VV as in Very Vibrant

If “vibrant” is, as Webster defines it, “oscillating or pulsating rapidly” and “pulsating with life, vigor, or activity,” then that adjective (too polite, actually) fits Fast & Furious 6 actor Vin Diesel to a T.

Since he and co-stars Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and Luke Evans arrived Monday night and left last night back to L.A., the bald/bold action superstar had his time full not only with the movie’s world premiere Wednesday night at the SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) and the round of TV and print interviews but with, ehem, “extra-curricular” activities as well.

He strolled like an ordinary mortal at a mall near the brand-new Fairmont Hotel in Makati City where the movie’s cast was billeted and even rode a jeepney. Nobody could have missed him in his body-fitting sando, either black or white, making fans wonder if that was all he had in his wardrobe. Yes, he was obviously very proud of his body and he was never shy to flaunt it. Well, if you have it, by all means show it!

In the Fast & Furious franchise, Diesel is fast with cars. Watching the movie will leave you catching for breath, especially during the car chases around London, Hong Kong, Spain, Paris and UK where the movie was shot. Be alert when you watch it (opening nationwide next week) so you won’t miss the post-credits appearance of a top action star who seems to say, “Stay tuned for the next one!”

Off screen, Diesel is also fast (and, ehem, furious?) with women. Short-listed for the TV interviews were some of local television’s prettiest hosts and how Diesel enjoyed their company, no matter how brief. He proved to be a big tease. When Grace Lee in sexy black-and-white stripes entered the Fairmont room (converted into a mini-studio), Diesel’s eyes widened. “That kind of dress turns me on,” he said, inviting Grace out after the interview, “we can go bowling,” he added. During her five-minute turn, Isabelle Daza asked Diesel what his favorite food was and after Diesel answered, Isabelle asked him what he wanted to eat at that moment. Breaking into a wide smile, Diesel said, “I want to eat….” Oops, sorry his answer can’t be printed here. Suffice it to say that it made Isabelle blush and blush, but she gamely dismissed it as Diesel’s being playful.

Well, he could also be harmlessly flirtatious. Back in 2002 when I first interviewed Diesel in Beverly Hills for XXX, his pre-FF starrer, he kept an eye on Miriam Quiambao (fresh from her Miss Universe first runner-up finish at the 1999 pageant) who was covering the junket for GMA. During the TV interview, Diesel winked at Miriam and said, “Come, sit on my lap!” Miriam blushed a bit and politely replied, “No way. I have a boyfriend!” I nudged Miriam to go ahead and play along but she wouldn’t dare.

Oh yes, during my TV interview with Diesel last Wednesday, I handed to him a copy of The STAR which carried a full-page story of our 2002 Conversation (followed in 2005 for his starrer The Pacifier, also in Beverly Hills). I was floored when he screamed with joy and surprised the TV crew by waving it at the camera, proclaiming it as “the best story written about me!” Should I believe it (hahahaha!!!)? And, believe it or not, he couldn’t stop saying “I love you!” before giving me a handshake so firm that I thought he would break my hand.

Anyway, for more Diesel-powered revelations, tune in to tomorrow’s edition of Startalk (on GMA, after Eat, Bulaga!) and to my story about my third close encounter with the Very Vibrant Vin in Conversations with Ricky Lo on Sunday, May 19.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com.)