Body Talk with JR Valentin

If Funfare were to give its own award for New Actor of the Year (2005), JR Valentin would win hands down. He was a natural in his performance as the friendly cop Kuya Victor in the digital/indie film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, which won Best Picture in the First Film Category at the 2005 Montreal International Film Festival), produced and directed by Aureus Solito, with co-star Nathan Lopez (as the gay adolescent who gets infatuated with the handsome cop) perhaps as co-winner of the same award.

JR (who won’t reveal his real surname because, he joked, "it doesn’t smell good") is perfect for the role. He stands 6’3", weighs 180 lbs., has regained his 32-inch waistline, and wears XL-sized shirts and size 13 shoes.

How did he prepare for the role?

"I have a friend who’s a policeman," said JR. "I also observed cops at work. I had to put on 20 pounds and weighed 195 lbs. when shooting started. My waistline was 34 inches. After the movie, I started to look at cops in a different way, in a more positive light."

Before Maximo Oliveros, JR was a high school student (University of Cebu) in Cebu City where he transferred from the Divine Life Academy (elementary grades) in Las Piñas City. "My mom kasi moved her business to Cebu, so I went with her," said JR who is one of three children. In 1999, at age 17, he won as Mr. SM Cebu and, the next year, as Mr. Bodyshot which launched him as a ramp model.

His first movie was Seiko Films’ Bridal Shower (a 2003 Metro Filmfest entry) where he played a rich guy whom Francine Prieto married.

What sort of diet do you follow?

"I eat anything but I avoid oily and fatty food. I eat mostly fish. But I don’t eat shrimp. Bad for me because I’m asthmatic."

Favorite fruit?

"Manggang hilaw."

What workout do you do?

"I jog and swim. I also play basketball. I was a reserved player in our school’s basketball team. When I exercise regularly, I don’t get asthma attacks."

What’s the disadvantage of a 6’3" tall guy?

"Mahirap mag-hanap ng babae."

Are you clean-living?

"In a way."

Do you drink?

"Yes. I drink beer. The most I can finish in one sitting is four bottles."

Do you smoke?

"I used to. Bad for my asthma."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My shoulders. They are wide and nicely-formed."

What part is the most vulnerable?

"My back. It aches when I’m tired."

And what part do you think needs some improvement?

"My legs. I have ‘chicken legs,’ so I do a lot of squat exercises."

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

"The face, especially the eyes."

What other qualities do you want in a girl?

"She must be sexy, must have a nice butt and nice complexion."

And what turns you off?

"Girls with too much makeup."

How do you cope with stress?

"I get a whole-body massage."

What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?

"Vitamin C and Centrum."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"Cebu. Because that’s where my friend is. And it has beautiful beaches."

How’s your nightlife?

"Not much these days. Before, I used to go to bars in Makati and Alabang. But basically, I’m a homebody. I’m not a partygoer."

How’s your love life?

"Okay – so far."

Sex life?

"Secret!"

How much sleep do you get per night?

"At least eight hours."

What’s your favorite sleep wear?

"Boxer shorts."

How much liquid do you take per day?

"Lots of water. Not much soda. Not even coffee. My favorite is calamansi juice."

Are you vain like most good-looking guys?

"No, I’m not."

How long does it take you to fix yourself?

"Thirty minutes at most, from showering to dressing up."

Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?

"Iya Villania. Ganda ng face niya, di ba?"

Do you read books?

"Not so much."

What kind of movies do you watch?

"Action and adventure movies."

Last movie that you saw?

"Narnia."

Do you apply anything on your face?

"Eskinol Masters, a facial cleansing lotion."

Favorite cologne?

"Clinique or Hugo Boss."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"Drink milk. It puts me to sleep fast. Sometimes kasi, I suffer from insomnia."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"Drink a glass of water."

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

"Brad Pitt, my idol. Colin Farrell. Tom Cruise."

And three women...

"Iya Villania, of course! Charlize Theron. Cindy Kurleto."

Using body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire/like her?

"Oh, I just look and look at her. Malalaman na niya ‘yon."

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