The finishing touch to Alden Richards’ leading man style

MANILA, Philippines – The past 11 months have been a juggling act for the actor and recording artist Alden Richards. He is best known for his partnership with Dubsmash sensation Maine Mendoza a.k.a. Yaya Dub, a serendipitous love team securing Eat Bulaga as the number one noontime show, thanks to their kilig-inducing split-screen segment “Kalyeserye.” Just weeks ago, AlDub went from Metro Manila’s suburbs to the streets of Italy to shoot their upcoming movie Imagine Me and You.

He’s now back to his tight daily schedule revolving around live tapings, as well as shoots for endorsements; while the two may be deemed inseparable, everyone wants a piece of Richards on his own. The 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Actor awardee has been working his way up “slowly, surely, but with faith,” as he describes it, since he debuted in 2011. While the state of his romantic relationship with Mendoza is uncertain, as an actor, Richards’ time is now.

You can find him unwinding in Tagaytay with friends (he co-owns Concha’s Garden Café) or overseeing the final stages of the construction of his new home. Future investments include a farm in Batangas, a few more restaurant businesses and a commercial building. He quips, “We have to make our money work for us, right?”

 For his fans, he is collaborating with Summit Media for his first autobiographical book and finishing up his second album to be released by GMA Records.

As the new face of TechnoMarine, he’s keeping his sched in check with the Swiss watch brand’s stylish timepieces, helping him look the part of a leading man as he takes his rightful place in the spotlight. It’s a partnership that came just in time. At the TechnoMarine press conference held last Tuesday in B Hotel, Quezon City, he exudes confidence in his more polished style. The Philippine STAR decodes.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Did “AlDub” change your personal style? In what way?

ALDEN RICHARDS: I’m really the simple type, comfortable lang, I just wear T-shirt, jeans and sneakers. Now, marami ang tumitingin, I became more conscious about how I present myself. For appearances, I now go for sleek looks, long-sleeved polo shirts and pullovers in solid neutral colors with formal shoes and slip-ons. In this industry, you have to evolve and change your style once in a while para hindi mukhang boring.

You just got back from shooting your upcoming movie with Maine Mendoza, Imagine Me and You, in Italy. Did you pick up style tips from the sartorial Italians?

Their style is so different. They always look so put-together, but then, malamig doon, eh. I like the thinner jackets they wear for spring. I’m going to try something like that during the cooler months later this year, just for a change.

Technically, we now don’t need a watch to be able to tell time. Why are you still a watch guy?

I feel naked without wearing a watch. Wearing a watch is still the best way to tell time unlike looking at your phone where you can get distracted by the notifications. With a watch, all it takes is a flick of the wrist.

It also brings my outfit to the next level. I always wear the Cruise watch from TechnoMarine. It has interchangeable straps for days like today, I came from Eat Bulaga where it’s more casual, and now for this event I’m preppy. I can wear it for formal or casual looks. I always wear it with this navy strap, ang daling bagayan with my rosary bracelets.

I also climb mountains when I have the time. I’m part of a climbing group. For that, I wear a watch from the Reef Collection in black. It’s a diving watch, but as a watch lover and collector, pag na-scratch, medyo masakit. That doesn’t happen with the Reef watch.

How do you decide which size of a face watch to wear? Do you prefer large or medium?

I actually received a watch with a small face surrounded by diamonds from a fan. I know mostly women wear it but women now wear big-faced watches, too. I wear the small-faced watch with formal outfits like suits. The problem with big- faced watches is sometimes, lumalampas sa strap. Nakakasira ng outfit.

You are never seen without your rosary bracelets. What is their significance?

I’m a fan of beaded religious bracelets. I wear them with everything. The brown one, I’ve had for the longest. It’s a gift from a friend in Rome. The black Tuscan bracelet was given to me by Maine, while we were shooting in Italy kasi she lost my other bracelet, this matching bracelet we got from Boracay. I was so touched that she really made an initiative to replace it. Now she also has the same black Tuscan St. Benedict’s bracelet.

Time being a more precious commodity for you these days, how do you choose to spend your free time?

“Me” time is massages, movies, or — bihirang bihira lang eto — I spend on cars and watches. Soon, I hope to travel more.

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Until July 31, trade in your working or non-working TechnoMarine watches (with or without a strap but with complete case, bezel, and mechanism) at official TechnoMarine stores and get a 40 percent discount on any TechnoMarine watch.