Hard habit to break

Bad habits start early. I remember my father regularly lecturing me never to lie down in the morning: during his own childhood, this was unthinkable. Being a very punctual person and a gentleman of refined appearance, he also always stressed the importance of being on time and looking your best. Perhaps being obstinate in nature, I continue to do everything as humanly possible in bed, up to the very last minute and looking my worst. It’s only now with age that I’m starting to think that I might be wrong. (Hell, it could’ve saved me a lot of money, heartache and a trail of wounded editors in my wake.)

If only I heeded my father’s words when I was seven years old lying on the living room floor reading horror comics before breakfast, I would be fitter, happier. (To his credit, he never wavered even when he caught me reading one of his books.)

We asked a few people from the scene about their worst habits and how they plan to break them. Curiously, as I’m typing this, my seven-year old nephew has come for a visit and he’s growling Linkin Park’s new single Breaking The Habit outside my door. (At least, that’s what I think it is.)

PATTY LAUREL, MTV VJ: "I always binge on chocolates. Once I’m deprived, I become really cranky. I intend to start a healthier lifestyle. Get more exercise."

KIDLAT DE GUIA, filmmaker: "I watch too much TV. I’m planning to have my cable subscription cut."

JACKIE AQUINO, vice-chairman of the MTRCB: "It’s hard for me to say ‘no’. I should learn to say ‘no’ – if it’s necessary to break that habit."

TOMMY HAFALLA, photographer: "Waiting for psychological pressure before working on projects. Well, it’s a common habit for artists and I don’t know what I can do without it."

ZACH LUCERO, NU 107.5 DJ: "Forgetting to cut my fingernails. Tuloy, after washing my ass same stuff gets wedged in between the nails. I’m still trying to figure it out."

JUGS, Itchyworms: "I have a sweet tooth but my dad’s a diabetic. I plan to use sugar substitutes."

MINCO FABREGAS, Pinwheel: "My worst habit is drinking and smoking. I guess through faith I can break these bad habits."

RENMIN NADELA, Agaw Agimat: "Matulog ng 11 hours a day. To break that habit I asked my wife to nag me not to sleep so much."

ATOM HENARES, NU 107.5: "Saying ‘yes’ too many times to many lewd and kinky requests from women. I plan to satisfy only every 5th request from now on!"

BENSON TANOJA, Stonefree: "Smoking. How to break it? No plans in the near future."

CHINO SINGSON, Itchy-worms: "Eating too much. How to stop it is by exercising and self-control."

XANDER ANGELES, photo-grapher: "I’m bad with names. Have to practice name tagging mentally."

NIKKI VALDEZ, actress: Being an impulsive buyer. Don’t know how to stop it."

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Linkin Park will be performing live in Manila on June. 15 at the CCP Open Grounds, presented by Smart Buddy, No Curfew Watch Stores and Jag Jeans in cooperation with Frenzy, Petron Treats, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Citizen Eco-Drive Watches; and in part by Pony Footwear, Kenny Rogers Roasters, DHL, Thai Airways, East-West Productions, The Westin Philippine Plaza, Warner Music Philippines and MTV.

Call Ticketworld at 891-9999 Music One and Tower Records for tickets.

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No Gweilo’s Hour tonight so instead we invite everyone to go see the premiere of the short film Puey at the Mowelfund Film Institute in Cubao (near Boston Gallery). Directed by fashion designer Yvonne Quisumbing, it’s a little sinister story about first love and last rites. Screening starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

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Send comments and reactions to: erwin_romulo@hotmail.com.