Why Michelle feels ‘victorious’

The Michelle Madrigal that greeted us at the presscon of Regal Films’ Mano Po 5: Gua Ay Di is a far cry from the one who posed as cover girl of this month’s issue of the sexy magazine Maxim. A prim and proper cheongsam covered her from head to foot, with only a daring slit revealing her thigh.

Boyfriend Victor Neri, 12 years her senior, would have been pleased. The award-winning actor, despite his reputation for having a string of girlfriends (Angelika de la Cruz among them), is turning out to be a conservative boyfriend.

He knows that Michelle agreed to go sexy in a two-piece attire for Maxim for her career. But like the typical Alpha male, he wants no other man to even take a peek at his girlfriend’s physical assets when they’re together.

"He wants to see me to wear a polo shirt when we go out. And he always orders me to ‘fix your shirt,’ " says Michelle, amused.

Victor’s instructions to his 18-year-old girlfriend goes beyond physical appearance. He also wants her to save her money and refrain from spending it left and right.

There’s more. Victor persuades Michelle to just stay home and conserve her energy after working on a movie, a TV guesting, etc. It’s not that Victor wants it to rain on Michelle’s parade. He only means well. Victor doesn’t want his "Baby" to wear herself out. And Michelle obeys him to the letter.

"I used to go out after work," Michelle reveals how her three-month relationship with Victor has changed her lifestyle. "Now, I don’t anymore."

She has also adjusted to his taste as far as TV viewing is concerned. Even if Michelle is raring to watch a show on Etc., she gladly switches channels so her "Hon" can watch the latest business news over at Bloomberg. Result: she is slowly getting to understand the ins and outs of business (Victor runs a family business).

Far from getting irked over these orders, Michelle appreciates her boyfriend for the responsibility and sense of direction he shows.

"Victor is serious; I’m bubbly. We’re opposites but we click. I admire him for taking care of his son. He has never neglected the boy," says Michelle.

She knows not everybody sees Victor the way she does. Others call him a snob. But that’s just because he knows where he stands and shows it, explains Michelle runs to Victor’s defense. The guy is a good person deep inside, she goes on.

He read Michelle’s dialogues in Mano Po 5, where she turns sweet contravida – the assistant who secretly longs for lead star Richard Gutierrez, to the chagrin of leading lady Angel Locsin. And Victor gave Michelle his blessings to do the Metro Filmfest entry. He knows Michelle will learn a lot again from its director Joel Lamangan, who praised her for her performance in the defunct TV series Vietnam Rose, starring Maricel Soriano.

Besides, sharing the scene with the likes of Gina Alajar, Tirso Cruz III, Boots Anson-Roa and Tony Mabesa, the other stars of the movie is a chance no dedicated artist would like to miss.

What’s next for Michelle after Mano Po 5?

"I can do a sexy romantic comedy but no sexy movies, please," she begs.

Victor will surely be tickled pink.