Tips on beauty and fitness from Bianca Gonzalez

She literally stands out, being a tad taller than the average Pinay star at almost 5 feet 5 inches, and shines through with her perfect toothpaste commercial smile. Her combination of La Salle Zobel for high school and Ateneo for college provides her a witty edge for all her hosting chores in and out of television (ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother Uplate and Studio 23’s Y Speak Live and the recently launched entertainment show Blog). 

But what could be the advantage of Bianca Monica Gonzalez can also be her greatest disadvantage as the mass viewing public considers her an intellectual and sosyal.  In an effort to shake that perhaps, her answers were in the vernacular.   

She was one of the Final Four in the first celebrity edition of Pinoy Big Brother and shared a co-hosting job with Mariel Rodriguez on the recently concluded teen edition.  Turning the tables on Bianca, we let her speak her mind on life and fitness.

Philippine Star: They say that you were surprised you ended up in show business. How did you start?

Bianca Gonzalez: Hmm … okay, I’m 23 years old now. I started modeling when I was 17. I did a shampoo commercial for Pantene when I was in 1st year college.  When I was 21, I was working in production at ABS while modeling on the side. That time, I met Jet Valle who was doing PR work for Pink Soda. Pink Soda was looking for a new image model at the same time that I did this cover of a magazine. Jet saw me there, and he thought I was a good candidate. As if by fate, we bumped into each other at ABS. He was managing Drew Arellano. He asked, "I can’t believe you’re a writer, do you want to be on TV?" So basically, that’s how I started working on TV. He got me to be an image model of Pink Soda, and then hosting jobs.

Did you idolize anyone in show business as a career role model?

None in particular because I never thought I would land a job on TV. It was my dream to work in production but never on cam. I never dreamt to be a model, the opportunity just presented itself.   

How about a non-showbiz role model?

Well, my elder brother basically influenced why I entertained the thought of modeling and doing TV work.  He used to do commercials and hostings. 

You seem to be one of the busiest female TV celebrities today, what are your current projects?

I do the Pinoy Big Brother daily updates in Uplate. And then we both did the PBB eviction and nomination. I also do Y Speak, a youth-oriented debate show on Studio 23, and then just recently Close-Up To Fame, a Close-Up model search, once-a-week show, with Heart Evangelista. 

How do you cope with your tight schedule? You work throughout the week. Describe your typical working day.

Basically, ever since I left the PBB house, minus Holy Week, I wouldn’t say I’ve had a night of quality sleep. It’s a big, big adjustment. I used to work for a morning show, Magandang Umaga Pilipinas (MUP). I recently had to quit because of other engagements. For MUP, I had to wake up as early as 3 a.m. Now, I get home from Uplate at 3 a.m. still. That’s a big change. There was one week I tried doing both MUP and Uplate! I feel in time, my schedule will normalize and regularize, I am just now loaded with promos, too many adjustments. Interviews, guestings … so there it’s really crazy I hardly get to sleep, as in hardly. The energy of working and the energy of the people I work with keep me awake. But I am just happy working … 

Can you give us an idea of your daily diet? What do you have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks?

It really depends on where I am. Like now, I just had a muffin. I usually don’t have breakfast. Just coffee in the morning. That’s my staple. Coffee throughout the day and coffee in the morning. But for the rest of the day, I usually like a salad. I alternate that with sandwich and pasta. 

Did you ever have to go on a diet? And if ever you did, what works for you?

I really never had to go on a diet except before I did the campaign for Pink Soda. They asked me to go on a diet so that my bone structure will show.  The stylist for the shoot, Luis Espiritu (of this paper’s Allure section), advised me to take less carbs. Less bread, less rice, less potatoes. That worked for me.  

So, totally no carbs?

Not really. Just minimal. I cheat, like I put some rice on my last bite. Less oily food, no junk food. I don’t really make a conscious effort except that I really prefer chicken or fish to beef and pork. I will still eat beef or pork when that is the only thing around, but I really prefer chicken and fish.

Do you exercise regularly? Or do sports?

How I wish I regularly exercise! I can’t include it in my schedule right now. My elder brother warned me that I couldn’t go on like that for long. I can get away with it now because I am young, but as I grow older, I really need to exercise. 

What is your body part that you value most? What do you think is your asset?

I don’t know. Will you take my smile as an answer? I would say that genetically we are blessed with a small waist.  Even when we gain weight, my sister and brother included, our waist remains small. So we retain some curves due to a small waist even when we gain weight.

Which part of your body do you wish to improve?

Legs. I need to trim them down … no questions asked. There is no other wish … I need leaner legs. 

How do you deal with stress?

I like getting massages at least once a week.  

So, is that like your stress reliever?

It’s more like a treat to myself. I can say that I’m stressed, but I don’t really need a stress buster. When I see my friends, I feel relieved of any stress. When I go to work, I just really have fun! But of course sometimes it still feels like work. At the end of the day, I have so much fun so I don’t really feel the days when I’m so stressed. I love to take the usual out-of-town trips when I at least have an overnight free. That’s more to treat myself than to release stress. Oh, walking in the mall … I love it!

How do you take care of your skin? Any regimen? Tips?

No rituals. But I just had a facial. I put on moisturizer at night and before I put on makeup.

What makeup can you not do without?

Mascara and cheek tint.  

What will we find in your cosmetic kit?

I don’t have a cosmetic kit … but what you’ll find in my bag are my moisturizer and baby cologne.  I don’t carry a makeup kit unless I really need it.  

So, on an ordinary day you wouldn’t have makeup with you?

Yes, on an ordinary day, as much as possible, I don’t wear any makeup. But since I have to use makeup nearly every day because of my work, I wash it off right after work.  Or if I have a five-hour or six-hour break, I wash my face and put on makeup again. 

What colors do you like wearing?

I like natural colors … like gold, beige for the eyes … more on the pinkish side for cheeks and lips. For the eyes, usually light brown, light gold, white, whatever… 

Do you apply makeup by yourself or do you have a makeup artist?

I can do it myself. But usually, I have a makeup artist. 

How do you apply your makeup?

I take a long time with the foundation. Then I dab on some concealer. I top it with some loose powder for a natural effect. I put color on my lips and then eyes after that. 

What completes you?

What completes me? That is a tough one. Well, the most basic is my family and God.

* * *

  Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph