Enchong Dee's star shines even outside showbiz

When young actor Enchong Dee came to Cebu early this year for a fashion show, he divulged to interviewers that his ultimate showbiz crush was Gretchen Barretto.

"I look up to Gretchen and I would really like to work with her. I was able to have breakfast kasi with her one time and I'm proud to have shared the same table with her. And I think she knows. I told her that I admire her because she's nice and straightforward," he said.

The 21-year-old heartthrob's wish has come true. After starring in the high-rating series "Tanging Yaman" with constant screen partner Erich Gonzales, Enchong will be seen next in ABS-CBN's upcoming primetime soap, "Magkaribal", where he will be working alongside La Greta and paired for the first time with Bea Alonzo.

"Magkaribal" is the same project that was supposedly cooked up for Gretchen and her younger sister Claudine, but the latter's transfer to GMA 7 killed the chance of what could have been an exciting on-screen drama between the Barretto sisters. Bea jumps into the role originally meant for Claudine.

Asked if he was the type who fancies older women to girls his age, Enchong replied: "Not really, but I don't set them [older women] aside."

Unfortunately for the Kapamilya leading man, self-proclamations of him admiring a woman and having had two non-showbiz girlfriends in the past have not put to rest relentless rumors of him being gay. Just recently, a photo of him and a fellow swimmer was spread online, with captions claiming the other boy was Enchong's boyfriend. Aware that his sexuality has long been a subject of doubt, he chooses to be unaffected, resting on the fact that he is secure of his preference and that any public attention, whether good or bad, is still free publicity for him.

"They're very funny. I don't know where they get those ridiculous stuff," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's still publicity wherever you go. I'm still thankful for them because every now and then, they notice me, they watch me, they talk about me. Bahala na sila.”

It looks like he has no time to get bummed out by these allegations because his station is keeping the Bench model occupied. Aside from a solo TV project, "Agimat: Mga Alamat Ni Ramon Revilla Presents Boy Putik", Enchong has two Star Cinema films lined up this year. The first will be the Laurice Guillen-helmed movie "Sa 'Yo Lamang" with Lorna Tolentino, Coco Martin, Erich Gonzales and Bea Alonzo.

Enchong was part of the Philippine national swim team and has participated in the SEA Games and 2006 Asian Games, winning 400 medals so far. He also managed to earn a degree in Political Science with a major in Developmental Studies at De La Salle University in Manila.

The athlete/model/actor spoke of his sport, beginnings, aspirations and how he once craved for attention in his family.

On how he got into showbiz: "It was all because of swimming. After the SEA Games, there were people who wanted to take a picture with me. People from Bench saw me in a picture that was published in a newspaper and they got me for a Bench fashion show. They also brought me to Star Magic. After that meeting with Star Magic agents, I got a call that night and was told that I was going to have a show in ABS-CBN, so better be prepared and start going to workshops. Next thing I know, everything turned out to how it is right now."

On HIS biggest adjustment since becoming hot ABS-CBN property: "The sleeping time. It was hard for me because I was used to waking up at 5 am but taping usually ends by 4am. I didn't know when to put my resting period."

On what acting genre he'd like to be known for: "Definitely not action. Siguro something like Kuya John Lloyd. He can be serious, he can also be a comedian, just like the performances he gives with the Kanto Boys. Every time I see him in ASAP during their rehearsals, he's very funny. I'd see another move that only he can do."

On his on-screen partner Erich: "We are the best of friends. There are so many things that are happening in our lives right now, especially with our careers. It's very hard for us to get ourselves in a romantic relationship. There are a lot of projects lined up and if you put yourself into that commitment, your work will be affected especially if you have problems in your relationship."

On his family background: "I was born and raised in Naga City in Bicol. It was only in 2005 when I came to Manila to study for college. My mom is originally from Bulacan and my dad is from Manila. My mom had a poultry business in Naga while my dad works for a pharmaceutical company."

On what drove him to be an achiever: "When I was a kid, I wanted my parents to notice me---you know, the middle child syndrome. I did so by studying harder so positive ang result."

On how swimming did good for him and his family: "My older brother AJ is also a swimmer. My parents saw that it was fun being in sports. You not only get your education for free but you also get the discipline. Swimming is not an ability you are born with, it's something that you learn by training hard. I think that's how I got to avoid vices, because of swimming. There's too much discipline. You have to sleep early, you don't smoke and drink. And I also don't see the fun in doing those stuff."

On what he would have landed had he not become an actor: "My degree allows me to work as a consultant. It's now in-demand in the country. We can work for private firms and also for political personalities. When I graduated, my initial plan was to be an executive in ABS-CBN but things happen. So far, I'm enjoying where I am now. I just wanna ride the river wherever it takes me."

On being more successful than his elder brother AJ Dee who joined showbiz first: "He's in the other network. We rarely talk though because of our schedules. There are a lot of instances that we have been compared. It's very hard because me and my kuya are very close. He was the one who oriented me on a lot of things when it comes to showbiz. He always reminds me that no matter what appears in the papers, sometimes you have to listen to it. They may be saying something right, they may be saying something that you should listen to. He's very supportive in everything that I do."

On what he does with his money: "I save it. I am very much practical with what I earn especially nowadays when life is so hard. When I buy something, I think twice and make sure it's a necessity. Two years ago, I bought my own van, somewhere I can put my own bed so I can sleep during tapings. Hopefully this year or next, I can buy my own house. If not, then I'm going to put up my own business. Something to do with land."

On who keeps him from turning into a swellhead: "The people that surround me keep me grounded. They constantly remind me that I am still Enchong the swimmer, the student, the son. You have to keep in mind that it's the people who brought you to where you're at so better be nice to everyone. It also helps that I go to church every Sunday since it's a rule in our family."