The scents & sensibility of Richard Gomez

I’ve known Richard Gomez – Goma to friends – even before that classic Bench TV ad that had him rowing across a lake in that tiny boat. Ask anyone – it’s an ad that has gone down in history, just like Richard will. He’s such a mover and a shaker, a trendsetter. Remember when he sported that skinhead look and every single male in the entire Philippines shaved their heads, thinking they could look like Richard?

So it’s a rare treat when I get to see Richard not wearing his usual Bench fashion get-up but instead all dressed up to score points. I’ve known him as a fencing champion, a golfer, a great badminton and basketball player, but I’ve never really seen him look like this. He really has the looks of a winner!

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, as they say, but it’s not just Richard’s fashion style that gets noticed and copied, as we all know. Goma is also famous for popularizing several exotic sports, like fencing, in the Philippines. This guy was already very sports-minded even before he entered showbiz. Richard was already competing in fencing competitions and playing badminton when I was still focused on mastering jackstones (but now, we get to play badminton together sometimes; I don’t think he has time to indulge me in a game of jackstones).

Having retired from fencing almost a year ago, Goma’s newest passions are fishing and shooting. I couldn’t believe it when he said he considers shooting a "retirement" sport. "That’s because it doesn’t require heavy physical activity, unlike golf and fencing," he points out. Far from thinking about retiring, he has already won several medals in shotgun competitions in the country and Singapore and he’s out to score more.

But when it comes to fishing, that’s when his more relaxed side comes out. "Fishing brings me closer to nature, especially the sea," he says, his looks enhanced by his smile. For the best fishing, he goes to Batanes, where the isolation of the place allows him more freedom. The clean environment makes his senses sharper; the smell of the ocean is stronger and fresher. Whatever, Goma!

After almost 70 movies and TV shows, seven acting awards, tons of medals from all the competitions he’s joined, what new trend might Richard be setting now? Hot on the heels of fragrances by Hollywood celebrities, Bench has come up with a set of three men’s perfumes that perfectly capture Richard’s persona. You could say it’s Richard Gomez in a bottle!

Named Conquer, Refresh and Recharge, each scent represents certain aspects of Goma’s lifestyle and outlook. "‘Conquer’ is all about winning," Richard points out. "It represents my competitive side – in acting, in sports, in life, where I always want to excel." As the signature scent, its strong masculine notes evoke Richard’s strong personality and solid background in acting.

On the other hand, Recharge’s energizing scent captures the actor/athlete’s stamina, onscreen and in the arena. The woodsy smell reflects the actor’s love for nature and is like the smell of grass after a rain shower.

The subtle fragrances of Refresh give off a relaxing smell and best match his time spent with Lucy and Juliana, his two greatest treasures, or indulging in his hobby of fishing. "It’s having that fresh-from-the-shower feeling," he says with a grin. "That’s one of the smells I love the most – on Lucy, on Juliana."

When it comes to these two ladies, Goma’s eyes turn bright and he indulges me with stories about his six-year- old unica hija. "I always like Juliana’s smell of milk and baby powder," says the proud daddy. "Iba talaga ang amoy ng baby, ano?" Sorry, Goma, I really can’t relate, but I know what you mean! On the other hand, Lucy loves the scent of Richard’s perfume that lingers in their room long after he has left the house.

Asked what his favorite smells are, he rattles off a bunch: "Coffee in the morning, Juliana and Lucy when they’ve just taken a bath, the lotion that Lucy puts on, the scent of colognes or perfumes that stay on the skin the whole day."

He also reveals that Lucy also came out with her own fragrances from Bench named Love, Remember and Forever (the official launch, "Love & Conquer: Made for Each Other," will be on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall; and on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Activity Center, Glorietta, both at 6 p.m.). Like his scents, Lucy’s own fragrance reflects her taste and personality but is more romantic. And being the husband, Richard is excited as well. This line of fragrances reflecting Richard and Lucy is made by each other, for each other.

These two fragrances reflect all their years of being together, all their shared moments in life. "Twenty or 30 years from now, I want people to remember Lucy and me as a happy couple, a simple family," he says.

Yes, Goma. We will remember you any way you want.

Your name: Richard I. Gomez

Your chief characteristic: I’m strong-willed and very determined to be successful in all my endeavors.

Your favorite qualities in a woman: She must be warm, jolly, witty and loving.

Your favorite qualities in friends: They give me constructive criticism. I accept what they say, without taking anything personally, because I constantly want to improve.

Your biggest flaw: I speak my mind and I’m very opinionated.

Your favorite occupation: Acting. It is one of the best jobs in the world. Some people would kill to have our job. (Ha-ha!)

Your idea of happiness: Being with my family every day.

Your idea of misery: Is having a family and not spending time with them.

If not yourself, who would you be? JFK, Bono of U2, Thomas Edison, Mark Spitz.

Where would you like to live? In a big house by the beach.

Your favorite color and flower: Blue and yellow; orchids.

Your favorite heroes in fiction: Superman.

Your favorite composers: Rey Valera, Ogie Alcasid, Joey de Leon, and the Beatles.

Your favorite painters: H.R. Ocampo, R.M. de Leon, Keith Haring, Alexander Calder.

Your favorite heroes in real life: My wife.

Your favorite heroines in history: joan of Arc.

Your favorite names: Names?!?

Your pet peeves: People with too many hang-ups, lazy non-achievers.

How would you like to die? Sleeping.

What is your present state of mind? Wanting to help uplift the quality of life of the poor in our country.

For what fault have you the most tolerance? Ignorance.

Your favorite motto: "Do it well and do it good – real good!" "Be true to oneself."

Your favorite style combination: Blue jeans, white cotton shirt and rubber shoes.

You can never be seen without: A watch.

You never eat: Salad without dressing.

Your favorite duo or partnership: Cheech and Chong, salt and pepper, rod and reel, track and field.

The best thing to eat on a rainy day: Steamed clams in garlic and white wine with toasted baguette.

The best place and person to be with on the last day of the year: at home with my family.

You always start the day with: a smile.

What do you always like to do with Lucy? love, travel and eat.

Things you think are made for each other (name at least three): Wine and cheese, tables and chairs, Lucy and me. – Based on The Marcel Proust Questionnaire