The ups & downs of being Borgy M.

(Note: Five Sundays ago, Conversations featured Jomari Yllana as one of the Bench Hunks. It’s Fernando Martin "Borgy" Marcos Manotoc’s turn in the spotlight, with the third — but definitely not the least — hunk, Diether Ocampo, slated for "grilling" four Sundays from now.)

Because he’s 18 (last April 9), he’d rather be called Martin than by his "childish" nickname Borgy, the eldest of the three sons of estranged couple Tommy Manotoc and Imee Marcos (the two others are Michael, 16; and Matthew, 12).

Since he became a Bench model (currently endorsing the Bench body spray), Borgy, er, Martin has been making heads turn, drawing a second, lingering look especially from girls who, no doubt about it, have been fantasizing over his sexy shots, half-naked in Bench wear.

The following Conversation (originally scheduled at Shangri-La EDSA Plaza but later moved to the Marcoses’ old house in San Juan, Metro Manila, which is now virtually a museum with nobody living there and guarded only by security men) is a free-wheeling one, with Borgy, er, Martin talking about every topic you can think of, from his studies to his upbringing to his lifestyle to girls that attract him to his future to the Super Power guiding his life.

In person, Borgy, er, Martin is very casual and natural, no airs nor any put-on attitude. It was drizzling outside that Thursday afternoon and at 1:30, Borgy, er, Martin was relishing his second (or was it the third or the fourth?) slice of Pizza Hut ordered by the Bench people who arranged the interview, one of them Douglas Quijano who described Borgy, er, Martin as very humble. "When he joined the Bench fashion show in Cebu," recalled Douglas, "he didn’t have any bodyguard at all; he carried his own things; he didn’t have any alalay. He’s very likeable, very down-to-earth."

I agree.

How did you get your nickname (Borgy)?

"It’s a tennis thing, you know. I was born with a slow heart beat, very irregular, and at that time Bjorn Borg was a big star at Wimbledon. My dad was a big fan of Borg who also happened to have a slow heart beat, so my dad started calling me Borg. Later, it became Borgy."

Has your heart beat been checked/corrected?

"It wasn’t really that serious; it had something to do with my cardio-vascular building. In fact, some people consider it a ‘bonus’ because you don’t get out of breath as much or as often or as fast as some people do."

Your name and your birthday are very, well, "historic."

"My full name is Fernando Martin Marcos Manotoc. Fernando is Portuguese for Ferdinand. I got that name from my grandfather, including the name Martin. I was born on April 9 (1983), Bataan Day. I’m an Aries."

Do you believe in what the horoscope says about Arians — you know, meek and mild? And submissive?

(Breaking into mild laugh) "To a certain extent, yes, I’m submissive, I guess. I’m an enthusiastic person."

What’s good about being Borgy, er, Martin Marcos Manotoc?

"What’s good? Let me see... Should I define myself? What do you mean, in relation to being somebody else?"

What are the advantages of being a Borgy, er, Martin Marcos Manotoc? Do doors instantly open for you? You know, do opportunities open up for you without your lifting a finger?

"The advantages? I guess for this field that I ventured into, it was a lot easier because of my family and things like that. All I did was ask, you know. It was a lot more simple than just put yourself up there. Doors were opened for me, that’s true, and maybe a lot more options were given to me... maybe, I don’t know. You see, people have a pre-conceived notion about me because of who I am."

Do things come easy because you’re the son of Imee and Tommy, the grandson of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos?

"I don’t know if the word ‘easy’ is the right word. I do want to fall in line if I have to buy something or pay for a movie ticket. But I’ve been gifted with certain things — you know, privileges if not really opportunities."

And the downside?

"Is there any?"

You know, like don’t you feel like you’re constantly living in the shadow of your elders, their shadow(s) being long and huge?

"Not really. Some people might think that I’d mind because people would consider me as ‘Imee’s son’ or so-and-so’s grandson, things like that, but I really don’t mind. I respect my parents and my grandparents and I appreciate what they’ve done. Being mentioned in relation to them is not really a negative thing to me."

Which works more wonders, the surname Marcos or the surname Manotoc?

"I guess it depends whom you ask."

Based on your experience...

"I can’t really say because I haven’t lived that long in the Philippines, so I have no idea."

Oh, yes, of course, you’ve lived mostly abroad.

"I lived in Portugal for about five years and in Singapore for many years."

What sort of upbringing did you and your brothers have?

"My parents are not the so-called traditional Filipino parents, although they did instill in us such Filipino values as respect for parents and elders, you know. But the thing is, my parents are more liberated compared to the parents of most of my friends. They let you speak your mind; they’re open to your point of view. And because of that, I guess they can relate to us kids a lot better."

What about as far as material things are concerned, money for example, did your parents spoil you with them? Did you get everything that you ask for?

"Most people would think that my parents were like that. But no, they are not. But honestly, we work for everything that we’ve had. If I ask for something, I have to work for it, I have to do something in exchange. For example, when we were in Singapore, to get my allowance we had to clean the house every Sunday, wash the car, do the laundry — you know, things like that. If we didn’t do the chores, then we didn’t get our allowance."

What if you want to buy something which costs more than your allowance?

"Well, you would have to have a very good reason for that. Unless it’s for a very good reason, they won’t give us extra money; unless we really need something, they won’t give us extra money. For things that we use in school or for sports, okay, they give us extra money."

Is your middle name – Marcos, that is – an asset or a liability?

"It’s an asset in the sense that, as I’ve said earlier, it opens opportunities. Yes, I’m not financially burdened having been born to the kind of family that I have. Although negatively, I mean, everyone has his point of view on who we are, so it’s kind of difficult to alter the way people think of you, of us. As I’ve said, people have a pre-conceived notion about us before they get to know what we really are, before they even meet us."

Does its being an asset outweigh its being a liability?

"Well, definitely! I mean, there are a lot of other places where I could have been born, so I could have been in another situation. What makes the difference is the pressures on you. You feel that everyone is looking at you with that point of view and you just have to take it as it is."

If you were to be somebody else, neither a Marcos nor a Manotoc, who would you be?

"If I were to be somebody else...?"

Yes, maybe an ordinary man?

"But I am an ordinary man!"

No, you’re not. You’re a somebody!

"Let me see... Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being someone who grows up without anything... As in, everything that I have, I got because of myself, because of my own efforts, out of my own work and everything that I’ve strived for. That’s something that I’d like to do."

Are you more like your dad or more like your mom?

"I’ve said and I’ve been told that I’m more like my Mom. Even my Dad tells me that I’m more like my Mom. Physically, people tell me they don’t know where, or whom, I came from (Laughs)."

Your height (almost six feet) you got from your Dad, I guess. But your smile is very Imee Marcos.

"Really? I’ve been told so many different things. Some people say I look exactly like my Mom; others say I look exactly like my Dad. A few tell me that I look like my grandfather (Ferdinand, that is). And so on and so forth."

Your mom seems to be more sociable than your dad who seems to be retiring and self-affacing.

"Ahhh, I’m not exactly sure how he is perceived by the public. All I know is that he’s my father."

What good traits of your dad did you inherit?

"What good traits? Let me see... I guess being physically fit, being sports-minded. I got that from my father. Also, being disciplined and hard-working."

And the "bad" traits, if any?

"Well, I don’t know!... Bad traits? From my father?" (Thinks long and hard) "Well, I have bad traits but I don’t know if I got them from my father." (Laughs and laughs) "I’m not exactly sure." (Doesn’t tell what those "bad" traits are)

And good traits, from your mom?

"I guess... well, people say that I’m articulate and I got it from my Mom. Maybe my artistic side, which I don’t exploit now as much as I did when I was younger. People told me that my Mom was into that — performing arts — when she was my age."

Are you eventually going into the performing arts — acting, you know?

"Yeah! She was an actress. I’ve been told that she was a good actress; I haven’t really seen her perform. I guess my Mom instilled in me that love for theater, for acting, something I have yet to explore."

Waiting to be tapped.

"I don’t know...I’m not sure. Maybe... It depends."

What about "bad" traits... from your mom?

"I guess we’re both very stubborn, maybe. No, not very, just a little bit."

In what sense?

"Well, in the sense that sometimes... let me see? I guess we’re both very opinionated."

What do you remember most about your grandfather?

"Honestly? The only things I remember at all are those from my pictures in the family album."

What about your days in Malacañang?

"Honestly? I have no recollection at all. What I remember are those that I’ve been told. I was only about three years old when we left Malacañang. That’s a shame for me, not having any memories at all, because people keep on asking me that question, about what I remember about my grandfather and about Malacañang. I myself don’t know but I wish I did."

What a pity, not having any memories at all, no matter how vague.

"Oh, I do remember my grandfather carrying me a lot, in front of my parents and during parties in Malacañang."

Being the first Marcos grandchild, you must be pampered, if not spoiled.

"My grandma (Imelda Marcos) did pamper us because, you know, she’s so loving, just like the rest of us."

Are you close to your grandma?

"Oh, yes, I am! Although I don’t get to see her as much or as often as I’d like to because of our schedules."

Being both stubborn, do you have clashes with your mom? Do you run to your grandma for help (to make sumbong)?

"No, not really. If ever I have conflicts with my Mom, which every mother and son have, my Mom and I deal with them ourselves. My Mom and I talk; we have communication."

So you don’t run to your lola for anything, to make lambing for extra money or for gifts...

"Not really. I’ve been kind of taught to be independent and to stand on my own and not to run to people for help. Our parents have seen to it."

Do you feel any inclination toward politics, you being more like your mom (who’s the Representative of Ilocos Norte)?

"Being 18, I have no definite idea what I want to be in the future. But from whatever limited experience I have in politics, I can’t see myself being interested in it."

So what does an 18-year-old like you look forward to?

"What do I look forward to? Now? Let me see... College. Definitely! College! And also, living on my own. I’m looking forward to college life in September. I’m studying at the University of San Diego, in Arts and Sciences. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to major in."

Why San Diego? You know, not London where your uncle, Bongbong, studied, or somewhere else?

"Because for one thing, I like the area. San Diego is a nice place to live in. It’s one place conducive to living on your own. That’s what I’m going to do – live on my own. I’ll be solely dependent on myself. I’d be doing the household chore myself, which isn’t really hard because I’m used to it."

You don’t expect any special treatment from anybody?

"No. I prefer it that way."

Talking about showbiz... Isn’t your being a Bench model a big step toward that direction?

"It seems to be – for most people. I’ve done some TV guestings – not the acting thing, but on talkshows – but I feel that, so far, the industry is not for me. I have no plans just yet of going into it."

But you have had some movie offers, I suppose.

"Well, it’s been mentioned to my mother."

What sort of roles were offered to you? Sexy roles, I suppose.

"No, not really. Romantic roles, I was told. I’m not exactly sure."

You’re familiar with local movies, I presume. And with local actresses.

"Very limited, but to a certain extent."

If and when, who would you like to do love scenes with?

"I honestly don’t know, maybe because I don’t see myself being in a movie anytime soon."

Are you vain, as most good-looking guys are?

"Is that the way it has to be? I don’t know, it depends on your definition of ‘vain,’ you know."

Well, maybe standing before the mirror and admiring yourself.

(Jokingly) "Well, I try not to do that frequently."

Which part of your body is your favorite?

"I can’t think of any. But I can tell you what I don’t like."

If you were to change any part of your body, what would it be?

"Well, I guess I have to put on more weight (present weight is 174 lbs.). I wouldn’t like to be so lanky; it doesn’t appeal to me."

Being a Bench model, you have to be constantly in good shape. How do you do it?

"Mostly sports. Playing basketball, tennis. Track and field. Nothing specific."

In some of the Bench ads, you bare from the waist up. Are you comfortable baring your body (at least part of it)?

"At first, I was ill at ease. I hadn’t been exposed to the industry at that time because I just got back to the Philippines. I didn’t know how things really work out. When I was told to do it, I was wary and nervous. I wasn’t sure of myself."

How was Bench able to get you as a model? Did it give you an offer you couldn’t refuse, to the tune of... how much?

"Literally? By just calling me up."

Was the talent fee a big factor?

"Not really. I was looking at the experience, the company and the people. They are very good people to work with."

Are you a party animal?

"Well, not really, I’d rather hang out with my friends at home. Or we play basketball."

Does being Borgy, er, Martin Marcos Manotoc help easily attract girls?

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! People always ask me the same question. I don’t know; I don’t see it that way."

Do you have a girlfriend now?

"No."

But you have had girlfriends, I'm sure.

"Yes, of course."

How many so far?

"I can’t remember."

What sort of girls would catch your attention?

"I don’t really look for certain things. Height, maybe. It helps when she’s tall because, well, I’m tall. I like light-colored eyes and dark hair."

Lower? Where do your eyes stop when you’re looking at a girl?

"Where do my eyes stop? If she looks away, then I stop."

Have you ever been broken-hearted?

"Yes, of course. Many times."

Has any girl ever turned you down?

"Yes, of course. Many times."

So it also happens to a Borgy, er, Martin Marcos Manotoc?

"And why shouldn’t it?"

When you like a girl, do you make the first move or just wait for her to, well, notice it?

"I tell you, I’m reasonably passive. I’m not so aggressive."

How do you deal with over-aggressive girls?

"I try and understand where they’re coming from and what their intentions are. That’s really the key, you know. What their motives are. You know, do they have any hidden agenda?"

You’re careful, I suppose.

"I have to be."

We all know what happened to your parents... Now, don’t you have any phobia for marriage?

"No. Of course, not! I understand what happened to them. They explained it to me, to us children. They told us everything; they never hid anything from us. But personally, not because I have any phobia for marriage or something, I don’t want to get married too soon. Definitely not in the next 10 years. I don’t even have a girlfriend yet!"

I heard that you’re spiritual, very religious. Is that so? Do you pray a lot?

"I’m religious in the sense that I believe that there’s a Super Power overlooking all of us. I don’t go to church a lot. Maybe it had something to do with the places I grew up in. In Singapore, for instance, they don’t really practise religion the way we do here. It’s more one-on-one with the Super Power, not a public thing."

If that Super Power is before you now, what would you tell or ask Him?

"I have millions of questions to ask Him. One of them? Yes: What’s my purpose in being here?"