Terrence Romeo has no vice

Body Talk with the TNT point guard on his responsibility as the youth’s role model

Let’s put this on record: Terrence Romeo has no vice.

He doesn’t smoke.

He doesn’t do drugs.

He doesn’t gamble.

He doesn’t drink (not too much, anyway, but only “socially”).

His nightlife is very minimal (only occasionally when invited by friends). 

Loud and clear. No vice.  

As a superstar hardcourt idol, Terrence has to be clean-living, that’s why he has been tapped as Chooks-To-Go ambassador and as endorser of Peak for which he has just renewed his contract last week (at Gloria Maris where Funfare did a one-on-one with him).

“He’s the only Filipino athlete who has his own brand,” stressed Nap Gutierrez who facilitated this interview. “Peak is an international brand.”

In fact, Terrence didn’t have to emphasize how much he loves Peak and how comfy he is with the brand. For the contract-renewal, he showed up in full Peak ensemble from head to foot — a black Peak jacket over a red Peak T-shirt, a pair of black Peak jogging pants, Peak socks and Peak shoes. Looks- and career-wise, Terence is at his peak (pun intended). A Piscean (March 16, 1992), Terence stands 5’11”; weighs 170 lbs.; and wears size-L shirt and size-11 shoes.

The initial plan was to do a “sexy talk” but, to protect his image as a basketball role model, the TNT point guard (“Yung palaging may dala ng bola,” he said) begged off and agreed to a “body talk” instead.

How do you maintain your body?                                    

“By regular practice para palaging nasa circulation ng effective players. Four hours every day. If I have more strength, I do more dribbling and extra shooting. I can’t work out in a gym. And I stick to a diet.”

What kind of diet? 

“Kapag may conference, as much as possible, no carbs. Loads of protein. Mostly vegetables, fruits and juices. No fatty food.”  

What’s your favorite vegetable?

“Repolyo (cabbage) and broccoli.”

Terence during his Peak renewal-contract signing with (from left) Jonathan Chenglay (Peak Philippines general manager), Michael Chenglay (Peak Philippines president) and Jojo Ladaban (Peak Philippines Chief Operating Officer, COO)

How much water do you drink per day?  

“Around eight glasses. But during practice, I drink more because I perspire a lot.”                                        

Coffee or tea?                                                                    

“No coffee, no tea. Only water.”                                      

How much sleep do you get per night?                      

“Six to seven hours.”                                                        

Favorite sleepwear?                                                        

 “Peak shirt and shorts.”                                                            

 Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?          

“I pray.”                                                                            

Favorite saint?                                                                

“Wala po. I’m Christian.”                                          

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

“I pray.”                                                                          

How do you relax?                                                          

“I spend time with my wife and our (six-month-old) son.” (As per Terrence’s request, name of his wife, a Cebuana, is kept confidential.)

Where do you and your family go to unwind?

“We go to Amanpulo.”

Favorite city?

“I am not fond of traveling. Mas gusto ko sa beach lang, pinapanood ang dagat habang nagsa-sound trip.” 

How are you as a father?

“Very fulfilling ang pakiramdam. Pag nakikita ko ang baby ko, nawawala ang pagod ko.“

Favorite sounds?

“OPM and some Filipino rap songs.”

What about movies?

“We seldom watch movies in the moviehouse. We watch films on Netflix before we go to sleep.”

What was the last movie that you saw?

“Kita Kita. I watched it with my wife.”

What kind of movies do you like?

“Action movies.”

Who’s your favorite action star?

“Robin Padilla.” (Terrence donated to the Marawi fund through Robin Padilla. — RFL)

No plan to try showbiz?

“It’s not my line. I don’t know how to act. Never kong naisip na pumasok sa showbiz.”

How do you deal with the lack of privacy?

“Okey lang ‘yung pansinin ka; I won’t be where I am now if not for the fans. As long as walang bastos na sinasabi sa akin or walang hindi magandang sinasabi sa akin, no problem.”

Or else?

“Of course, I react. Makakarinig din sila sa akin ng hindi maganda. We are all human; I also get hurt like everybody else. Magsasalita ka ng hindi maganda sa akin samantalang hindi mo naman ako pinapakain, hindi tama ‘yon.”

Are you active on social media?

“Not so much. I post only things about my endorsements.”

You are idolized mostly by the youth. What can you say to them? (Terrence graduated with a degree in SRM [Sports Recreational Management] from FEU where he started his basketball career with the Tamaraws.)

“They should not forget to pray. Walang imposible sa Kanya. But praying is not enough. Kelangan magsipag din sila. Work hard. Dapat marespeto sa lahat ng tao, kahit sa mga mababa sa’yo. Be humble because you don’t know how long you will be popular. Ako, hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ako si Terrence Romeo. Time will come when I will be a has-been, na laos na ako. I want people to remember me as somebody na walang taong na-agrabyado, walang taong niyabangan at walang taong tinapakan.” 

Nice advice.

“I hope they remember my advice. Kasi ang daming mga kabataan ngayon na pasibol pa lang, hindi pa sikat, pero mayabang na. They should always have their feet on the ground. Kelangan palaging nakaapak sa lupa.”

And what’s the best thing about being sikat (popular)?

“I can help my family. I serve as inspiration to the youth…inspirasyon sa mga kabataan na may pangarap na gustong matupad. Like now, I already have a baby. Gusto ko paglaki niya, he will be proud of me…maging proud na ang Papa niya ay naging PBA player.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)