That's graduate now a businessman in US

Ordinary fans may barely remember him, but not That’s Entertainment fanatics (both open and “closeted”) who earnestly followed him and his gang in the late ‘80s on the GMA 7 hit teen show hosted by German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.

Remember Philip Henson who stirred a minor controversy when he posed for a pictorial near-nude with a cobra wrapped around his body (reminiscent of the famous Nastassja Kinski poster)?

Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre chanced upon Philip at the birthday party of Oliver Cajanding, their mutual friend, in Society Hill, Jersey City, New Jersey, a few days before Christmas. It turned out that Oliver and his wife Chona are Philip’s childhood friends. Philip is now a businessman based in Maryland. 

“I used to be with the Thursday group and we always won the weekly showdown, until I was moved to the Friday group,” Philip recalled to Edmund his stint on That’s from 1987 to 1989.

Philip admitted to Edmund that he didn’t reach the A-list status of his That’s contemporaries like Romnick Sarmenta, Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes, Janno Gibbs, Lotlot de Leon, Ramon Christopher, Tina Paner, Cris Villanueva, Jestoni Alarcon or the late Ronnel Victor.

Nevertheless, he had his share of adoring and shrieking fans, he boasted.

“Tinitilian din naman ako, tanong mo pa kay Kuya Germs,” he said, laughing. “Mas malakas nga lang talaga ang tili kina Romnick at Sheryl. At naintriga na rin ako, pero huwag na lang natin pag-usapan ‘yon.”

Philip told Edmund that he missed his friends from That’s, and Kuya Germs, too. “I miss the fun, the limelight and the fans,” he said.

Philip Henson then (left) and now: Happily settled in Maryland, USA.

Among his pals in the show, he has remained in touch with Gary “Boy” Garcia (son of the now US-based character actress Lucita Soriano and the late ace movie villain Rodolfo “Boy” Garcia; and brother of the late Marco Polo). Gary, now a family man, is a federal employee in Austin, Texas, according to Philip.

Roel Gueco in real life, Philip has started a small business which provides transportation service to airport, hotel, and tourism and convention guests in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as the city’s big-time bingo players. It’s a business he put up this year with a friend while maintaining double jobs — as a valet at Raddison Plaza Lord Baltimore and overnight employee at Hotel Monaco Baltimore.

“I hardly ever sleep,” he confided with a chuckle. “Kailangan, eh, kung gusto mong umasenso. I’m not getting any younger (he has entered his 40s) and I thought why not start my own business? We’re hoping to purchase more service vans at sana lumaki pa ito.”

Philip told Edmund he’s thankful that his Business Management degree (from Arellano University in Pasay City) serves him well in his new venture.

“Marami akong natutunan noon na na-a-apply ko ngayon sa buhay ko,” said Philip, who was also four-year president of Arellano’s Junior Executive Society until he graduated in 1999. “I’m glad I gained enough background in human resources issues, business planning, employment disputes, mga ganoon, which I know is really important in what I’m doing now.”

Philip was discovered by superstar Nora Aunor who spotted him while he was working as an extra in a sitcom called It’s Another Deal, topbilled by Michael de Mesa and Alma Moreno.

He signed up with Nora’s NCV Productions as a contract star. It didn’t actually turn him into a big star, but the towering actor was a dreamboat that an ABS-CBN teen show called Talents Unlimited, hosted by the late Ike Lozada, noticed him and took him in. Then, Philip and other rising stars from the short-lived teen show were absorbed by the more popular That’s Entertainment.

While many of his That’s contemporaries became major movie, TV and recording artists, Philip’s career stagnated. He did TV guestings, starred in theater plays, and appeared in forgettable sexy movies (as kontrabida in some action flicks).

Said Edmund, “Philip confided that film director Willy Milan tried to build him up as an action star, but showbiz temptation was too much to resist, especially girls, that he lost his focus, leaving the director with no choice but to give up on him.”

“Yeah, I disappointed him (Milan) and I know galit sa akin ‘yon,” said Philip. “I was young and I was having so much fun kaya nasira ang concentration. If he reads this interview, I want to say ‘I’m sorry, Direk.’ But I know he will be happy to know that my life is okay now, nasa maayos naman akong kalagayan ngayon.”

Philip left the Philippines in 2000 to follow his future ex-wife in L.A. where he worked for a year in the fashion business as a clerk, shoe retailer and then manager, before moving with his aunt in New Mexico.

It’s in Albuquerque (NM) where Philip became a caregiver, sushi chef and even gardener, all within a year.

“Ang iniyakan ko talaga doon ‘yung pagiging gardener,” he shared. “It was xeriscape gardening at nagse-separate ako ng bato sa dahon o halaman, at nag-aalis ng falling leaves, something I never did in the Philippines and I never imagined I would be doing in my life.”

In Albuquerque, Philip told Edmund that he met Jam Morales.

“She teaches music there, everybody knows her there,” Philip said. “Her twin daughters are very pretty. Jam is very nice to everyone.”

Jam is an OPM star who popularized, among others, the hits Even If, A Smile In Your Heart and I Love You I Always Will.

In 2002, Philip landed his first “real job” in America at Sandia Resort & Casino, one of New Mexico’s top casino resorts, where he would stay for the next nine years. He worked as a security officer, then poker host and later valet.

“I enjoyed working there because of the benefits and stability,” he said, “and I really enjoy working as a valet because of the tips, and because I get to move a lot kaya parang may free exercise na rin.”

It was in 2009 when he relocated to Baltimore with a relative, and got employed at the luxury Lorien Hotel & Spa (which is part of the famous Kimpton Hotels Group) in Alexandria, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C. area, which is an hour-drive away from his Baltimore pad. He later transferred to Baltimore’s Hotel Monaco and Radisson Plaza to be closer to home.

With a hectic daily schedule, Philip says he hardly has time to unwind these days, including catching Philippine shows on The Filipino Channel or GMA Pinoy TV.

“Even if I want so much to watch TV or movies, I simply cannot,” he explained. “I would rather sleep na lang once I get home. Maya-maya lang, I’d go to my second job na.”

From the very few Filipino soaps that he could sometimes watch, Philip said he liked watching John Lloyd Cruz whom he described as “parang Dindo Fernando ang dating.” His crush is Angel Locsin because “mahilig talaga ako sa chinita.” But his overall idol is Aga Muhlach. “He’s very good at the way he manages his image, his career and his family. I wanted to be in his shoes.”

Edmund noticed a sad note in Philip’s voice when he said, “I’m looking for a new love, someone with whom I can share my newfound joy, passion and dreams. Handa na ako mag-start ng family. That’s my goal in 2011.”

2011 Miss U pageant to be held in Brazil

Here’s a press bulletin from the Miss Universe Organization:

Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Miss Universe Organization President, Paula M. Shugart, announced that the 60th Annual Miss Universe Competition will air live from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 12. The glamorous live event, featuring the most beautiful women in the universe, will air on NBC in the US, with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

“I am very pleased to announce our partnership with media conglomerate Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicacao and the selection of Sao Paulo as the host location for Miss Universe 2011,” said the pageant’s owner, Donald J. Trump.  ”Brazil is rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse and is a great place to do business.  This decade, Brazil is hosting three of the greatest and most-watched worldwide events: the World Cup, the Summer Olympic Games and now, to kick it all off, Miss Universe.”  

“Grupo Bandeirantes is delighted that we have reached an agreement with the Miss Universe Organization to host the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil,” said the network’s president, Joao Carlos Saad.  “We believe it is fitting for Brazil to set the stage for this glamorous event, and we look forward to showing the contestants, and the almost 200 countries around the world who watch the pageant every year, the exciting and vibrant culture of our beautiful country.” 

Contestants from more than 80 countries around the world will travel to Brazil for almost a month of activities leading up to the live telecast.  They will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2011.  This is first time in its 60-year history that the Miss Universe contest will be held in Brazil.  

Mexicana, Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.  During her reign, Navarrete has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation.  The next Miss Universe will continue this work.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@[email protected] or at [email protected]).