Body Talk with Polo Ravales

The night before this interview, Polo Ravales shot a love scene (read: lips to lips) with Luis Alandy for Regal Films’ Manay Po (some kind of a spoof of the company’s hit Mano Po trilogy) in which they play gays along with co-stars John Prats and Jiro Manio.

"I am the closet gay, John the loud gay and Jiro the confused gay," said Polo who’s making a grand comeback via Manay Po (after doing a co-starring role in Blue Moon, Regal’s entry in last December’s Metro Filmfest). "I felt uneasy during the shooting, medyo naiilang, but I have such faith and trust in our director, Joel Lamangan, that I soon felt relaxed. There was a rehearsal – you know, blocking and all – but Luis and I kissed only during the take."

It was Polo’s second "for art’s sake" lip service with another man, the first having been with Christian Vasquez in the repeat presentation of the hit revue Penis Talks.

This new local-showbiz trend in "male bonding" is, no doubt, inspired by the Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as gay lovers) which was a worldwide critical and commercial hit.

Asked if he had been kissed by another man off camera, Polo said, "Not yet."

Isn’t he worried that the Manay Po role would stick a "stigma" to his name?

"No, not at all," assured Polo who added that he’s sure and secure with his sexuality. "Besides Manay Po, I’m doing another movie, The Manny Pacquiao Story, where I play the boxer-brother of Pacquiao (played by Jericho Rosales, with Bea Alonzo as the leading lady playing Pacquiao’s wife Jinky). "I agree with the opinion of my manager, Manny Valera, that I should start playing mature roles. And, as I’ve said, with a respected director like Joel Lamangan, I don’t think I can go wrong."

Now 23, Polo started at age 15 with Viva Films as Sunshine Dizon’s loveteam-mate. After seven years, he faded out of the showbiz scene when Viva cut down on movie production and he had a hard time squeezing himself into the GMA 7 territory which was then packed full with new talents.

"At that time, I was playing tweetums roles," said Polo who spent a year away from the limelight taking some courses at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and body-building – with amazing results. He came back "re-invented," egged on by Manny Valera who met him by accident at the mall and encouraged him to make a comeback. You see the "new Polo Ravales" (sans baby fat) in giant billboards all over Metro Manila as endorser/image model for F&H (Folded & Hung).

In the romance department, Polo is also a winner, having "bagged" Ara Mina as a girlfriend.

"We are ‘exclusively dating’," said Polo, "but we have no commitment to each other yet."

Polo stands 5’7", weighs 156 lbs., has a 29-inch waistline, and wears medium-sized shirt and size-11 shoes.

What parts of your body did you trim down?

"Only my tummy. I used to weigh more than 160 lbs. My baby fat is gone; naging muscles na."

What sort of workout did you do or are doing?

"I do boxing at Red Corner and I lift weights at Mojo Gym. I used to work out every day. But now that I’m busy, I can do it only three or four times a week. You know, it’s harder to maintain your body than to trim it down."

What parts of your body do you think still need some improvement?

"My tummy needs some more firming up. I love to eat kasi, eh. I have to go on strict diet para litaw na litaw ang abs ko. My metabolism is slower now."

Aside from your face, what part of your body is your favorite?

"When I look at that F&H billboard on EDSA, I like my tummy now. Litaw na litaw na ang abs ko."

And what part of your "exclusive date" Ara Mina’s body do you like most (especially when he sees Ara’s "Body by Belo" billboard right across his own, also on EDSA)?

"I’m happy for her. She used to be chubby. Now, she’s sexy. I like her butt."

What kind of diet do you follow?

"When on a strict diet, I eat only steamed chicken (no skin), camote, egg whites and lettuce. I avoid pizza and pasta, and take only wheat bread."

Favorite snacks?

"I try to avoid snacks; I stay away from junk food. But I have a little problem. I have a sweet tooth and I find it hard to resist eating chocolates and waffles."

How much liquid do you take every day?

"As much as eight glasses."

Do you take vitamins or minerals?

"Not much vitamins. I take Hydrocut."

Do you drink (hard drinks)?

"Occasionally. Moderately."

How do you cope with stress?

"I go to the spa and have a massage. Or I go to Subic and jet-ski."

What’s your favorite city?

"Makati City and Quezon City."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m a very positive person. I don’t want to waste my time worrying."

How’s your nightlife?

"I go to The Embassy (in Makati City) when I’m free."

How’s your love life?

"What do you think?"

Your have flawless complexion. Do you apply anything on your face?

"None. But I apply lotion all over my body."

Favorite perfume?

"Polo Blue."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"Ten hours. I’m antukin kasi, eh."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"Pray."

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

"I look at myself in the mirror."

Are you vain like most good-looking guys?

"Not really. I’m not even pala-ayos. I simply check if I still have abs or not."

What can’t you do without?

"My watch (a Cartier)."

Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?

"Jessica Alba. I find her very sexy."

Name three women you think have nice bodies.

"First on the list is Hazel (Ara Mina), Second is Jessica Alba. And third is Halle Berry."

And three men...

"Brad Pitt. Jake Gyllenhaal. Sean William Scott."

Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire/like her?

"I touch her gently at the back, near the nape, when I talk to her."

(Note: For more on Polo Ravales and Ara Mina, and Assunta de Rossi/Jules Ledesma and Pops Fernandez/Jomari Yllana, watch Showbiz Stripped this Saturday, April 29, 11:30 p.m. on GMA 7.)

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