Aljur uncovered

The uncovering was done gradually, slowly but surely. First to go was his shirt during a pictorial and then his undershirt for a GMA soap. For a Bench show, he almost (but not quite) unzipped to tease the wild, largely female Big Dome audience. And now, Aljur Abrenica is baring more flesh in Machete which is calculated to launch him as Local Showbiz’s Ultimate Hunk, the title conferred on him as top winner of StarStruck a few years back.

A komiks serial novel by Pablo S. Gomez (who succumbed to cardiac arrest during the holiday season), Machete is the story of a statue that comes to life at night and romances the woman who carved him. It was filmed in 1990 with Cesar Montano in the title role (with Rita Avila as the sculptress) and, remade in 1994, both by Seiko Films, this time with Gardo Verzosa (and Rosanna Roces). It was Machete that “made” Cesar and Gardo.

According to Seiko boss Robbie Tan, he has donated the controversial statue (done by a sculptor from Paete, Laguna) to the Mowelfund Museum.

Now, can Aljur surpass, or even just equal, the “stoned” performance of Cesar and Gardo? We’ll see on Jan. 24 when Machete starts airing as replacement of Jillian, Namamasko Po (starring the so-called child wonder Jillian Ward), with Ryza Cenon as the sculptress, Bela Padilla as the sketcher and Gwen Zamora as the daughter of the archeologist who digs up Machete’s villain. Direction is by Gina Alajar and Don Michael Perez.

“I trust Aljur to give Machete his own touch,” said Cesar who worked with Aljur in the GMA soap Ilumina. “Physically, he’s perfect for the role,” an observation shared by Robbie. “Bagay na bagay kay Aljur ang Machete,” he added.

“I’ve worked with Aljur and I found him to be a good actor,” said Gardo, “at hindi siya mayabang. Kayang-kaya n’ya ‘yung buhayin si Machete, I’m sure, plus hindi naman gaano ka-daring ngayon unlike before.”

Because it’s for general patronage at primetime (kids are watching, you know), Machete will not be as explicit as the movie versions. Even Aljur’s costume is not as “revealing” as those of Cesar’s and Gardo’s.

“I’ve asked Kuya Cesar’s advice how he portrayed Machete lalo na kapag estatuwa s’ya; mahirap i-portray ‘yung character na parang walang alam sa mundo,” said Aljur who, at the time of this Conversation, was looking for a DVD copy of Machete, volunteering the information that no, “hindi ako nag-padding dito.”

To prepare for the soap, Aljur worked overtime at the gym, went on a special diet (camote, salads, fish, chicken minus the skin, etc.) and took up Wushu.

In keeping with the soap’s theme, Conversations decided to do a “sexy talk” with Machete Aljur.

What is sexy to you?

“Wow, hard question huh. I think nasa shape ng katawan ‘yung sexy.”

What part of a girl’s body do you find sexiest?

“Not just a part. Lahat ng parts, but especially the eyes!”

What do you think girls find sexy in you?

“Siguro, my arms.”

Name three women that you find sexy.

“Cristine Reyes. Marian Rivera. Kylie Padilla.”

Do you consider yourself sexy?

“I think so. Maybe.”

Name three guys that you find as sexy as you are.

“As sexy as I am? Sexy ba ako? Puwedeng foreign?”

Sure!

“Brad Pitt…sobra! Hugh Jackman. Jason Statham (who is in Transporter).”

What makes you feel sexy?

“After working out in the gym and I’m in front of the mirror. That’s when I see my well-defined body. And also, during pictorials.”

When did you lose your innocence?

“When I was 17, two months before I turned 18.”

To an older woman or a younger woman?

“Older woman.”

What happened? Were you seduced?

“No. It was by mutual consent. It was my first time and her first time, too.”

Was she showbiz or non-showbiz?

“Showbiz.”

Oh, is she from somewhere in, uhm, the south?

“Yes.”

Near, uhm, Cebu?

“Hmmmm…yes. You know her.”

What qualities do you want in a woman?

“Importante sa akin ‘yung malakas ang dating. It doesn’t really matter kung hindi masyadong maganda as long as she’s innocent-looking.”

Morena?

“Yes. At matangkad.”

Aljur’s three leading ladies (from left): Ryza Cenon as the sculptress, Gwen Zamora as the daughter of the archeologist who digs up Machete’s villain and Bela Padilla as the sketcher

Beauty-titlist?

“Yes. At dapat, very understanding and very loving.”

What musical instrument do you find sexy?

“Silhouette saxophone. You know, ‘yung ginagamit ni Kenny G. I love his album.” (Same with Erik Santos. — RFL)

Sexiest song.

“If You Want My Body. Also, Sexbomb.”

Sexiest book.

“I haven’t read a lot of books. So far, The Notebook (by Nicholas Sparks), especially the chapter which describes the lovers in the river at biglang umulan.”

Sexiest food.

“Tahong (mollusk).” (Laughs as if he’s eating one, slurping!)

 Sexiest car.

“It’s a sports car but I forget the name. Basta, any sports car.”

You said that girls think your arms are sexy. What do you think is the sexiest part of your body?

“My eyes…sabi nila.”

Sexiest billboard.

“Lovi Poe (on Bench billboard).”

Sexiest face.

“Erin Cummings, star of Spartacus.”

Sexiest clothes.

“Boxers with nothing underneath and sando.”

Sexiest perfume.

“Kenzo.”

Sexiest time of day.

“Early morning…if you know what I mean.”

Sexiest part of the house.

“Bedroom. So many things happen there.”

Sexiest TV show.

“Spartacus.”

Sexiest scene you have seen in a movie.

“The love scene of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

Sexiest scene you have ever done.

“My bed scene with Ara Mina in Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin (a GMA soap).”

Sexiest thing you have ever done to yourself.

“When I wore a G-string in my room, in front of the mirror.”

Sexiest thing you have ever done to or with a woman.

“I danced sexy in front of her and then….Hindi n’ya kinaya!”

Sexiest fantasy?

“Making love in the forest.”

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