Alden sets his own limits

MANILA, Philippines - Alden Richards can count on his fingers the remaining number of days he can still pump some iron at the gym and get his muscle size on the rise in preparation for the Cosmo Bachelor Bash happening on Sept. 24 at the World Trade Center. Alden is hoping to achieve a toned body that could make girls, gays and, well, even some guys, swoon in admiration. “So far, I already lost seven pounds,” said Alden during the recent pocket interview held at the 17th floor of GMA Network building.

Last year, the 21-year-old Kapuso was among the male celebrities in the Cosmo mag’s Top 10 Centerfolds who walked on the ramp in stunning form and physique. This time, Alden is set to draw more resounding ohhs and ahhs from the crowd as he graces the cover of Cosmo Men after being hailed one of this year’s hottest 69 Cosmo Bachelors. The magazine’s special issue has two stars on different cover pages. Tom Rodriguez, another Kapuso artist, is on the other cover.

“Being in the cover all the more makes the expectations high so this time, it would be more exciting and less clothing,” Alden quipped. But no skimpy trunks, please, Alden seemed to plead.

He wanted to make it clear that being part of the Cosmo event is not synonymous to saying that he’s all ready to plunge into sexy roles. Not yet, not now because “I can still see myself fit to do wholesome roles. Probably, when the time comes that I feel my career is heading to that direction (sexy) then why not.”

These days, GMA has been packaging Alden in an image that is wholesome and appealing to the young generation. Though not a single line in his signed contract agreement with the Kapuso network prohibits him from wearing trunks, it is his own decision not to wear one in any event onstage.

“Not yet at this point in my career,” confirmed Alden. “I’m protecting the wholesome image I project onscreen because what if I suddenly swing to sexy image? People might find it a turn-off or they might wonder, ‘Ay bakit biglang naging ganun na s’ya?’ Although di ko pa na-try but as of now I am not yet ready for it.”

Prepping up his body for the Cosmo night is what Alden is bent on doing nowadays. He follows to the letter the list of dos and don’ts his trainer has given him. “I always keep in mind not to starve myself because according to my trainer, the hungrier you get, the more foods appeal to you. So, I eat every three hours — fruits, nuts and sandwiches — aside from the usual meals but without rice.” He has refrained from eating the Pinoy staple food for the past two months. “But after the event pwede na ulit mag-rice because it’s really hard to resist rice especially with my favorite viands like binagoongan, adobo and bopis.”

And now that his primetime soap Mundo Mo’y Akin with perennial screen partner Louise delos Reyes had just wrapped up, televiewers will have to content themselves watching Alden in Sunday All Stars. “I was told that my next TV project would probably start in November but still, I’m not sure if this is going to be with Marian Rivera and what its concept is all about. In the big screen, I will be seen in 10,000 Hours with Robin Padilla as an entry to the Metro Manila Filmfest in December.”

Aside from his dream co-star Marian, Alden also wished to be paired with Lauren Young, Mylene Dizon or Alessandra de Rossi in a drama series. “I’m sure Louise also wants to be paired with another actor because we’ve been partners in several TV projects for many times already. Maganda din kung iba naman.”

He, too, is looking forward to be working again with Barbie Forteza. Alden once worked with her in one of the episodes of Maynila. “Okey yung si Madam (referring to Barbie) magaling umarte and I think we have a good chemistry onscreen.”

Oops, don’t get him wrong. Alden doesn’t see himself falling for the 16-year-old Kapuso actress. “I prefer older women,” he revealed.

Besides, falling in love is the least of his priorities. Until now, Alden remains loveless. “I’m on the right track at this point of my career and I feel somehow, that having a (romantic) relationship is a (source of) distraction. I’m fine with meeting girls but I’m not ready for a commitment yet other than work, family and God.”

When it comes to work, Alden exerts an extra effort in his every role to the point of finding time to learn the technical details of the show. “Aside from giving the right emotion to the role, an actor must also learn to be technical. So during free time, I check the camera set-up, the lightings on the set para alam ko na kung saan ang proper blocking importante din kasi yun.”

How does he assess his being an actor?

“I’ve been in showbiz for only three years and I feel that I still have so much to learn in terms of acting; kumbaga kulang pa. Some say that I’ve improved a lot but I don’t want to be that confident because I treat my every project as my last. I give my best in every show that I do.”

Asked if his dad is trying to restrain his freedom now that he’s already 21, Alden replied in the negative and further claimed, “Actually, my dad has never been too strict even when I started working for TV commercials before. He doesn’t meddle in my affairs — saan ako pupunta or even in the financial aspect — he gives me the freedom to decide. It’s up to me how to make the most out of that freedom but I don’t take advantage of it. I know my limits.”