Entertainment

Body Talk with Chris Tiu

January 17, 2008 | 12:00am

If you see somebody who looks like Chris Tiu — the 5’11”/170-pound shooting guard of the Green Archers, the endorser of Adidas and Sector Watches, and, since December last year, co-host of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on GMA 7’s Pinoy Records, aired Saturday nights after Wish Ko Lang — minding a food stall selling rice toppings at the Ateneo campus, don’t blink. He is “it.”

Like most Chinese, Chris (100 percent Chinese) is business-minded. When not on the hardcourt or in the classroom (Applied Math and Finance; he has graduated with a Management and Engineering degree), he can be seen behind that food stall, busy attending to customers and taking quick bites from (usually) a late lunch.

It was Annette Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Worldwide, Inc. and of GMA Films, and the Tius’ neighbor at Urdaneta Village in Makati City, who lured Chris into television.

“First, Annette offered me a role in Ouija (starring Judy Ann Santos and Jolina Magdangal), as the boyfriend of Rhian Ramos, but I was too busy with my studies. Before that, Noel Ferrer, also an Atenean, asked me to be one of the hosts of (the defunct ANC show) Y Speak, but I also begged off. Then, late last year, GMA came up with a nice concept for a show (Pinoy Records), so I told Annette, ‘Why not? I can try.’”

Chris, 22 (Cancer, July 15), first met Manny last year in Las Vegas during Manny’s bout with Marco Antonio Barrera, but they still have to appear on the show together (they host separate segments).

“He has left for the US to train for his next fight,” said Chris, “and maybe we’ll start taping together when he comes back.”

But his first love is, of course, basketball.

“That’s why after finishing one course, I decided to enroll in another, so that I can continue to play.”

One of three children, Chris comes from a conservative family. His mother is an Opus Dei and his father, although not officially an Opus Dei, is a co-operator.

He has been with the Blue Eagles since 2003, taking time off only when he went to France (and stayed there for six months) as an exchange student.

“My favorite subject? Chinese,” smiled Chris (who finished elementary grades and high school at Xavier). “I want to brush up on my Mandarin.”

Is it hard to maintain a “basketball” body like yours?

“Yes, it is, because we are a family who likes to eat a lot...a typical Chinese family that loves Chinese food. And you know how oily Chinese food is! So it’s hard to discipline myself not to eat too much, especially before a game when I have to be fit.”

So what kind of diet do you normally follow?

“I love meat, but before a game, I try to avoid eating it especially pork. I get my protein not from meat but from fish. I run and work out a lot before a game so I load up on pasta, rice and vegetables for my carbo needs. I stay away from dairy products because I’m lactose intolerant.”

What’s usually for breakfast?

“Rice with longganisa or tocino and fried egg. The usual Filipino breakfast.”

For lunch?

“Also rice and meat, usually beef, or with chicken or fish. I often eat at my stall in school.”

For dinner?

“If I eat too much at lunch, I take a light dinner. But after a workout or a pratice, I take a full meal.”

And snacks between meals?

“Not much. A little sandwich or pasta is good enough. I don’t like junk food. I don’t have a sweet tooth, so no sweets for me.”

Favorite dish, something that you crave for all the time?

“Foie Gras Salad with goose liver. Hmmmm. Very unhealthy but I can’t resist it. I get it from China Steak House in Mall of Asia. There’s also this special soup that they make for me, at the China Palace also at the Mall of Asia, which tastes like Soup No. 5. I ate that before the UAAP games.”

Favorite fruit?

“Banana...the big, green one.”

Favorite vegetable?

“Chinese spinach, lettuce and all green vegetables. I’m a salad lover.”

How much water do you take every day?

“Around two liters. I avoid juices, but I take Gatorade especially before a practice. No coffee; tea, yes.”

Hard drinks?

“Once in a while, social drinking lang.”

Do you smoke?

“No, I don’t.”

What vitamins and/or minerals (supplements) do you take?

“Centrum, Enervon-C, Ascorbic Acid (1,000 mg. per day) and Berocca.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“You’ll be surprised but in spite of my busy schedule I still manage to get seven to eight hours. I sleep at 12 midnight and wake up at around 7 or 8 a.m.”

Any bedtime “idiosyncracy”?

“I sleep with four pillows — a long one, two regular rectangles and a small one.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“According to my brother, yes. I talk about basketball daw and say things that he can’t understand.”

Do you snore?

“Only when I’m tired.”
Favorite sleep wear?

“Basketball shorts and T-shirt.”

Never in the nude?

“Never! I share a room with my brother.”

The last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Pray.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“Check my cell phone, which I put on ‘silent mode’ before I sleep, and review missed calls and messages.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I listent to music — Chinese music — and Richard Clayderman CDs which are very soothing. I play the piano. Or I play golf with my dad. Massage? Not often. What I need is mental relaxation more than physical relaxation.”

What’s your outlook in life?

“Positive. I’m optimistic. Why worry? I’m a very organized person. I want everything in place, well-planned.”

Favorite hideaway?

“Tagaytay Highlands. I sometime spend weekends there with my family.”

You are not hypochondriac, are you?

“No, I’m not.”

How often do you see your doctor?

“Not often. Only when I feel that something is wrong with me.”

Your dentist?

“Once a year.”

Your dermatologist?

“When my skin breaks out, usually due to lack of sleep. Sometimes, I grow warts in some parts of my body. I also have keloids from injuries sustained during the games. I am injury-prone. I have pulled hamstrings.”

What workouts do you do?

“I lift weights in the gym. More of endurance exercises.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“My shoulders. Sabi nila, maganda daw dahil broad.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“Not just one part but many parts — I have sinusitis, I broke my nose kasi during a game so it’s crooked. I have bad eyes, so I wear contact lenses. Maraming problema! Hehehehehe!”

And what part do you think needs improvement?

“My legs...my hamstrings.”

What part of a girl’s body do you look at first?

“The face...the legs.”

What other qualities do you want in a girl?

“Beyond the physical, she has to be beautiful inside.”

How do you deal with temptations?

“Avoid compromising situations.”

What if you’re “cornered”?

“Tatakbo na lang ako. Hehehehehe!”

How’s your love life?

“No comment.”