Ian Veneracion simply enjoys a ‘beautiful’ life and how!

“Beautiful.”

That’s how Ian Veneracion described his life. At 49, he remains one of the most handsome men in the local entertainment scene, and those who belong to Generation X have probably seen him in his childhood years as the cute little boy in his first television acting stint, “Joey and Son.”

Growing up, Ian wasn’t aware of his good looks. He just knew that he had a different skin color which often led many people to ask him if his father was American.

“Weird, pero lagi kong sinasabi na hindi, Filipino ako,” began Ian when he made a guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”

“I’m turning 50 (years old) next year, and I’m excited about the next phase of life when I have an apo, or sana plural, apos. It’s exciting because I have never been there,” offered Ian.

It cannot be denied that the actor-singer has become more attractive and popular in this day and age with a lot of women swooning over him every time he goes on stage.

“My fans are also maturing. You know, I am always being teased that my market are the Titas and the Lolas, and I’m really proud to have my army of Titas and Lolas behind me. At sinasabi ko na sila nga ‘yung discerning ones. I’m really proud of them.”

However, Ian was the first to admit that he’s not comfortable showing some skin despite being in showbiz for many years now

“I’m not conscious of my body but also, I am super not comfortable showing skin like taking my shirt off. I am really not comfortable.”

It will no longer come as a surprise for someone as good-looking as Ian to receive an indecent proposal but the actor said there was none. But if ever there is, he would politely turn it down.

“Directly, no. Hindi diretso. Mga pahapyaw siguro pero directly wala. Kung sakali man, I would appreciate the honesty. I would say, ‘Thank you for being straightforward, but no.’

“Kumbaga, I’m not selling that service.”

You do a lot of things – you paint, you play the guitar,

At this point in his career, the actor feels lucky to have the option whether to accept or turn down a project.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I can say no not because I have that much.

“Baligtad (kasi), when I reached the age of 35 or 40, I started subtracting. Before that, it was all addition. You want more cars, you want more clothes, parang (puro) more, more, more. So, when I got to about 40 (years old), I had to do subtraction. Bawas kaibigan, pipiliin ko lang mga ‘yung kaibigan.

“Bawas damit, bawas luho, bawas lahat so I can arrive at this position and I can say, ‘No, I don’t want to do that. I want to do this.

“Hindi magastos na lifestyle, and finding the beauty of the mundane and simple things. I’ve made that my mantra,” he added.

Get to know more about Ian through our exclusive one-on-one interview. Below are excerpts.

Ian's 'bonding ride' to the Cordilleras with his youngest, Duccio Veneracion.

What’s the bad thing about being good-looking?

“I have no idea. Here’s the trap — the trap of vanity and narcissism. When you always want to look this way or that way and then you start to believe that you’re special, I think that’s the start of your downward spiral. But, of course, it’s also a blessing because you get to have more work because of how you look and I’m thankful for that.”

Do you have a regimen or a skincare routine? I’m sure a lot of people would be interested in what soap or perfume you use.

“None. I am often being scolded by my wife kasi kung ano-ano ang binibili n’ya na pang-makeup remover, pero ilang months na hindi nababawasan kasi kung ano ‘yung abutan ko na bar of soap na pang kamay or kung ano ang abutan ko, ‘yun ang ginagamit ko. Sanay ako sa bundok, sanay ako sa camping. I love the outdoors so hindi ako masyadong maselan.”

You do a lot of things – you paint, you play the guitar, you go fishing, you sail, you cook, you bake. What don’t you do?

“I don’t dance. I’m so uptight about that. I don’t know but I think I can move properly because I’ve been doing martial arts since I was a kid so my coordination is okay.”

What’s the best compliment you’ve received?

“Apir (read: high five) from Tito Joel Torre after doing a scene.”

What’s the best thing about being a father?

“My kids.”

What’s the best thing about having a non-showbiz partner?

“The privacy.”