Q

The Livin' La Vida Loca mentality fits this hunk to a T. Confessing that he started living a crazy, rebellious life when he was at age 12, the 23-year-old now insists he has reformed and matured. How did that happen? Bernard Revilla Palanca just woke up one day and realized that his free-wheeling life had to end. Nonetheless, he is not your usual traditional Filipino. This guy confesses to liking aggressive women who get straight to the point and know what they want.

Looks familiar? It's because you see him as the latest cool dude of summer in San Miguel Beer new series of barkada commercials. You also see him portray Jobert, the kontrabida at ABS-CBN's Labs Ko si Babe. His good looks could be traced from the illustrious Revilla clan, which includes grandfather, Armando Goyena and his beautiful daughters -- mostly known as the Camay girls.

For months, more information about the real Bernard has been requested by the surfers in the Stars Galore and Showbiz news sites and recently he finally got to chat with his fans, together with his brother, Miko. Girls flooded the artist's chatroom perhaps due to the magnetic, free-spirited personality that he projects on screen beneath all his kontrabida roles. But beware of this self-confessed reformed bad boy for he admits to being a big flirt, too, You might just fall for his charms. Chatting at one of his favorite gimmick spots, Friday's at Tomas Morato, Bernard talks about women, his rebellious life, his career and passion for music over some beer and his favorite fare.

YOUNG STAR: How did life change after the San Miguel Beer commercials?

BERNARD PALANCA: Personally, it didn't change me in anyway. I'm happy, though, because the campaign really worked well. If there's any change it's being recognized more, which I am not really used to.

Who is Bernard Palanca?

I am what you see in the commercial -- I just live my life the way I want to. I do things the way I want to -- sometimes regardless of whether it's right or wrong. More or less, you can say I am real.

In your TV shows, why did you choose to portray character roles when you easily could have been a matinee idol?

Character roles are more fun. I love playing the bad guy; the one aggravating other people. It's fun! My work is really about having fun at the same time because I really don't believe in working on something from behind a desk. I would die! I have to have fun and I have to be constantly moving around. I need to enjoy my work. You will never see me behind the desk. I will never have a 9 to 5 job at a bank -- really!

Are there any parallelism with the roles you portay on screen with your real life?

There are times when it can happen. I do play bad guys which require me to be always angry. It takes a lot for me to get angry or get mad. When I do, there's no telling what I am capable of doing because I can get really mad. Trust me, you wouldn't want to know. In terms of being naughty or notorious, it's fun.

You honestly believe it's fun being the bad guy?

When I say notorious, I mean in the sense of living a crazy life!

What is this crazy life you are referring to?

It's not caring about rules and having no respect for authority. I think rules stop people from doing what they really want. You gotta agree with me on that. In certain things in life, there are always rules. I don't like any authority to take control of my life -- or anybody's life, for that matter -- so I don't believe in that.

You just said that you live your life as it comes. So are you the type who also go for one-night stands?

I won't lie to you -- it has happened. I never complained. It was fun but when it comes to girls, I take them seriously. Right now, I am single, I have fun, I'll have my fun. If I meet someone, fine, let's go out and if it's going to be just for one night, okay lang. I won't cry about it the next day! But when it comes to relationships, I'm very serious.

How do you get away with all those one-night stands?

I don't know. Honestly, I just do. There are times when I really don't have to do anything. They are the ones who say, "I don't want to have a relationship." You wouldn't mind a fling, right? I don't want to be a hypocrite and say no.

When I meet someone new, I'm just always myself. I show them who I am. I am a real person. I don't know how or why it happens but it does.

Would you say that girls today are more liberal?

Yeah, at least some of the girls I've met.

Where did you meet them?

I grew up with people that were not from here. They're usually from the States; your basic foreigner. My family is very liberated but I am a conservative boy. They let us do what we want but at the same time, they have their set of rules. So growing up was really fun for me.

Are there also liberated Filipinas?

Yes, you'd be surprised! Usually I meet them in bars and if I find them cute, I'll go up to them. I would say hello. I do that. I am a big flirt! I'm telling you, I'm a huge flirt. Flirting is fun, it's healthy.

Do you flirt because it's an ego trip?

No, it's just fun! I just have fun. It's like this when I am with my friends and we see these women and let's say I go up to one and get to know her. Then we exchange notes and ask, "What did your girl say?" It's not an ego thing, it's just when you meet someone you like, it's just a sick game of winning it or losing it.

I've lost a lot of times already. I've come up to women and had been turned down so many times.

You? Turned down?

I've been rejected a lot of times but it doesn't bother me because it made me realize I'm human after all. You can't always get what you want. I'm just like that when I want something, I'd go for it and get it.

Describe how girls come on to you.

Usually, they would buy me a drink. Then I'd ask the waiter where it came from. They're usually the more mature girls -- 26 years old and above.

What about the younger girls?

They have a different style. The younger ones usually approach a friend. "Oh, you know him pala or could you go up to him and introduce me?" Just like that.

The older women?

The older ones, no. They usually go straight to the point. They are like, "Get that guy what he is drinking." The waiter comes up with your drink. When you ask where it's from, they'll say it's from a lady over there. It's happens, but sometimes it's scary.

Tell us one incident when you got scared.

There was this one place but I won't say anymore where. I was standing there with a drink when the waiter came up to me and gave me another one. I asked him where it came from. He pointed to a lady who looked like she was in her late 50s or 60s. So I was like, "Oh sh*@!" As a courtesy, I took the drink, went up to her and said, "Thanks for the drink." I asked for her name and she started making kuwento until she asked me if I wanted to go home with her.

Why do all these one-night stands happen?

Most of them live on their own and they are not married.

What kind of girls are they -- the ones who agree to these arrangements?

There are so many women like that. You'd be surprised that they are decent. They look like they have just started to go out. They are really conservative-looking but when you get to their house -- wala na, patay. You're like...wow!

You mean they are more aggressive?

Oh yeah! Very aggressive -- that's the term. I love aggressive women.

Why do you love aggressive women? Traditional Pinoys prefer the opposite.

Because aggressive women go straight to the point and that's what I like. I've seen that and experienced it. For me, that's the way to go. Just say what you have to say. I don't believe in beating around the bush. I hate the pakipot type. I really cannot stand that. I like it when women know what they want and can tell you that. I like it when they can express it.

Did you ever end up with any of those flings?

Yes!

And she really was the one who came up to you?

Yes. She said, "I'm lonely tonight. You want to keep me company?" I said, "Sure!" Then one thing led to another.

Do you go for older or younger women?

Age was never a problem for me, never a hassle whether the girl was older or younger than me as long as she has her head screwed on straight and she can speak her mind and exhibit all the qualities I like in a girl, then I'd go for her. I only had two girlfriends that were younger than me, the rest were older.

What are those qualities that you like?

If she makes me happy, could make me smile, treat me well and respect me, I'll be with that woman.

You said you are liberated but conservative. What do you mean by that?

I am still a gentleman. I treat women with respect. I treat them like human beings and not objects. I treat every woman like I treat my mom. I am never bastos, never raise my hand to any woman. That's what I mean by good loving.

How are you when you are in love? Are you the type who shows it in public?

Oh yeah. When I have a girlfriend, I really show it in public that she is my girlfriend. I don't care! I love it, especially if my girlfriend is beautiful and all the guys want her and she's with me. I love it when she's just there with me and all the guys are like "sh@#, sh$#, sh&*!" It happened once that I had a girl that everyone wanted and how sarap the feeling!

You go for trophy girlfriends?

No, as I said, I never look at a girl as a trophy or as an object. She must have a good personality. I'll be honest with you. Looks, for me, are only the beginning. Physical appearance is a magnet. It's really what attracts the opposite sex to each other. Obviously, you really have to be attracted to the person to be able to get interested.

What's your type?

I don't really have a type. You know this term "electricity"? I had a girlfriend before where everyone was like "Huh." She had a great personality. Like I said, I'd rather be with a woman that could talk to me rather than a girl that just shuts up and looks good.

What is your definition of a great personality?

Somebody who is real. Somebody who is not afraid to speak her mind, somebody who shows not only me but everyone around her who she is. That's what I like. You can more or less say, "cowboy,"' but I don't like maarte women who say, like, "Ahh, I don't want to eat there because it's dirty!"

Describe this "cowboy" type of girl you like.

I like somebody who could dress like basura but still look good. Like she can wear kamiseta, shorts, sandals or a plain T-shirt, jeans and sneakers -- dressed down and very casual but still look like a bombshell. Someone who can still look good without having to dress up. I like girls that wear what they feel and if they are comfortable with something.

You don't like makeup?

I hate makeup -- not a lot of it. Beauty for me is natural and has to come naturally without makeup. With makeup she looks good. Without make-up, I want her to look better.

You must like the beach a lot. Tell me, if you will spend one whole day at the beach, what will you do?

I will drink as much beer as I can and go to sleep! If I had a girlfriend with me, that's a different story (laughs) What do you think (laughs)? What do you want me to say? I'll hold her hand, we'll walk along the beach and we'll plan the future or we will go naked in the beach!'

You also like to party. What are your top 10 hippest gimmick places?

Porch in Bautista Street, Makati; O' Reilley's; Friday's; Tequila Joe's; San Mig; Ka Freddie's, Surya; Ratsky's; Giraffe; Hard Rock.

Do you think you have yet to enjoy your bachelor days to the fullest?

I'm sawa na. I had my time to party and I really did party. We'd start at 10 p.m. and end at 10 a.m. the next day after partying all-night. You come home drunk or wake up in someone's bed.

You mean you wake up to a total stranger?

No -- I pick who I go home with. I wouldn't go as far as surprise or shock that you did it like you wake up and can't believe you did it. I don't regret it. I never regretted anything.

What was the sweetest thing you ever did for a girl?

The sweetest thing I ever did to a girl was write a song for her and sing it to her. I picked up the guitar and started singing.

What was the sweetest thing a girl ever did for you?

When I was really down my best friend picked me up and took me out. I love her for it. She made it clear that she was a friend and she was there for me. My best friend is really the sweetest girl I know as she was the one who did the sweetest thing for me.

How come you never crossed the line from friendship to love?

I don't want to break the relationship. She is one friend I can never replace. I don't want to risk it. Although we have a pact that at 38, if we are still both single, we are getting married.

At what age did you start living your crazy life?

I started smoking, drinking, partying and sleeping with women when I was 12. I stopped when I was 18 and would only go out once in a while. At the age of 12, my friends were all between the ranges of 18 to 25 years old. I would see people do things that were right for them because they were of age. I always would think beyond my age.

What was fun for you then and now that you have reformed?

Fun for me then was getting drunk, getting high, waking up with a different girl, getting into fights. Fun for me now is finishing my work, doing it well and coming home to a family that always has open arms to welcoming me home, and playing with the kids at home.

What kids are you referring to -- your own?

My mom remarried in 1988, so I am referring to my half brothers and sisters.

How did you take her remarriage?

That's why I was a rebel, I got jealous.

When did you finally accept it?

Only three years ago.

In what ways were you a rebel?

I always thought differently. At an age where I was supposed to playing with Gi Joes, I was holding a cigarette in my hand. I'm not suggesting everyone grow up the way I did. Let's face it because it's a fact of life and it's true that kids should just do what they want and parents should be there to guide and not stop them. That's the best way kids could grow up and find themselves, so to speak. In my case, the more you tell me no, the more I do it.

Didn't you make your mother cry?

At that time, I was an immature, insensitive grown boy, I didn't care about anything and anybody. I just did what I wanted to. All I thought about was me, me, me. If I wanted to have fun, I would have fun. In a way, if I was grieving about my mom -- and I know I did -- it was because of how I was thinking at that time. I didn't really care, I wanted the attention. Rebellion is like that -- attention-grabbing.

You felt you didn't get enough attention?

Yes, I didn't get any attention, and I just did what I want because I have to get what I want.

You have to get what you want at any cost?

Well, not to the point naman of killing somebody (laughs). I'd get into fights. I never start a fight, but I also don't back out of it, too.

What insights did you learn from your own experience as a rebellious son?

Children just have to realize everything on their own. You can't change the way the kid is -- that's impossible. When parents stop the kids from doing what they want to do, that's when they start to rebel.

How did you reform?

I just woke up and looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Ayaw ko na!"

How do you deal with things now?

I am more calm now. I just breath and it works. I relax.

You seem to be the type who lives life as it comes?

Yes, I live one day at a time. I really don't think about the past. I don't really plan my future. I don't think about it -- I only live for now. My belief is to live each day as it comes because you can never tell when it all can end.

But I want to climb that ladder into a status in my career where I don't have to worry about tomorrow.

You mean stability?

Stability not just in my career but in my whole life.

Are you the type who wants to have so much number of films, records, TV shows?

I'd like that but I am not the type to go crazy and hate the world if I don't get it. The way I think is, "If it comes to you, it comes to you. If you deserve it, you deserve it." That's how I am -- to really say it, I am not in a hurry to reach that point.

Who was your partner in your first love scene on screen?

Glydel Mercado.

How did it feel?

Sarap! But I was nervous. My heart was beating like there was no tomorrow.

How sexy would you go?

Show my ass and playing a bad guy. I would love to have a rape scene.

Dream role?

Psychotic killer.

Hollywood idols?

Al Pacino, Jude Law, Jeremy Irons, Matt Damon; for women -- Juliette Lewis, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan.

Music?

Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, Beatles, classic rock -- Beatles.

You have a band called Bisquit Factory. What kind of music do you play?

Our album is still in the works, but it will contain alternative pop-rock songs. When we go upstage and perform, we do it because we love doing it. We do it not to make money and meet chicks. Music is really a part of us in the band. My lyrics reflect a part of my life. That's how I'm able to write.

What kind of sports do you like?

I love watersports, billiards, soccer, basketball, football, badminton. But I hate baseball -- it's just fun to watch. What else, uhm, motorcycling, jet-ski racing. I also did motocross. I like dangerous sports.

Being part of the Palanca clan, do you love to write too?

I am very poetic. I love to write whatever thought I have in my brain. Whatever feeling I have in my body, I write it down on paper. But it's only for me. I don't like showing it to anybody.

What do you really envision yourself to be -- an actor, a rock star, a model?

That's a hard question because I enjoy doing everything. Being a model is fun, acting is really fun and music is my passion so whatever path, they're always going to be there. If I had to answer one, it would be my music because it is my music that makes me. My music is the way I express myself. On a rainy day, I just love to pick up my guitar and sing my heart out as if there was no tomorrow.

What is it that you want to accomplish?

To live my life the best way that I can and achieve something for myself -- like my job. I like to hit that point when I can look back and say I lived a good life. That I lived a fun and adventurous life -- a crazy life. And to be able to overcome all that and still keep your feet on the ground. It's just the basic thought of being able to control your whole life by yourself without having to listen to anybody telling you what to do. That's what I mean by living life.

How would you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered like this. I want to die in history -- not in the newspaper. In a newspaper, you are only in the headlines for one day. I want to be remembered. I want people to live that life they want and die with a smile. I just want to die happy. For me, that's accomplishing something.

Bernard Palanca and brother Miko are featured at the Stars & Showbiz news sections of www.pinoycentral.com. Also, browse through the website's library of stars (presently numbering 115).