A ‘threat’ to KathNiel tandem?

Signs that a new face is well on his way to stardom:

1. He’s rumored to be the boytoy of a filthy rich gay;

2. He has sired a child out of wedlock; and/or

3. He’s being bashed relentlessly.

Newcomer Tony Labrusca is neither No. 1 and No. 2; but, yes, he’s the target of bashers only because in La Luna Sangre, the Twilight-reminiscent Kapamilya teleserye which marks his acting debut, Tony as Jake is so effective as the third wheel of the KathNiel tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla that the duo’s fans just couldn’t take it…sitting down…so they storm the social media with killer words against poor Tony.

The bashers really have a reason to be “threatened.” Tony is as macho as mucho-macho guys come, packed-full with star appeal and a veritable head-turner, never mind if he didn’t top the Kapamilya talent search Pinoy Boyband Superstar (it was his mom, Angel Jones [former member of the ’90s hip-hop trio Kulay], who pushed him into joining; his father is actor Boom Labrusca).

A Leo (Aug. 7, 1995), Tony comes from, as he put it, “colorful family” with mixed Filipino, Hispanic and Afro-American blood. He stands 5’10”; weighs 145 lbs.; and wears medium-sized shirt, medium-sized boxers and size-9 shoes. His most prominent face mark is a mole right below his nose. Ask your neighborhood manghuhula and he’d tell you that it foretells big things on the way.

“I’m a very spontaneous guy,” Tony told Funfare. “I love doing random things and when I come up with an idea, I love to get it done right away. I’m always down for a new adventure.”

The bashing at first upset him, according to Tony.

“I felt so overwhelmed because I’ve never had to deal with bashing like that before,” he admitted. “But I just reminded myself about the industry I was getting myself into and I focused my attention on all my supporters instead of worrying about the bashers.”

In the next breath, he admitted being slow when it comes to social media.

 “I used to only have Facebook and Instagram, and just started a Twitter (account) when I joined Pinoy Boyband Superstar because it was required. I’m getting better at social media, though, and I’m learning to keep up, hahahaha!!!”

Despite the bashers, Tony continues to have a pleasant relationship on the set with Daniel and Kathryn.

“I actually don’t get to see Daniel too often because we are still at the part of the story where Daniel and me don’t know each other. However, the times I’ve gotten a chance to talk to him he’s been very friendly. I’ve been able to bond with Kathryn more, though, and she’s also really friendly.”

Music is his passion and acting is quite new to him. He attended an acting workshop for newbies, but felt so shy around stars that he found himself struggling in the class. And yet, he bagged the Sangre part, hands down.

“I was called to audition for a show at ABS one day and when I went, I was just told that the character I was auditioning for was the third wheel to a love team. I just went with the flow and did my best. The next day, I was told direk Cathy (Garcia-Molina) herself wanted to see me audition again.

“So I went and I performed my audition and she was just very kind, she smiled and made a few jokes. I thought I did terrible and knew I lacked in my acting skills so I just decided to move on and not expect to get a call. But about two months later, I got a call for a look test and next thing I knew we were taping na!”

His experience with Boyband definitely helps now that he is in.

“The boys and me were taught a lot about how showbiz works and what to expect and how to be respectful, and I took that and I use it on set at work in La Luna Sangre. Boyband was a stepping stone for me. I wouldn’t be here without it.”

Also in a Wattpad show on TV5, Tony said that he doesn’t have any exclusive contract with any network, although he has a talent management contract with Star Magic, co-managed by Mario Colmenares.

What’s your regular diet?

“No diet, LOL.”

What’s usually for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner?

“I don’t eat breakfast, hahaha!!! Other than that, I’m not picky with lunch and dinner, just no seafood or fish.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Not too much; I love soda too much.”

What vitamins or supplements are you taking?

“Multi-vitamins are a must. I also throw in vitamin C and B-Complex.”

Food that you avoid; favorite food.

“Again, I just don’t eat fish or seafood. My taste buds aren’t too fond of those two. I love sinigang na baboy extra asim.”

What workout do you do?

“Not really workouts but more physical activity. I use gymnastics as my workout.”

Any favorite sport?

“Gymnastics.”

Any part of your body that needs improvement?

“Legs and biceps.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My eyes.”

And what part is your favorite?

“Does my smile count? If not, then I would say my abs.”

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

“Her figure; if she has an hourglass shape, etc.”

What else about a girl turns you on?

“Intelligence.”

And what turns you off?

“Cussing.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“On taping days, three to four hours; on days off, eight hours.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Shorts, no shirt.”

Do you ever sleep in the nude?

“Not really.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I play Everwing, hahahaha!”

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

“Check to see who messaged me.”

Do you snore?

“If I’m really, really tired, my friends have told me that I snore lightly like a cat. It’s weird, hahaha!!!”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“Nope.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“Never.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

”One by my head and the other that I hug between my legs.”

How’s your nightlife?

“Great! Well, depends what you would consider great. But since I’m working all the time, a nightout for me is spending time with friends, having great talk and catching up. It’s better than getting drunk at the club.”

How’s your love life? Do you have a girlfriend?

“I’m so young. There’s all the time in the world for that later. I want to focus on my career now so that I can spoil my girlfriend when I end up getting one.”

How do you cope with stress?

”I pray, and then I play video games, hahahaha!!!”

Favorite city?

“BGC/Makati.”

Favorite hideaway?

”A secret rooftop along Chino Roces Ave. that me and my friends like to sneak into once in a while.”

Three women that you think have nice bodies.

“Arci Muñoz, Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner.”

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

“I hug her from behind, intertwine my hands with hers and press my face against hers.”

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