Body Talk with Charlene Gonzalez

The family that enjoys Jollibee together, spends a happy Christmas together.

That’s the thrust of Coming Home, Jollibee’s TV commercial for Christmas featuring power couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez and their twins Andres and Atasha (who turned five last Nov. 5).

More than promoting Jollibee, Coming Home in a few seconds gives televiewers a good glimpse of how Aga and Charlene are as parents.

Said Charlene, "Aga and I are hands-on mom and dad. Even before the kids were born, Aga and I agreed to really spend more time with the kids so that later in life we wouldn’t have any regrets. These days, children grow up so fast that before you know it, ang laki-laki na nila and they don’t want to be with you anymore. So, enjoy their company as much as you can."

Do you spare the rod and spoil your children?

"I spare the rod, I don’t make palo, but I try not to spoil them. Aga and I practise the ‘reward system.’ If they do something good, we reward them and explain to them why. Or when I get mad when they do something bad, I also explain to them why. This early, Aga and I teach our kids the values of respect, sharing, trust and honesty even if maybe they don’t understand them yet, but eventually they would."

Andres and Atasha are in kindergarten, same school but separate classes.

"It has to be that way daw so they won’t grow up dependent on each other. But at home, they sleep in the same room. No, they are not the same in every way. Magka-iba ang ugali nila. Si Andres talagang ugaling lalaki at si Atasha talagang ugaling babae."

Asked in Coming Home what their Christmas wishes are, Andres said to Atasha, "We have a Daddy, we have a Mommy...what else can we ask for?"

Standing 5’8", Charlene weighs 120 lbs. just as she did when she competed in the Miss Universe Pageant in 1994 (she was among the Top Six and a Best in National Costume awardee). "Yes, I still fit into the same swimsuit I wore during the pageant and into most of my clothes (size 4 or medium; size-10 shoes, while that of Aga is only half an inch bigger)," confirmed Charlene who has also retained her Miss U vital statistics. "After giving birth, I swore that I wouldn’t buy new clothes so I worked hard to get back to my (Miss U) size."

How do you maintain such a beautiful body?

"By working out. I do the treadmill more often now, almost every day when I’m not busy, one hour each time. I used to jog around the village until my knees started hurting. I also do boxing and play badminton. If time permits, I go to the gym. I exercise more regularly now. And I feel lighter. Iba ang feeling when you exercise regularly."

You used to be, well, very "healthy" when you were a teenager.

"Yes, I was. My brother Richard (Bonnin) used to teasingly call me Miss Piggy. I was fat then."

What about Aga...is he also working out as much as you do?

"He’s working out double time in the gym because he’ll start shooting a movie in January."

What about your diet?

"I eat mostly seafoods."

What’s your favorite at Jollibee?

"Chicken Joy, Burger Yum, Jolly Spaghetti – everything on the menu. Have you tried the Chicken Fingers? Yummy!"

And Aga and the kids?

"Aga’s favorite is Chicken Joy. The kids love Chicken Joy, too."

Any other favorite food?

"I’m not a meat-eater; neither do I like fruits. I like Japanese food, Filipino food like Kare-Kare. I love to eat! Actually, I eat anything. The good thing is that I burn calories by exercising regularly."

Do you cook?

"Yes. I cook Filipino food, Italian food, Chinese food, anything!"

Is Aga choosy with food?

"No, he’s not. He’s easy to feed. He eats anything. He also loves to eat! But he’s not fond of sweets, unlike me. I have sweet tooth."

How much liquid do you take every day?

"A lot...as in A LOT! I drink one pitcher of water every morning. I bring the same pitcher-ful of water to bed. I drink a lot even before I go to sleep. It has been a habit instilled in me by my mom (Elvie Gonzalez, one-time Miss Press Photography and Bb. Pilipinas finalist). First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is drink one pitcher of water, before breakfast. It makes you live longer daw. It also makes you feel full so you don’t have to eat a lot."

What about juices or softdrinks?

"Just water. Not much juices. But coffee, yes!"

Are you taking any slimming supplements?

"No. I don’t need them."

Vitamins?

"The usual. Vitamin C and multi-vitamin. But not so much. I try to get my nutrients from food."

Are you a "medicine" kind of parent – you know, one who gives the kids medicine at the first, even the slightest symptom of a cold?

"No, I’m not. I give them medicine only when really needed. When they have cough, I give them Solmux (Which she and Aga are endorsing – RFL). It’s also good for adults."

How do you unwind?

"The whole family spends weekends in our farm in Batangas. We’ve been doing it these past five years – communing with nature, talagang family bonding. No radio, no TV. Sometimes, we sleep in a tent. We want Andres and Atasha to be active, to explore things on their own, and that’s what they do in our farm."

Your body is perfect. Is there any part that you think needs some improvement?

"It’s human nature to want more. As of now, I can’t ask for more."

And what part of Aga’s body do you think needs some improvement?

"None. He’s okay as he is. For me, he’s perfect. Of course, I’m biased."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My legs. They are long."

And what part of Aga’s body is your favorite?

"His abs. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! (Asked what part of Charlene’s body is his favorite, Aga said, ‘Every part of her!’)"

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

"My neck. And my throat. Mabilis ako magka-sore throat." (And Aga’s? His eyes. "Not many people know that his left eye is half-blind," revealed Charlene.)

Are you and Aga pillow persons?

"Yes, we sleep with so many pillows that we lose count. Basta marami."

Your favorite sleeping wear?

"Loose T-shirt. Gusto ko comfortable ako. Aga’s favorite is shorts, all-white. You know, before we sleep, we are on opposite sides of the bed but slowly we move toward each other without our knowing it. When morning comes, magka-yakap na kami. Sometimes, when Aga feels so cold, he snuggles into my side in fetus position."

Do you read in bed?

"Yes, I do. I read inspirational books. Aga watches movies on TV.

If I want to fall asleep fast, I watch along with him at opening credits pa lang inaantok na ako."

How much sleep do you get every day?

"I have to get eight hours. Aga is happy with only seven hours. I sleep longer than he does. I usually sleep before him and wake up after him."

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep.

"I pray and drink lots of water. Remember, I bring a pitcher-ful of water to my bedroom. Aga also prays before he sleeps."

First thing that you do when you wake up.

"Drink one glass of water. I go down and have my first cup of coffee with Aga while we talk. We always do that – talk. Our lines of communication are open all the time."

Favorite city?

"Athens. Ang ganda! Also, Las Vegas where we have many friends. We were there recently."

Do you apply anything on your skin?

"Yes, sunblock. My skin is sensitive to the sun. And moisturizer."

Any other beauty "secret"

"Only water. Lots of water. Good for the skin."

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Are you a worrier?

"Why worry? It will only bring you wrinkles."

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

"Aside from Aga? Brad Pitt. Hugh Jackman. Tom Cruise."

And three women...

"Jessica Alba. Halle Berry. Charlize Theron." (Note: For fear of "self-incrimination," Aga begged off from answering both questions.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])