Body Talk with Kris Bernal

Has Kris Bernal become, heaven forbid, anorexic?

That’s what everybody seems to be suspecting, Kris herself included.

You see, Kris looks much too thin at 90 lbs. (from 105) and people have been wondering: What’s eating Kris Bernal?

With relief, Kris said, “I was worried nga that I was suffering na from anorexia nervosa. But I’m glad that I’m not. Kasi hindi ko pa naman niri-reject ang kinakain ko.”

Kris had to undergo a crash diet after she saw herself in Nandito Ako Nagmamahal Sa’yo, the Regal Films/GMA Films romance-drama directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes in which she had perennial loveteam-mate Aljur Abrenica as leading man.

“They asked me to wear a two-piece,” said Kris, “and when I saw the movie, parang na-conscious ako sa katawan ko dahil ang feeling ko ang taba-taba ko. Since then, I stopped eating rice and cut down on my food intake.”

Nandito Ako, Kris’ first-starring movie with Aljur, was a good one. Unfortunately, it suffered at the box office because it opened at the time Ondoy struck Metro Manila.

“But 2009 was a good year for me,” confirmed Kris who was discovered in the GMA talent search StarStruck (Batch 3) three years ago. “I did two TV series, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? and All My Life (both with Aljur) and one movie (Nandito Ako).”

Kris and Aljur open 2010 with the GMA fantasy-adventure The Last Prince, directed by Mac Alejandre, in which she plays a princess (and Aljur a prince). Premiering on Monday, Jan. 11, The Last Prince will take televiewers to Paladino, the magical kingdom found atop the clouds. It marks the comeback of Princess Punzalan (back from the US where she stays with her husband) and also stars Carmina Villarroel, Eula Valdez, Emilio Garcia, Angelu de Leon, Benjie Paras, Bianca King, Bubbles Paraiso, Chanda Romero, Paolo Paraiso, Chynna Ortaleza, Elvis Gutierrez, Steff Prescott, Karen delos Reyes, Joey Paras, Nicole Sanoy and Rita Iringan, plus the hit Rosalinda loveteam Geoff Eigenmann and Carla Abellana.

A Taurian (May 17), Kris stands 5’1”, measures 32-23-32, and wears extra-small shirt and size-5 shoes.

Do you take three square meals a day?

“I try to.”

What’s for breakfast?

“Diet cereals.”

For lunch?

“Fruits and salads.”

For dinner?

“Almost nothing. A few pieces of chocolates lang kung minsan.”

No snacks in-between, I suppose.

“None.”

Are you comfortable with 90 lbs.?

“Not really. In fact, my bosses have been reminding me to gain weight. That’s what I am doing now. But still, I avoid rice. Nasanay na akong hindi kumakain ng kanin.”

What food do you crave all the time (even if you’re on a diet)?

“Fruits lang.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Nako-complete ko naman ‘yung eight glasses a day. Kaya lang, the water I’m taking is also pang-diet.”

What about vitamins?

“I’ve started taking multi-vitamins para daw ganahan akong kumain. I’ve gotten used to taking very small meals. Now that I’m trying to gain weight, they make me drink milk.”

Do you work out?

“I do almost every day, even when I’m tired. I even hired a trainer.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“None naman. Basta magpapataba lang ako ng konti.”

What part is most vulnerable?

“My head. When I’m stressed out, I get a headache. Maybe it’s due to my diet and lack of sleep.”

And what part is your favorite?

“None. But I tell you, conscious talaga ako sa tummy ko. Even if I eat only a little, feeling ko lumulobo ang tiyan ko. When I gain weight, mas madaling lumaki ang tummy ko, not my face or my arms.”

What part of a guy’s body do you notice first?

“His eyes. Okay lang sa akin if the guy is not hunky. Basta, eyes niya ang una kong napapansin. I’m not particular about his body; maski payat basta malinis sa katawan.”

What else in a guy turns you on?

“’Yung malinis ang mga kuko. But the whole body, not just his nails, must be neat and clean.”

And what turns you off?

“Bad breath.”

With your busy schedule, do you manage to sleep eight hours per night?

“Sometimes. You see, even if I lack sleep, hindi ako makatulog kaagad.”

Are you suffering from insomnia?

“No, I’m not. I try to get catnaps on the set.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Three. One under my head, one I hug and the third one on my side to make me feel na may katabi ako kasi matatakutin ako, eh.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“Sando and shorts.”

Do you snore?

“Yes. Inaamin ko. But only mildly.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“Sometimes daw.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“I hope not!”

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

“I pray.”

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

“I walk around the house.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I stroll in the mall. I go shopping.”

Favorite hideaway?

“Believe it or not but my favorite hideaway is a quiet parking lot. There, my friends and I would stay in the car and talk while taking meals served in styrofoam boxes. Or nag-i-Internet kami.”

Favorite city?

“None.”

How’s your love life?

“Mayroon ba? Hmmmmm, I just say, well, puede na.”

Any nightlife?

“None. I’m not fond of bar-hopping and things like that.”

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

“Piolo Pascual. JC de Vera. Aljur Abrenica.”

And three women...

“Cristine Reyes. Marian Rivera. Anne Curtis.”

Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him?

“I try to catch his eye. Tinitingnan ko siya ng madalas until he also looks at me.”

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