Same as you, same as me

They are probably the only hardcourt twins. Meet the Semerad brothers David John and Anthony Paul.

Same height (6’5”); same weight (210 lbs.); wear same size of shirt (XL), briefs (L) and shoes; and, naturally, same Zodiac signs (Taurus, born April 25, 1992). They even have the same tattoos (a Czech sign on their triceps and a Filipino sign beneath their biceps), and are taking uap the same course (Business Marketing, third year) at San Beda where they are members of the Red Lions with Anthony (No. 6) as small forward and David (No. 14) as power forward who scored 15 shots in the recent NCAA championship game (against the San Sebastian Stags), and making the last goal that helped San Beda clinch the title.

They are identical twins, so what do you expect?

They are half-Czech and half-Filipino. Their dad, Roman Semerad, is into construction and he met the twins’ mom, Evelyn David, when he was here on a business trip. The brothers were born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, where they finished elementary and high school education. They went to Czech Republic to train in basketball for one year and played with the national team. They came two years ago to pursue a college degree.

How much of them is Czech and how much is Filipino?

“Oh, 50/50,” said David, who looks a bit like Adam Sandler and talks like Adam Sandler.

The looks and the build are definitely Czech but they said they were brought up on Filipino food.

“We eat rice every day,” disclosed Anthony. “We can’t live without rice.”

The rest of the family are abroad and the twins fend for themselves without maids, doing the household chores (cleaning their pads, doing the laundry, taking out the garbage, etc.) and, yes, cooking their own food (nev er, if ever, ordering “delivery”).

Can you tell who is David and who is Anthony? Clue: David is the one at right (left photo) and Anthony is the one at left (right photo). Confusing, isn’t it? The twins are also in Bench clothing.

“We cook mostly Filipino food,” said David.

“Adobo, pansit, sinigang na bangus at tilapia, asado,” volunteered Anthony, “name a Filipino food and we cook it.”

“For variety,” added David, “we cook European food or Asian food like Chinese and Japanese.”

Do they have the same diet?

David: Yes, we usually take the same heavy meals because we have training and we go to the gym. Breakfast is usually rice, ulam, four eggs. We both love steak and we have that four times a week. We don’t really go for fried chicken.”

Their parents and only (older) sister Tanya used to be clueless who was who (especially when the twins turned their backs) but there’s a tell-tale mark: Anthony has a tiny birthmark (like a pimple that doesn’t heal) between his nose and his left eye. But for that, they are so alike, so much like two peas in a pod, that they make people think that they’re seeing double. You know: Same as you, same as me.

There’s a little difference.

“I’m more outgoing,” said David, adding as he took a side glance at Anthony, kidding, “he’s always in a bad mood.”

Like other twins, Anthony gets sick when David does.

“It’s always I who get sick first,” admitted David. “Two days later, Anthony gets sick, too. When I catch a cold, he catches a cold, too, days later. I get a tummy ache and he gets that, too. Always two days later.”

In school, they sit beside each other but no, they never copy from each other.

On the hardcourt, it’s easy to tell who’s who. Anthony is No. 6 and David is No. 14

“Sometimes we do get exactly the same grades,” said David, and sometimes when the professor would ask either to answer a question, they would look at each other and say, “No, Sir, I’m Anthony.” And the other would say, “I’m David.”

That’s the only time the professor would know who he wanted to answer the question. They have the same favorite subject: Law.

They treat each other more like friends than, that’s it, twin brothers. They share not only clothes but also confidences and secrets, but not the same room.

The twins were discovered by Arnold Vegafria (now their manager under his own ALV Talent Agency).

From the hardcourt, do they plan to cross over to showbiz like many of their colleagues?

“It’s a possibility,” said David. “Anthony and I would love to go main stream.”

Agreed Arnold, “They would make good TV hosts. Maybe they should start on television before, if they want to, they go into movies.”

Do they work out together?

David: Yes, we do. We do cardio exercises and weight-lifting.

What part of their bodies are their favorite?

David: My triceps. (Lifts sleeves, shows triceps)

Anthony: My biceps. (Shows the same)

Any part of their bodies that need improvement?

David: I would have to say…my lower abs. They need more definition.

Anthony: I have to work on my legs a bit.

What part of their bodies are vulnerable?

David: My chest. When we work out, you destroy your muscles, and you have aches and pains the next day. In the meantime, your muscles grow bigger and stronger.

Anthony: I couldn’t think of any.

What part of a girl’s body do they notice first?

David: The butt.

Anthony: The face, especially the eyes.

Who is more experienced when it comes to girls?

David: I would have to say…it’s me! Hahahahaha! I get to know girls more than Anthony does.

Anthony: That’s not true. I win more girls than he does. (Laughs, too)

And how many girls have they had?

David: Three.

Anthony: I forget!

How old were they when they lost their innocence?

David: I’m pure and clean. Hmmmm, I’d rather keep it secret.

Anthony: Like David, I’m pure and clean.

How do they deal with aggressive girls?

David: If she’s not my type, I’d just say, “I’ll be back in a second!” but I don’t show up. If she’s my type, well, that’s another story altogether.

Anthony: I act like the shy guy that I am.

What’s their type of girls?

David: Basically, she has to be outgoing, with nice personality, very relaxed like me, no stress.

Anthony: Just like what David said…

When either of them is not available for a date, do they pitch in for each other maybe without the girl knowing it?

David: It never happens. To each his own.

Anthony (Joking): Sharing is caring, so why not?

David: Come to think of it…If Anthony is not there for his girl, I can take his place.

Who’s faster with girls?

David: It’s not the speed that counts. You have to do it step by step. You have to be careful and responsible. You go from one stage to the other until you reach stage four and it’s a home run.

Anthony: David and I are pretty much the same. But if I really like the girl, I do some fast-tracking.

How’s their love life? Do they have girlfriends?

David: I’ve been single for three years. Of course, I wanna have a girlfriend but then I am focused on my school and basketball. At the end of the day, I just go home and sleep and store up energy for the next day.

Anthony: I’ve been also single for three years. At the moment, I am single to mingle. It’s fun being single!

How do they cope with stress?

David: I work out in the gym, I listen to music.

Anthony: I go to the spa, hot spa preferably, and have a full-body massage. Yes, a clean massage. I also meditate.

Who are their three crushes?

David: Anne Curtis. Denise Laurel. Paris Hilton.

Anthony: Iya Villania. Jasmine Curtis Smith. Solenn Heussaff.

Using only body language, how would they make a girl know that they admire her?

David: Smile at her and look at her straight in the eye.

Anthony: Look at her and when she looks back, I turn my head right away but I make sure that she knows that I’ve been looking at her.

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