Body Talk with apl.de.ap

Don’t take it against Alan Pineda (a.k.a. apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas) if he doesn’t recognize you, not even if he’s just one foot from you. You see, he’s legally blind. Is that why perhaps he can’t distinguish the red, the yellow and the green in traffic lights? So, how can, how does, he drive?

Luckily, apl.de.ap probably didn’t have to use much of his eyes when he sat as judge in the ABS-CBN version of The Voice. Like his fellow judges (Lea Salonga, Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo), apl.de.ap was mostly probably all ears (remember, as the show’s title said it, what counted most was the contestants’ voice).

What’s lovable and admirable about apl.de.ap is that he knows how to look back where he came from — marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, as the Filipino saying goes. He has a foundation that helps mostly underprivileged children not only in his native Pampanga (where he was born and spent his early childhood before he was adopted by an American couple) but all over the country. (He has built a house for his mother in the same place where he used to help her sell uling [charcoal], good boy!)

Every chance he gets, apl.de.ap comes back from the US where he’s based more than just for sentimental reasons. Among his current projects is the production of an album for Rap-metal band Slapshock intended for international release, to be recorded in the US. The band is the first artist to be signed up by apl.de.ap under Jeepney Music, his own label.

Forever on his feet, how does the tireless, energetic, lively and on-the-go apl.de.ap keep fit?

What kind of diet do you follow?

“I eat pretty healthy. I try to eat less white rice, it’s either black or brown. I like anything grilled chicken or vegetables. I like my corned beef sinigang with a lot of vegetables. But I have cheat days.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

“For breakfast, I like turkey bacon and scrambled eggs. For lunch, I like to order beef steak, chicken adobo, sinigang. And for dinner, I like inasal and Korean Barbecue.”

What food do you always crave for; what food do you avoid?

“I like Tacos and Jollibee’s Pancit Palabok. I crave for Yoshinoya beef bowl and spicy chicken. I try to stay away from fried foods.”

Any snacks between meals?

“Peanuts, raisins and dried fruits.”

How much water do you take per day (soda, coffee, tea or energy drinks)?

“I take at least eight glasses of water. I’m a tea person.”

What vitamins do you take?

“I don’t take vitamins. I get my vitamins from vegetables.”

What workout do you do?

“I ride my bike. I bike every day, I run. I do the Insanity Workout; it’s mostly cardio exercises. I’m a triathlete. I did Ironman last year. I always hit the gym.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“My stomach.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“Nothing really.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“My triceps.”

What part of a girl’s body do you notice first?

“Her booty, legs and face. Face is very important.”

And what kind of girls turns you off?

“Girls who are rude and too loud.”

How’s your love life?

“I’m dating.”

Do you have a nightlife?

“Yes. I’m more of a night person.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Eight hours, sometimes 10 hours. It depends upon my schedule. But when I have free time, I try to sleep as much as I can.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“My underwear.”

Do you snore?

“I think so; my ex-girlfriend told me.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“Yes.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“Yes. When I was young, before I was adopted, my greatest fear was that I’d sleepwalk and jump off the plane.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Four.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I watch TV. I sleep with TV on.”

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“I work out.”

How do you unwind, cope with stress? Massage or meditation? What sport do you play?

“I watch a movie, I watch boxing. I get a massage. Basketball is my sports, but I also love biking, running and boxing. I actually joined a triathlon last year here.”

Favorite city?

“I have a lot of them. I love Las Vegas, Manila, Sydney, Florida, Ibiza and, of course, Pampanga.”

Favorite hideaway?

“My bedroom. I also love going to Boracay and Subic. I’d like to go to Palawan; I’ve never been to Palawan.”

How long does it take you to fix yourself?

“Thirty minutes.”

Are you vain like most good-looking men?

“Hahahaha! I’m always looking in the mirror.”

Three men that you think have nice bodies?

“I don’t look at guys. Hahahahaha! But I think boxers have nice bodies, lean and muscular, that’s why I do boxing. For me, the three boxers who have nice bodies are Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire.”

And three women that you think have nice bodies?

“Only three? There are so many — KC Concepcion, Sam Pinto, Megan Young, Venus Raj… I could go on forever. Ahhh…I like ‘em all.”

Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire her?

“A nice hello and a smile. I will look at her and smile.”

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)