What the 're-charged' Masculados are made of

The presscon held at Dulcinea the other day to introduce the “re-charged” Masculados Dos and to launch the macho guys’ maiden album titled Ganda, Ganda! Seksi, Seksi! (released by Universal Records) was very revealing, thanks in part to the easy-breezy style of Beauty (of Music Box) who hosted the Q&A portion during which the members (three old and four new), well, bared themselves although not so much physically.

The original members, retained after the contract of the first group of Masculados with Universal Records had expired, are Enrico Mofar, Lexter Lazaro and Robin Robel. The new members are Dart Kamboozia, Bodyshots finalist and ramp/commercial model; Nico Cordova, a Political Science graduate from the University of Caloocan City; Ozu Ong, an aspiring stuntman trained by a martial-artist uncle; and upcoming actor Orlando Sol, former lead singer of M-Gage who stars in the soon-to-be-released indie Halik sa Tubig  and tapped to play the title role in Macho Dancer 3 (The Andy Chavez Story) to be directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, Orlando’s mentor, who organized the Masculados (then and now).

Egged on by Beauty who read questions purportedly “twitted” to him, the Masculados didn’t hold back, giving honest answers even to the most personal ones, to wit (no names, please!):

• Member A admitted that he’s an unwed father but denied that he’s not supporting the child;

• Member B denied being gay (just because he is giggly and appears to be a softie);

• Member C confirmed the rumor that he has just gotten his girlfriend pregnant;

• Member D hinted that he has a sex video with...a member of Baywalk Beauties?;

• Member E denied being a GRO at a gay bar, saying the guy could be just his lookalike and adding that if ever he was one, he could have been forced to it by extreme economic necessity; and

• Member F (the upcoming actor) said no, he didn’t have any qualms doing bed scenes first with two girls, one at a time, and with another man, adding that he would go even more daring — and baring — for the right director (Maryo J. among them).

Maryo J. decided to conduct auditions for new members three years after the contract of the original Masculados was terminated with the death of UR lady boss Bella Tan.

“It took me a year to find the new members,” said Maryo, one of whom (Kamboozia) was spotted during a Holy Week cenaculo in Lucban, Quezon and another (Ozu) he saw while taping for the GMA soap Rosalinda which he directed. “Dozens showed up for the auditions and many of them didn’t come up to the criteria. First, they have to be muscular, kasi nga Masculado dapat, eh, good-looking siempre and must know how to sing and dance. Before the launch, they worked out para polished ang kanilang katawan, trained in dance with Geleen Eugenio and in singing with voice coach Arnold Calpe.”

And, voila, a group of Pinoy Chippendales was born!

The Masculados Dos opened the presscon with a song, performed with mucho-macho gyrations, and ended it with another number which was their own version of the hit Korean song Nobody, complete with come-and-get-me body language.

Songs on their album are all originals, written and composed by award-winning singer/composer/producer Ito Rapadas, among them Baby Angkas Na, Hello Friendship, Good Boy and Cellfone,  aside from the carrier single Ganda, Ganda, Seksi! Seksi!

Asked where he makes more money, in directing movies or managing the Masculados Dos, direk Maryo laughed.

“Sa pagdidirek siempre. Managing Masculados Dos is only a hobby.”

Richard Gomez cries ‘Foul!’

Even before the campaign for the May elections goes into full swing, Richard Gomez is already feeling the “ouch” part of it.

Richard is running for congressman in the fourth district of Leyte.

“My opponent is calling all actors tonto (stupid) and I’m hurting not only for myself but also for my fellow actors who are also running.”

Among them are Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos for reelection, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno also for reelection, Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista for Mayor (with Joy Belmonte as running mate), former Sen. Tito Sotto who is running again for senator, Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada again for president and many more.

When they first joined politics, they were “belittled” for not knowing anything (walang alam) but they proceeded to prove otherwise.

Richard has amply proven his worth not only as an actor (he has won awards) but also in sports and civic projects (anti-drug, etc.). He’s a graduate of Associate in Arts at the UP Open University.

Added Richard, “The irony of it is that when my opponent holds special events, such as a basketball exhibition, mga artista din naman ang iniimbita niya. Will he eat back his words (that actors are tonto) if he hires showbiz stars to campaign for him?”