Body Talk with a Bulldog

Six-footer Joshua Angelo ‘Gelo’ Alolino plays point guard in National University’s Bulldogs team which emerged champion in the recent 77th UAAP. He’s known as Mr. Clutch (for whatever reason).

The Bulldogs are on a roll — for a good reason.

After a 60-year drought when the National University basketball team was dismissed as kulelat (tail-ender), it regained supremacy by emerging champion at the recently-concluded UAAP (final game was against the FEU Tamaraws). For once, the legendary Ateneo-La Salle rivalry was relegated to the sidelines.

One of the proudest Bulldogs is six-footer Joshua Angelo “Gelo” Alolino, point guard, who is a Banking & Finance senior. He’s known as Mr. Clutch (for whatever reason).

“Personally, I consider the victory as an early birthday gift to me,” said Gelo who is turning 21 on Jan. 4, 2015 (Capricorn). He’s one of Bulldog’s big scorers (15 during the finals), never mind if the Most Valuable Player (finals) honor went to his import teammate Alfred Aruga (the season’s MVP is Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena). “Okey lang,” added Gelo. “What’s important is that our team was champion.”

Before transferring to National University, Gelo played at the NCAA for Altas, the team from Perpetual College (Las Piñas) when he was in high school. He has been with Bulldogs since he was a freshman.

“My dad started training me when I was four years old,” said Gelo. (His father, Carlo Alolino, was a varsity player in high school. He’s now assistant coach of the Altas.) “He’s also tall (5’9”).” Gelo is the eldest of three children and the only one who plays basketball.

How do you keep yourself in tip-top shape?

“Discipline. Constant practice. Eating the right food. Getting enough sleep. But these days, I feel wasted because we’ve been guesting in TV shows, kaya kung minsan two hours lang ang tulog ko.”

Are you interested in showbiz?

“If given a chance, why not? Sir Bill (Velasco) asked me if I was ready to join showbiz when we appeared as guest on his show Hardball. Natawa lang ako.” (They say that the erratic showbiz schedule can take a toll on a player, no wonder the hard-court performance of some of those who cross the line to showbiz oftentimes suffers.) “I will stick to basketball. Besides, I’m not sure if I can act.”

How’s your diet?

“I eat anything, I eat a lot, especially after a game. But I burn calories sa practice. I’m stocky, malaki na mabigat, so I have to keep a certain weight (181 lbs. when he last weighed).”

Favorite food?

“Kare-kare. Mahilig ako sa gulay.”

Snacks?

“Chichiria…while watching a game or movies.”

Vitamins that you’re taking?

“Multi-vitamins.”

How much water do you take per day?

“A lot! Palagi akong may baong bottled water to hydrate myself.”

What workout do you do?

“I do core exercises at the gym. I follow the program prepared for our team.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“My legs kasi in basketball you always suffer from pulled hamstring. Also, my lower back kasi d’yan din ako madalas magka-injury.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“My eyes. Sabi nila malalim daw ako tumingin. Expressive daw ang eyes ko.”

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

“Her feet and her armpit. I’m attracted to a girl with a clean armpit, ‘yung maputi ang kili-kili, at malinis ang mga paa.”

You have flawless complexion; puede kang endorser ng Belo Clinic. How do you take care of your skin?

“People have been asking me if I go to Dr. Belo’s clinic, pero hindi talaga. Ligo lang talaga.

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Usually, eight hours.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Boxers, without underwear. During the UAAP season, I slept at the dorm with my teammates. I would go home only on weekends.”

Do you snore?

“Kapag sobrang pagod lang…sabi ng teammates ko.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“No, I don’t.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“No, I don’t.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Tingin sa celfone. Pray. I’m God-fearing.”

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“Pee.”

When did you lose your innocence?

“When I was in high school. I was 15. Siempre, at that time, I started being curious.”

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

“Ka-edad ko po.”

Lights on or lights off?

“Lights off.”

How’s your love life?

“No girlfriend. Focus muna sa games.”

How’s your sex life?

“Hmmmm, ano ba…okey lang…satisfactory.”

And your night life?

“Occasionally lang po, with my teammates. But during the season, my night life is zero.”

How do you cope with stress?

“Full-body massage. I watch movies. I play video games.”

Outlook in life?

“I think positive.”

Three women that you think have nice bodies.

“Anne Curtis, Coleen Garcia and Jessy Mendiola. But my No. 1 crush is Coleen. Anne was with our team when we won. Ang puti pala n’ya in person!”

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

“First, I look at her. If she looks back, kapag nagkatinginan na kayo, smile-smile.”

(Gelo Alolino is managed by Edgar Mangahas, who co-produces indie films. For inquiries, call 0917-8000300 or e-mail at [email protected])

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