ACTOR
Richard Gomez, Goma to close friends, associates,
movie writers and fans, needs no introduction.
He’s the Robert Jaworski of local showbiz – everyone
including his dog knows him. More than that, every
Juan and his Juanita share strong opinions about
the guy because he aspires to be in your face every
chance he gets.
Goma
made his name as a dramatic actor, squiring in
his arms onscreen and off-screen, a virtual galaxy
of stunning leading ladies from Sharon Cuneta to
Dawn Zulueta. He carved his own niche in fencing,
romping off with two silver medals in the 1997
Southeast Asian Games. His derring-do as a youthful
go-karter has now given way to the more mature
passion for cars – fast luxury cars.
In 1998, Newsweek honored him as one of Asia’s trend makers. The international
magazine cited the impact of Goma’s varied achievements in re-shaping
the notion of a Filipino superstar. The accolade stopped short of placing him
on the same league as the then smashingly popular Tom Cruise.
In 1992, Goma was awarded the Most Outstanding Student of the University of
the Philippines while enrolled as a Mass Comm student. Recently, Congress appointed
him Senior Consultant and Adviser on anti-drugs and narcotics concerns.
Richard is now cruising at the prime age of 40, but he isn’t likely to
play father, not even uncle, to star-struck wannabes in warring TV stations.
Let’s face it: he’s the kind of Peter Pan young men and women hope
to be. Naturally, there’s a celebrity-bashing side of us that wants to
believe that behind Goma’s ruggedly handsome face lurks an airhead.
Goma, of course, continues to dabble in politics. Were it not for a technicality,
he would have snatched a seat in Congress as an independent under an anti-drug
agenda. Not wont to lick his wounds, he attended instead to building his war
chest for future battles by simply being around for almost three times a week
via a clutch of TV shows and amped his ubiquity by appearing in those stylish
Bench billboards – singly or with his equally photogenic wife, Lucy Torres.
Until we did our research, we never knew Goma had nationalist blood coursing
through his veins. His great, great grandfather, Dr. Dominador Gomez, was one
of the Filipino ilustrados behind the La Solidaridad movement that proposed
progressive reforms from Spain during the 1880s. Dr. Gomez would later gain
preeminence as the “father of the Philippine labor movement.” Of
course, such lineage rankled KMU’s progressive posturing and declared
non-support for Goma’s Senate bid.
We caught up with him at GMA’s Sunday variety show, SOP, to take full
measure of the man behind the chismoso in S-Files, the hunk in Lagot Ka, Isusumbong
Kita and Bench ads, and the dreamboat he has become to a generation of moviegoers.
We actually came to play and minus political baggage, he played along with
us.
During the interview, Goma constantly turned his head around to scan a regular
parade of young giggling girls. It must be a great vice for someone who looks,
moves and talks like the eternal Pinoy Valentino.
PERSONAL
PROFILE
What
your idea of perfect happiness?
Being with my family on a vacation,
What
is your greatest fear?
Losing everything I have, especially my family.
Among
our heroes, who do you most identify with?
Probably, Jose Rizal. My great, great grandfather, Dr. Dominador Gomez, was
part of the same La Solidaridad movement of progressive ilustrados in Europe
during the 1880s.
What
is your favorite place in the Philippines?
Boracay and Batanes.
Where
would you like to travel?
Paris and Italy.
Where
would you rather be today?
On a beach, in Boracay
Who
is the greatest love of your life?
My wife! I married her, di ba?
When
and where was your happiest moments in life?
When Juliana was born and during our honeymoon.
What
was your saddest one?
When my lola passed away.
What
is the most discussed asset in your body?
My legs and my eyes.
What
qualities do you like best in another man?
Number one for me is honesty. I also like to be with people who are objective,
opinionated. I’d like to hear their ideas, eh. Hirap nung you’re
with your friends and you talk about nothing. I’d rather be with someone
to exchange ideas with.
What
qualities in a woman other than your great-looking
wife?
Siguro, her honesty and sincerity. ‘Pag sincere ang tao, it’s hard
to lie. You’re not ashamed to tell her the truth.
What
do you value most in your friends?
I value their loyalty, and their trust.
Who
are your favorite politicians?
Former Senator Kit Tatad is one of my favorites. Among foreign leaders, I admire
JFK, John F. Kennedy
Who
is your favorite fictional character?
Superman!
What
was the last book you read?
I’m into cooking lately so I’m into cookbooks. I’ve just
bought some books on political leaders.
What
was the last record you listened to all the way?
The last album from U2.
How
would like to die?
In my sleep. I don’t want a horrible death. I wanna go quietly.
And
if you were to come back from the dead, what and
where would you be?
I’d like to be myself again to improve on my own life.
Slum
book o slam dunk
Favorite
dishes: Adobo and pasta
Favorite colors: Blue and yellow
Favorite perfume: Simple cologne
Favorite Get-up: Jeans
Favorite sports: Fencing, always
Favorite film: Local, Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit; Foreign movie would be Full
Metal Jacket by Stanley Kubrick. Hayup yun!
Favorite co-stars: Sharon Cuneta, Dawn Zulueta
Number of girlfriends before settling down: Not that many
Age when you lost your virginity: Very young, high school pa lang ako.
Age when you first felt like the man you are now: High school.
Next big purchase: I’m choosing between an Audi A8 and a Porsche GD3
Choose
Your Wild
Meat
o vegetable? Vegetable
Eraseherheads o Rivermaya? Eraserheads
Pop o rock? Rock
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Honor or glory? Honor
Shet o P. I. mo? Putanginamo!
Maya o Lawin? Lawin
Read the book or see the movie? See a movie
Baril o balisong? Baril
Ass o boobs? Boobs
Mukha o katawan? Katawan
At work or at play? At play
In bed or on the road? On the road
Basketball o chess? Chess
San Miguel o Ginebra? Ginebra
Pera o Bayong? “Life is a box of chocolates. You’ll never know
what’s in there” |
