a wealthy family from the South on a domestic flight to Manila. It was even the guy who carried the lady’s bag. Those who know the lady are wondering if she was broken up with her basketball-player boyfriend and is now going steady with the rich guy. Abangan ang follow-up report…2. Funfare’s Halung-Halo Hula-Hula 2013 last January included an item about a young actress predicted to get pregnant before middle of the year. According to Funfare’s “stork” DPA, the prediction might come true in July. Ngayon pa lang, batiin na natin siya.

● Single-again Mons Romulo (minus-Tantoco, photo) is one of the current endorsers of Olay. In the commercial, Mons and the other endorsers Denise Laurel and Bea Alonzo) talk less about the magical wonders of Olay but how the product keeps their faces glowing in spite of the rough road they’ve been through. Mons’ story was reported in a front-page “scoop” by The STAR months ago. How does Mons look so cool and so composed and oh-so-all-aglow? Visit olaymonsromulo on the YouTube for the true story in Mons’ full interview with Boy Abunda.

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Did you know that Mark Kenery Muñoz, touted as “The Wrecking Machine,” is 100 percent Filipino and he’s proud to be one?

That is, even if Mark, who is arriving tomorrow for a three-day promo for UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) on ABS-CBN, is reported in the Internet as an American mixed martial artist noted for his “wrestling ability and relentless ground-and-pound,” ranked as of December last year as the No. 5 middleweight fighter in the world.

Born on Feb. 9, 1978, in Lake Forest, California, Mark is a six-footer weighing 186 lbs. with a record of 12 wins (six by knockout) and only three losses in 15 fights.

More about Mark in the following exclusive e-mail interview:

When and how did you start in martial arts? 

“I started wrestling at 13 years old and got into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) at 30.”  

Any do’s and don’t’s in keeping yourself in tip-top shape mention diet and workout)? 

“In order to stay in tip-top shape, you have to follow a good diet and find some time to lift weights and do any type of cardiovascular exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes three to four times a week. As far as the don’t’s are concerned, I would have to say stay away from processed foods, sugars, dairy and foods high saturated fat. Do eat as much vegetables as you can.”  

Are you really pure Filipino? 

“I’m 100 percent Filipino. My father is from Pasay City and my mother is from Sta. Ana, Manila.”  

Any Filipino martial arts that you know (arnis de mano, etc.)? 

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get into any Filipino martial arts but would love to learn someday.”  

Is it advisable for women to take martial arts lessons (judo, karate, etc.) as self-defense? 

“Yes, it is great for women to learn martial arts. Martial arts can be very useful for women in a lot of situations.”  

Manskee with his guitar

What preparations does one need to do before going into martial arts (medical exam, height and weight requirement, etc.)? 

“Preparation is the key to pretty much everything. In order to compete in MMA, one has to train two to three times a day. We have to also get our blood drawn, get a physical and undergo an MRI or MRA to make sure that our brain is functioning correctly.”

The latest from Manskee

Remember Manskee (Manuel Nascimento) who was featured in this corner in the recent past with his compositions seen mostly on the YouTube and his Twitter?  

Manskee is almost done with his second album titled Caught In The Tide with producer Pat Tirano (who has been behind bands like Spongecola and Pupil) and has just finished the shoot for his Sea Of Stars music video directed by Jako de Leon. The video features Bogart The Explorer and the who’s-who in local stoke/surfing like Paolo Soler, Luke Landrigan and Lorraine Hilario.

Manskee has also appeared in a commercial (his first) directed by Brillante Mendoza. (Interested? Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_tzfLn8dY.)

“My dream is to help uplift the Pinoy music industry,” said Manskee (whose late mom, Lilian Margarejo, was a campus beauty during her college days at UE), “and to inspire other aspiring artists to believe in their own craft.”

Manskee’s Facebook Music page: www.facebook.com/Manskee.

Watch him.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)