Last Tuesday, Butch Francisco in his Starbytes column broke the story about the lingering rumor that Carlos Agassi is “dying” and on “dialysis” because his kidney has been destroyed by too much steroids. Butch was assigned to interview Carlos for last Saturday’s edition of Startalk but due to some mix-up, the one-on-one was canceled.
Finally, two days ago, to clear the unkind rumor once and for all, Carlos gave Funfare an exclusive interview at the Glorietta branch of Gold’s Gym (GG) where he works out regularly. He’s one of the hundreds of stars, local and foreign, who patronize Gold’s Gym which has, according to GG manager Tony Reyes, more than 650 outlets around the world.
Excerpts:
You look so healthy. I thought you were “dying.” You don’t look at all like you are undergoing dialysis.
“Well, as you can see, I am healthy. I’m alive! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”
And steroids-free?
“Yes, steroids-free!”
No kidney ailment?
“No kidney ailment. I’m very healthy. Knock on wood, I seldom get sick. Sa awa ng Diyos, hind pa ako nagkakasakit ilang years na; not even a fever.”
Is it true that the rumor has been going around for the past several years, but it’s only now that people are paying attention to it?
“Yes, for many years, since I started working out. Since I was 15, I’ve been developing my abs, my six packs, and people must have been suspecting that I was taking something. They don’t know that I have big bones and muscular; I am genetically gifted, maybe because I am part-Persian and part-Iranian. For years now, I’ve been working out here at Gold’s Gym every day, for one to two hours every time. I also lead a healthy life. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. And I eat healthy.”
Why do you think the rumor that you’re taking steroids is spreading?
“I take supplements but not steroids. I guess that people who are selling steroids drop the names of stars — you know, maybe they say, ‘O, si ganito at si ganyan gumagamit nito, including Carlos Agassi.’ You shouldn’t believe people selling anything na nagni-namedrop ng mga artista.”
What’s your diet?
“I eat six small meals every day, supplemented by protein shake like L-Men which I’m endorsing. I avoid fatty and oily food, and sugar. Basta, I eat healthy. I eat nilagang kamote, chicken breast and tuna, etc. But of course, working out is important.”
According to Tony Reyes, you cannot do the kind of workout you’re doing if you are undergoing dialysis or you have a kidney ailment.
“You know, more than myself, it’s my family which is badly affected by the rumor. When my mom heard about it, she was worried and was nearly-hysterical when she called me. The rumor-mongers kasi went so far as to spread the rumor that I wasn’t just ‘dying,’ they said that I was ‘dead.’ Naturally, my mom got hysterical. Kahit sino namang nanay will feel the same way, di ba?”
Aside from taking care of your body, what are you busy with these days?
“I’m in the cast of the new Enteng Kabisote movie, still with Vic Sotto in the title role, which is an entry in the Metro Filmfest in December. I’m taking care of my body because I want to be a physical culturist and an endorser of a health food or a health product or a health club like Gold’s Gym.”
Mike is more into painting than acting
Just when Mike Austria was starting to make a name as an actor, he took a U-turn and went back to his real passion — painting. It’s in his blood. His father is the famous painter, Tom D. Austria.
On Tuesday, Mike will open his 11th solo painting exhibit titled Noon, Ngayon at Kailan Man, 6 p.m. at the Art Space (third floor of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City), which will go on until Aug. 30.
Funfare also did a one-on-one with Mike.
Excerpts:
How did your passion for the arts start?
“I was born in Tanay, Rizal. My father is an artist/painter. I grew up in an environment of artists.”
What inspired you to pursue your artistic inclination?
“I’m inspired by my native birthplace, Tanay. My paintings are re-creations of the lifestyles of people who learned to coexist with nature, farming, fishing, basket-weaving and harvesting produce.
I’m currently residing in Antipolo City; in a small village where I believe is one of the few places I know where you can live in harmony with nature.”
Describe your style of painting.
”It’s a combination of European ‘light and shadow’ and oriental styles. My works have been called ‘transcendin’, even serene, delicate and orderly. They lure you to return… to take a second look… to step back…. to study…. to become part of the scene and the life depicted.
What is your favorite subject?
“Family. The family is important because everything starts there. First, education then moral values and character development. A good family will lead to a healthy nation.”
Favorite medium?
”Oil on canvas.”
What distinct subject or element identifies your work?
“The typical Asian face of a woman with a hint of Spanish features is one of the common traits of my works. This actually led me the way to meet my wife who resembles the women in my paintings years before I met her.”
Any advice to aspiring artists?
”Everywhere I go I see very good Filipino artists. I believe this is an asset or a gold mine for the government waiting to be tapped. Keep it up, fellow artists.”
And why Noon, Ngayon at Kailan Man?
“As an artist, I give special concern on our environment and culture. Environment is the source of life and personal identity. Unfortunately, Mother Nature is being exploited and disregarded by man. Science and social development have gained in the last century. Electricity has dramatically changed life on our planet. The massive use of cars and airplanes has changed the transportation of the world. Technology breaks boundaries; cultures mix and lead us to rootlessness, loss of identity and widespread moral decline. We should not forget our culture: our great grandparents fought and died for this. The Filipino culture is colorful, our identity lies on it. It is beautiful and this is my mission. We should preserve our culture and environment. This is our heritage, Noon, Ngayon at Kailan Man.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)