Jackie nimble, Jackie quick

As we’ve been saying, Jackie Chan, 62, is his own best trophy ever, with his body marked with scars that testify to his being the movie world’s most daring action star, bar none. Last year, Jackie was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oscars, another feather to his already over-decorated cap. That doesn’t stop Jackie from doing what he loves doing most (find out in the following exclusive Q&A).

In Kung Fu Yoga, a multi-lingual action-adventure comedy directed by Stanley Tong for a Chinese-Indian joint venture of Taihe Entertainment and Shinework Pictures, Jackie plays a world-renowned archeology professor at the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xian who teams up with young Indian professor Ashmita (played by Amyra Dastur) and assistant Kyra (Disha Patani) to locate India’s lost Magadha treasure in Tibet. His other co-stars are Aarif Rahman, Zhang Yixing, Sonu Sood and Miya Muqi.

Released by Star Cinema locally, Kung Fu Yoga will open nationwide on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Here’s Funfare’s exclusive e-mail interview with Jackie

How different is Kung Fu Yoga from your previous films?

“This time, we shot in China, India, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates. We have a fresh story that combines the philosophies of both kung fu and yoga. Perhaps you have seen me in many car chases, but this time, there are wildly expensive luxurious cars that came from the Dubai government and the royal family. There is even a lion riding with me as we fly through the air! There are too many differences to mention!”

Describe your role in the movie.

“My character in the movie is Jack, a renowned archaeology professor. He is dedicated to preserving the heritage of China’s Silk Road. He has long been fascinated by legends of the lost treasure of India’s ancient Magadha Kingdom. Despite being an academic, he is also a skilled kung fu fighter.”

You are a kung fu expert. Do you practice yoga? How do kung fu and yoga complement each other?

“I do not practice yoga, but it’s good for people to practice it. In kung fu, explosiveness of action is necessary, but the moves in yoga are slow, focusing on the softness and flexibility of one’s body. When a martial arts practitioner learns yoga, the training of the mind combines with the physical training to empower one’s willpower as a whole. So, yes, kung fu and yoga really do complement each other. They both teach one how to concentrate, to keep one’s body and mind in balance, and to feel inner joy.”

What else do you do to cope with stress? Any healthy habits?

“I actually like to watch documentaries on television, on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. And I can’t help myself from cleaning the film set, recycling the empty bottles, vacuuming, and tidying up rooms. Also, I still go to the gym every day and run for an hour.”

How do you keep yourself fit and healthy at your age...what kind of diet do you have, how much sleep do you get per night and how often do you work out?

“As I said, I still run every day, but I never go on a diet. I believe that if you enjoy every moment of your life, accept yourself, and stay young at heart, then you will naturally be healthy. I believe in ‘Happy go lucky’!

How many stunts can you do now compared to when you were younger? Any limitations physically and your choice of movies to do?

“My audience still expects stunts, and I am still doing them myself. Of course, I need doubles sometimes, special effects, and certain camera angles to help me, but I do most of the stunts by myself. Every movie requires something new from me. As to my limitations… perhaps leg splits are difficult for me now!”

How was it working with non-Chinese actors in Kung Fu Yoga?

“I enjoyed very much working with them, they are very professional and talented. I like working with different people from around the world.”

You were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Hollywood recently. How do you feel about it?

“I am very thankful. I was doing action films or action comedies most of my career. Normally they wouldn’t give an award to an actor in this genre. I persevered and worked hard on my movies. The award is in recognition of my body of work. It proves that if we strive for our dreams, one day they’ll be recognized.”

You already have many awards and achievements. What else do you want to do?

“I want to make a bigger contribution to the world outside film. I often play a man who loves peace; I believe that one’s enemies can become one’s friends. That’s a message that I sincerely believe in. I want to participate more in environmental protection and other charity work. I want to help the poor and other people in need, and try my best to spread important messages to those around me, and to the audience through my films.”

Does retirement ever cross your mind?

“Movies are my life. I think I will never stop making films.”

E.R. Tagle and the Miss U beauties

Prominent positivism exponent and painter E.R. Tagle gifted election lawyer Romy Macalintal with his drawings of Mother and Child which were drawn just like a logo or in the art of minimalism which Tagle said were blessed by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

Tagle is also widely known for using “fish” as the symbol of protecting our environment. Tagle told Romy, “My drawings of Mother and Child portray the expression of the love of the mother to her child and the child’s love to his mother.”

Since the 2016 Miss Universe beauty pageant is just around the corner, Tagle showed Romy some photos he had with 1994 Miss Universe Sushmita Sen who won the pageant held in Manila. Sen is here to serve as judge in the 2016 Miss U pageant on Jan. 30 at the MOA Arena, together with 1993 Miss Universe Dayanara Torres.

Tagle’s memorabilia revealed his personal interaction with Ms. Sen when he invited the candidates of the 1994 Miss Universe pageant to paint their own version of the symbolical “fish” in a 4’x4’ canvas with his painting of the United Family. And all of them gladly and gratefully responded including Torres who crowned Sen.

Tagle’s paintings and attractive works of art are available and on display at his showroom at Unit 1011 Makati Square Tower, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.  (For more information, call 0927-9586244 or 811-2432.) —Photos from www.imdb.com

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