She’s a Valentine Baby (born on Feb. 14, 1986).
“That’s why I’m full of love,” smiled Roxanne Guinoo who’s being groomed by ABS-CBN as a sexy actress in her new teleserye, Ligaw (which premieres on Monday, May 26) in which she goes “daring and baring” as Leya Alegro, a woman desperately trying to put the pieces of her sad and complicated life together. “I have so much love to give.”
She has given that “love” first to Joross Gamboa, her partner when they were discovered in the 2003 Star Circle Quest of ABS-CBN won by Sandara Park and Hero Angeles, and then to Jake Cuenca with whom Roxanne has broken up only several weeks ago.
Did the rumors linking Jake to gay lovers (something Jake has been denying) affect her decision to split from him? “I didn’t really believe the rumors, although I confronted Jake about them. He said they were not true and I took his word for it. We decided to parts ways because we lacked time for each other.”
Coming from a conservative family, Roxanne started “wholesome” and decided to, well, emerge from her cocoon by appearing sexy astride a horse in the White Castle commercial and then as cover girl of the men’s magazine Maxim.
“It took time for me to make that decision. I asked myself, ‘Will it help my career?’ Mr. M. (Johnny Manahan, head of the ABS-CBN Talent Center) helped me explain to my parents that it was part of my career move, kasama sa pagbi-build-up sa akin. Mr. M. promised my parents na hindi niya ako pababayaan. Besides, I’m 22 and I’m no longer a teeny-bopper. I have to grow up as an actress.”
After two TV series (Natutulog Ba ang Diyos and Palos) and a brief stint as Willie Revillame’s co-host in Wowowee, Roxanne affirms herself as a drama actress in Ligaw, pitted with a powerhouse cast that includes, among others, Ara Mina, Isko Moreno, Noni Buencamino, Jodi Santamaria, Dominic Ochoa, Chokoleit, Arlene Muhlach, Smokey Manaloto, Coco Martin,Joem Bascon, Erich Gonzales, Matteo Guidicelli, Carla Humphries and Jaymee Joaquin.
Roxanne stands 5’4”, weighs 110 lbs., measures 34-27-35, and wears medium/large-sized shirt and size-8 shoes.
What kind of diet do you follow?
“I love to eat so it’s really a big sacrifice for me to go on a diet. For a while, I tried the South Beach Diet. I avoid rice. I have to trim down so I will fit into my character in Ligaw. I have a big frame, so even if I’m thin I still look big on TV.”
Do you take three square meals a day?
“No. Only two, because I usually wake up late. My first meal for the day is lunch. And then, dinner.”
What’s usually for lunch?
“Iba-iba...anything, but without rice.”
No snacks between meals?
“I avoid snacks.”
What food do you usually crave for?
“Pasta and pizza. But they are still carbo so I have to control my craving for them. I love chocolates pero nasanay na ako i-give up ng kaunti. Before, chocolates ang baon ko every day.”
Favorite fruit?
“Grapes and mangoes.”
Vegetables?
“I’m not so much into vegetables. I’m carnivorous. I love meat kaya tabain ako.”
And how many glasses of water do you take per day?
“Ay naku, just a few. I take a lot of iced tea, though. But I’m learning how to take more water.”
Juices?
No. Iced tea addict talaga ako.”
Soda?
“Coke Lite.”
No hard drinks for you?
“No.”
What vitamins do you take?
“Enervon-C, vitamin E and, sometimes, Centrum.”
With your busy schedule, do you have time to work out?
“I try to. Before I started shooting for Ligaw, I worked out for six months, doing mostly treadmill in the gym and sit-ups.”
What part of your body needs improvement?
“My tummy and my arms. Doon ako nai-insecure. When I gain weight, those are the parts that look fat. But my legs don’t seem to gain weight, kaya medyo hindi proportioned ang body ko.”
What part is most vulnerable?
“My back, especially when I lack sleep. I think I got it from my father who has chronic backache. I try to get a massage for relief.”
And what part is your favorite?
“My face. That’s what people notice about me. At ‘yon din ang madalas kong kinakalikot.”
How do you take care of your skin?
“Si (Dr. Vicki) Belo ang bahala dyan. I go to her clinic for facials. At the first sign of a pimple, I go to the Belo Clinic at once.”
And what part of a boy’s body do you notice first?
“The nose. I don’t know why. But that’s the first thing that I look at first in a guy.”
Is the nose of Joross good enough?
“Oh yes, maganda!”
What about the nose of Jake?
“He also has a nice nose.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“These days...about two to three hours. I make up for it by taking power naps in-between takes on the set or in the car on the way to work.”
What’s your favorite sleep wear?
“Pajamas and loose shirt. At home, I rarely wear shorts. I am always in jogging pants or pajamas.”
Are you a pillow person?
“I have two long pillows and a few short ones.”
Do you snore?
“I do, especially when I’m tired. That’s why I tell my co-workers, ‘Don’t be scared, ha. I snore!’”
Do you talk in your sleep?
“I think I don’t.”
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
“I take off my make-up and wash my face.”
And the first thing that you do when you wake up?
“Take two mugs of coffee. I’m a coffee drinker. I take several cups during the day.”
How do you cope with stress?
“I simply sleep. Tulog lang ako nang tulog. Or I watch DVDs — talagang DVD marathon ako the whole day. I watch mostly thrillers. I also watch Korean movies.”
What about music?
“I prefer old songs.”
What about hygiene? How many times do you take a bath every day?
“Twice a day. I sweat a lot kasi, eh, and I don’t want to feel sticky. I always carry lampin with me, especially when it’s hot. I found out that Maricel (Soriano, her co-star in Florinda, a Susan Roces movie to be televised by ABS-CBN soon) also has the same habit — palagi siya may dalang lampin.”
What’s one thing that you can’t do without?
“My baby bag containing my bathroom set, scrubs, oils, cotton buds, makeup remover, napkins at kung anu-ano pang needs ng isang girl.”
What’s your favorite hideaway?
“I go to my friend’s house in Antipolo overlooking Metro Manila. It gives me a nice feeling just by watching the view.”
Favorite city?
“Cavite City. That’s where I grew up. My parents still live there. I now stay in my own pad near ABS-CBN with my friend who works at a call center. When I visit my folks in Cavite, talagang naghahanda ang mom ko ng masasarap na pagkain. Goodbye diet!”
Nightlife?
“I’m not a party-goer. I’d rather eat out with friends and make chika-chika. Or we go to Music 21 (on Timog Avenue, Quezon City) for karaoke.”
Love life?
“Zero.”
How often do you see your doctor?
“Only when I feel sick.”
And your dentist?
“Very seldom.”
Your dermatologist?
“More often. I go to the Belo Clinic.”
Do you take time fixing yourself?
“Yeah. Matagal. Give me two hours. I linger in the bathtub. I don’t have a PA (Production Assistant) so I myself prepare the things that I need for the day.”
Name three guys you think have nice bodies.
“Vhong Navarro. He’s the only guy I know na sobrang linis sa katawan. I admire guys who are maalaga sa katawan. Piolo Pascual. He also takes good care of his body. Si Jake, malinis sa katawan pero burara sa gamit, makalat. He always misplaces his things. When we were together, ako ang taga-ayos ng mga gamit niya.”
And three women...
“Charlene Gonzalez. Maricel Soriano, my Tita Maria, ang babaing mahilig din sa lampin. Just the two of them.”
Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you like him?
“I try not to look at him, especially not in the eyes baka mahalata niya!”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)