MANILA, Philippines - Clothing line Bum has made sure that the new face on their billboards and in their print ads embodies the brand’s youthful image. Good-looking Dino Imperial fits right in the mix. For the cocky young gun who has recently inked a contract as one of Bum’s endorsers, making a pitch isn’t exactly a new venture for Dino — he has appeared in a PLDT commercial and has done a bunch of other ad campaigns since he was 11 years old.
“That paved the way for a career in showbiz,” he remarks. “In fact, my exposure to making TV commercials has made my shift to showbiz a lot easier. My experience as a commercial model has boosted my confidence and developed my acting abilities — because making a commercial is much like making a movie: you have to portray a lot of different characters.”
Dino continues to hone his acting chops and other on-cam skills by appearing in the “Boystown” episode of Your Song. Earlier, his acting mettle was also tested when he joined the cast of Kapamilya’s first afternoon teledrama, Prinsesa ng Banyera, with no less than Kristine Hermosa, of course. These days, he also doubles as a VJ jock for Studio 23.
Despite the burgeoning showbiz sked that a demanding on-cam career brings, Dino finds time to hit the books — something to crow about especially for someone who belongs in an industry where going to school is not exactly a prerequisite.
“I’m presently in my third year of studying Multimedia Arts at De La Salle University-College of St. Benilde,” he confesses. “I made a vow to finish my studies because I find it rewarding to learn something new every day. Besides I’m studying a course that is very much related to the work I do now so it’s really fun. School is actually just like an extension of what I do and who I am.”
On the rare occasions that he is not in school or at work, Dino chills by indulging in what he calls his “geek-like” hobbies. “I’ve been collecting original DVDs and I’ve been watching them. I also like playing video games and reading my comic books.”
Not surprisingly, Dino’s “makulit but serious (when it comes to work)” personality finds expression in his fashion style. This hyperactive dude goes for colorful shirts with graphic prints.
“I don’t know why but I like the screaming colors of red and purple because they make a statement at once so I really don’t have to try hard to get attention. I’m also crazy about shirts with a lot of prints — graffiti, skulls, symbols of stuff, anything really — as long as it’s done in a really cool way,” he says, ticking off his fave outfits.
Dino admits that he signed up with Bum because the brand’s pointed fashion statement suits his character to a T. “I went crazy when the offer came because I’ve always loved BUM’s edgy, radical look. I admit, I’m a very loud person, so sometimes my style is loud as well. That’s why I like Bum’s ‘loud’ colors and hip designs.”
Dino especially loves the brand’s line of cool jackets and hoodies for the in-your-face attitude they exude. A confessed “clothesaholic,” Dino admits that he tends to splurge on Bum clothes. How many exactly does he have? “A lot!” he exclaims with a laugh.