Unlike father, unlike son

Being the son of Dennis Roldan (and former Pitoy Moreno model Lollie Imperial) can be challenging to Marco Gumabao (using his dad’s real surname). He has seven siblings, four of them full (including athlete Michelle) and three half (with three different moms).

“I’m okay with all of them,” said Marco. “We are close.”

Every time (once a month) he visits his father at the National Penitentiary, Marco exchanges as many stories as he can during the two hours that visitors are allowed inside, except a few months ago when his dad was hospitalized for a month after undergoing stomach surgery when he checked on him as often as he could.

“He always reminds me to pray,” said Marco, “to ask God for guidance, to leave everything to God,” adding, “what a father does shouldn’t reflect on his son. Iba si Daddy iba rin ako.”

Except for Bakit Bughaw ang Langit, a poignant story about a mentally-challenged man directed by Mario O’Hara, Marco regrets that he hasn’t seen Dennis’ other movies (Salome, etc.).

“He’s very good in that movie,” noted Marco. “I should watch his other movies but I don’t know where to find the copies.” After being a Star Magic talent, Marco recently signed a contract with the Viva Group of Companies which is casting him as the third wheel in the next JaDine movie.

A Leo (Aug. 14, 1994), Marco stands 5’11”; weighs 165 lbs.; and wears medium-size shirt, large-size briefs and size-10 shoes. He studied at Ateneo from prep school to high school, and was college sophomore (AB Psychology, La Salle) when he temporarily quit his studies to focus on showbiz. Showbiz is in his genes. Aside from Dennis, Marco’s other showbiz relatives include his aunt Isabel Rivas, TV girl Gretchen Fullido, former Eat, Bulaga co-host (Bb. Pilipinas-World) Kristine Florendo, and one-time Miss Press Photography Sylvia Gumabao.

What kind of diet do you follow?

“No white rice, just brown rice. I take the diet food delivered to the house every day, consisting of two viands, usually chicken or beef. I usually eat a full breakfast since I burn the calories the whole day. I eat less and less for lunch and dinner, salad or chicken breast with no more carbo.”

Snacks?

“Like my mom, malakas ako sa chichiria, ‘yung mga local brands like Piattos and Oishi. Yes, pizza. I’m getting addicted to salted-eggs chips (which originated in Singapore).”

How much water do you take per day?

“I try to drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day. Not much of soft drinks.”

What about hard drinks?

“Occasionally.”

Vitamins that you’re taking?

“Multi-vitamins, usually ‘yung vitamins for sport that I buy from GNC. Also, Front Row products.”

What workout do you do?
“I work out five times a week. I wake up early, around 7 o’clock, and jog around our village (Filinvest). I also play basketball. I do martial arts.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“My legs, payat eh! Kahit anong gawin ko parang ayaw lumaki.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My knees.”

What part is your favorite?

“You want a ‘wholesome’ answer? My jaw, ang panga ko.”

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

“Other guys first look at the boobs or the butt, but I prefer the face. I like the tisay type, ‘yung matangos ang ilong.”

What’s in a girl that turns you off?

“Yung parang palengkera magsalita.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“It takes time, about one to two hours, for me to go to sleep but once I’m asleep, tuluy-tuloy for as long as 10 to 12 hours without waking up to pee.”

No need for any sleep aid?

“I tried Melatonin once but I stopped na. I don’t want to rely on it.”

Do you snore?

“No. I’m a light sleeper.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“Yes, twice or thrice.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Five pillows.”

With the aircon turned on full blast?

“Usually.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“A checkered comfy shirt. Dami kong ganyan. I used to sleep topless but I stopped doing it already because I would easily catch cold.”

Never in the nude?

“Sometimes…when I’m with a girl. Hahaha!!!”

Last thing that he does before he goes to sleep?

“I read the Bible. Like my dad, all our family is Christian now.”

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“Crack my bones, especially my back, because I usually sleep curled up.”

How’s your nightlife?

“Masaya! That’s my joy…going out with friends. I keep a good company. Mababait ang friends ko. You haven’t heard of me getting into trouble, have you?”

Love life?

“None.” (He admitted to have had two girlfriends, a non-showbiz girl and the other was theater actress Tippy dos Santos with whom he broke up three years ago.)

Sex life?

“Okey naman, hahaha!!!!”

How do you cope with stress?

“Hindi ako ma-stress na tao; I don’t let stress or problems affect me. I think positive.”

Favorite city?

“Sa San Francisco and L.A. Last May, I stayed with my uncle (mom’s brother) during a vacation in San Francisco.”

Favorite hideaway?

“Beach…with friends. I’m not a loner.”

Three women that you think have nice bodies?

“Maja Salvador, Ellen Adarna and Alexandra Daddario (in Baywatch). She’s my celfone’s wallpaper.”

Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?

“I only smile at her. I don’t wink at her kasi parang maniac ang dating ng ganoon.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)