Fabulous Fabio

Some are of the opinion that priority should be given to Filipino models when it comes to projects. It seems like commercial modeling was primed by the surprise hit of Mexican telenovelas (soaps) 10 years or so ago. In the last five years, we started seeing more and more  ad campaigns using Brazilians. And since “halfies” (half-Filipino and half foreign) celebrities are also very popular in showbiz, it is very difficult to say who has and who doesn’t have Filipino blood.

I remember Marc Nelson, who doesn’t have a trace of Filipino in him and yet has called the Philippines home, saying that he is a citizen of the world. In the end, we all are as the global community further shrinks because of technological advances in communication and travel. 

Fabio Ide, best remembered in the Enervon commercial with Iza Calzado where he uttered, “Akala ko text you (I thought you wanted me to text you)…” three years ago, the Brazilian-Japanese born in Sao Paulo to a Japanese father and a Brazilian-Spanish mother, is the current endorser of Oxygen for its Summer 2010 campaign together with Derek Ramsay. He likewise hosts GMA’s Comedy Bar on Saturdays, which was launched last week of April and has two movies showing (D’ Survivors and You To Me Are Everything).

In an interview, Fabio says, “I came over because my good friend Rocky Salumbides said that I have the look he believes Filipinos like. I arrived in 2006 for the first time and ended up being the first half-Japanese, half-Brazilian model in the country. I was also the first fly-in model of Mercator. We are just like all other talents. We audition and go to go-sees. It’s just work. And while there is work in Japan (where he stayed for a year after his 2007 TV commercial debut) and other countries, I love staying here.”

Fabio, who wants to try drama, might just get to this time as all three Brazilian-Japanese of Mercator (Fabio, Akihiro Sato and Daniel Matsunaga) are under exclusive contracts with GMA.

“I have been doing modeling for almost seven years already since my first trip to Hong Kong in 2004. Through modeling I was able to travel to so many different countries, I was able to explore many different cultures and languages. Since 2006 I have been coming here once a year for a three-month contract at least, but this time I decided to be here for good. Now I’m starting to do acting as well besides modeling and God has blessed me with many good projects here like TV shows and movies. I’m now studying Tagalog three times a week to improve my skills as an actor and I’m also engaged in singing and dancing classes. I’m really happy to be back in this wonderful and hot country called the Philippines and this time I don’t intend to leave soon,” adds Fabio.

Born Fabio Luis Ide, the six-foot model will turn 27 on Christmas day this year. He was in second year at Mackenzie University taking up Marketing when his sister asked him to join her in a go-see. The rest is history. Fabio obliges us with answers to questions probing the lifestyle that provides him a fabulous physique.

STAR: What were you involved in before modeling? How did you get discovered?

Fabio: Before I started modeling I was studying marketing and publicity at the Mackenzie University in Brazil. I was discovered through my sister who was invited to start doing modeling. Then she invited me to go with her and do a test shoot and since then I have never stopped. Unfortunately I had to leave my university.

Did you encounter any weight and fitness problems before? If yes, what did you do about it?

Before I used to play basketball for a club in Brazil so I really had to be fit even before I started modeling.

What part of your body do you like the most? Why?

I think my eyes cause they are very expressive.

Which part of your body do you think needs further improvement?

I think my legs because since I started working out I never worked out my legs so my upper body started to be stronger than my lower body.

What is your favorite gym exercise?

I like doing the chestpress and also running on the treadmill because it makes me forget about my problems in life.

Do you follow any strict diet?

I always avoid carbs after 6 p.m. because it is difficult to burn.

How much sleep do you get every day?

I always try to sleep at least eight hours a day but usually when I have a busy week I end up sleeping six hours a day.

Any vices?

I like to drink occasionally.

Any cheat days?

Sunday for me is the cheat day when I try to forget about gym and work.

What food cravings do you succumb to?

I crave burgers and steaks from time to time.

What is your current fitness goal?

Right now I am focusing on being toned and having more defined cuts.

What is your regular exercise and diet regimen?

I always like to work out a big and small muscle of my body every day like chest and triceps one day and then back and biceps another day. I try to do abs every day and also running twice a week. My only diet is to avoid eating carbs after 6 p.m.

Do you take supplements?

Nope. I just eat healthy.

What sports are you into?

I like to play soccer, basketball, boxing and surfing when I have time.

What physical benefits do you get from sport?

By practicing these sports I gain more endurance, speed, agility and flexibility.

How often do you practice?

Usually I practice football and boxing twice a week and surfing on the weekends.

Do you recruit your family and friends to join you? How do you convince them?

In Brazil people are very athletic and my father encouraged me to participate in sports and be athletic since I was a kid. Not just me but my sisters also play different sports so it is very easy to convince them.

How did participating in sports help you cope with different moments in life?

It made me learn how to never give up in life. Helped me to learn how to lose and how to win in the greatest moments of my life.

How do sports help you in your career?

For you to be a very good athletic person, you have to practice and train to be the best otherwise you will always be the second or the last one in the team. I’m a model so I confront competition every day in my life. Sports make me never give up for a job. I always keep practicing what ever I’m doing. I am determined to be the best and get the job.

What are you training for right now?

I am preparing myself for a boxing match at Gold’s. It is not a big competition but it is something that I want to be part of.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.