RICKY LO: BODY TALK WITH MANNY VILLAR


[PHOTO AT LEFT - Photo is loading... SENATOR MANNY VILLAR]

MANILA, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Asked if he has ever undergone a major surgery, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar (with Sen. Loren Legarda as running mate) said no, never, except perhaps when he was circumcised (not so major, that!) although he didn’t say when. That “incisive” question sort of kicks off this special Body Talk series which will feature the presidentiables to find out how fit they are. Each of the aspirants will be given equal time, equal space and equal exposure, starting with Villar who visited The STAR last Monday for a three-hour interview with the section editors on various topics, ranging from the economy, environment, health, foreign affairs, education and, that’s it, how he takes care of his mind and body.

He is married to Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Aguilar Villar with whom he has three children.

Do you have a temper?

“I’m a very cool person. I will not say naman that I never lose my temper pero sa tingin ko, compared to other people I’m very cool.”

What makes you angry?

“Hindi masyado. When I’m hungry, I get easily angry. Hehehehe! But after all the problems and the crises that I’ve been through...marami na akong na-overcome...hindi na ako masyadong nagagalit.”

How do you unwind?

“At home at night, konting red wine with sweet music and Cynthia beside me, kwentuhan kami. Or often, just exchanging pleasantries with friends. Sometimes, I hang out with friends at the lobby of The Peninsula late evenings. We listen to the sound of the sax, which is very soothing, with one shot of cognac or red wine. Nakaka-relax.”

How do you divide your time between family and work?

“I’m good at time management. If your family is involved with your work, you are able to spend time with them; no need to set aside time only for work and time only for the family. Kung kasama mo sila sa ginagawa mo, like Cynthia and me, kasama mo sila every hour on the hour. We are together in business and in politics. If I quit politics, she also quits politics.”

When did you have your last executive check-up?

“Recently. I have regular executive check-up. My blood pressure is 120/80; kapag mainit ang ulo ko, 120/90. My blood sugar is okay. Everything is okay.”

Are you taking any medications and/or vitamins?

“Well, I take Lipitor for my cholesterol. And lots of vitamins, mostly C. Maraming nagri-recommend sa akin and I try them all.”

What kind of diet do you follow?

“Nothing fixed. But I try to maintain my weight as much as possible. My present weight is 184 lbs., good enough for my height, 5’9”.

What’s usually for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner, and snacks in between?

“Hindi ako masyado. When I eat a very good meal, I try to compensate by eating a spartan meal para balanced, puro gulay lang na steamed. Bina-balanse ko so that I can also eat ‘yung mga masasarap.”

Do you work out?

“Yes, I do, regularly. I have my own gym at home. I do the treadmill a minimum of three times a week. I do mostly cardio exercises.”

Any part of your body that needs improvement?

“None. I’m happy with my body.”

Is it true na nagpa-Botox ka?

“Alam mo, marami talaga nai-inggit. You can apply many things on your face without resorting to that. You know, maghintay ka lang sa mga hindi nagagamit ni misis, okay na. I think that’s one of my advantages — I have good skin.”

Do you catch your breath when you go up the stairs, say, to the fifth floor?

“Okay naman. I do, konti. I won’t say walang epekto sa akin pero hindi naman ‘yung humihingal. My office is on the fifth floor so I prefer going up the stairs to taking the elevator.”

How do you cope with stress?

“’Yung exercise ko sa umaga is to relieve stress. But mainly, I unwind sa gabi with, as I’ve said, konting wine and sweet music.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“A, okay naman. I sleep soundly. I don’t need sleeping pills. If I lack sleep, I take power naps, like kanina when I slept throughout the flight from Hong Kong. Or I sleep in the car. I even drink coffee before bedtime. Di ba ‘yung iba hindi makatulog if they drink coffee. Ako, okay lang. I used to be a heavy coffee drinker but now I drink mostly tea.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“Pajamas. Madali kasi akong malamigan, eh. Or, kapag walang aircon, briefs lang.”

Do you snore?

“Yes, a little.”

Doesn’t it bother Cynthia?

“Not really. Hindi naman kasi grabe, eh. I snore only when I’m very tired, but very seldom.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“No, I don’t.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“No, I don’t.”

The last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I watch TV but I never finish it. Nakakatulugan ko. Usually HBO or Cinemax. Palipat-lipat.”

Do you watch pirated DVDs?

“I just don’t ask. Hehehehe!”

The first thing that you do when you wake up?

“Go to the bathroom.”

What was the last movie that you saw?

“Avatar on 3D.”

What’s your outlook in life? Are you a worrier or an optimist?

“I’m not a worrier. Nothing is perfect in this world, so why worry? I have learned to accept the realities. Nobody is perfect. Walang taong walang bahid. Diyos lang ang walang bahid. I am very realistic. If, like me, napalaban ka sa mga difficulties, you can’t help but being realistic.”

How’s your sex life?

“Okay naman. I have no complaint. I am happy with what I have now.”

What do you like most about yourself?

“I don’t know. It’s hard to say.”

And what, if any, don’t you like about yourself? Are you gullible, a sucker for sob stories?

“You know, in this life you must keep on improving. Kung ano ang nakikita mong weakness mo, you address it at once. Noong bata ako, I was very shy...well, up to now naman. But I try hard to overcome it. Dati, takot ako sumakay ng eroplano. But I overcame it by flying frequently maski na pinapawisan ako.”

How do you pray and how often do you do it?

“I pray as often as I can.”

Any favorite saint?

“No, none. Hindi ako mahilig sa saints. I pray directly to God. Sina Cynthia, they are Christians.”

Who’s your model, somebody you look up to?

“My mother. She brought us up very well. And my father, too. ‘Yung pagka-statesman, I admire Nelson Mandela. He was jailed for a long time but when the time came to unite his country, he didn’t have any problem mixing with the white people na nagpakulong sa kanya.”

If you were an animal, what would you be?

“According to the Chinese calendar, I am an Ox. But if I were to be an animal, since I’m sipag at tiyaga, more of pang-marathon instead of sprint, I would be a horse. I look at things for the long term, not just tomorrow but far beyond it.”

If your life story were made into a movie, who would you choose to play Manny Villar?

“Hindi ako masyadong particular d’un. I’d rather play myself. I would listen to advice who would be like me.”

How many leading ladies would there be?

“Isa lang. Kaya lang ayokong gawing pelikula ang buhay ko, eh. Very boring. Only one leading lady.”