I recently had a fascinating conversation with Rob Gomez and Paolo Gumabao whose perspectives on matters concerning men were both interesting and entertaining.
Our “usapang lalaki” began with Rob saying that there is truth to the idea that men, in general, are not body conscious.
“Yes, I can say that I am not conscious (with my appearance) as compared to a woman. I care less about how I look, like now (before he sat down for our conversation), I picked my own outfit as opposed to a girl who has to put on her makeup first and with a hair stylist also, aside from thinking or choosing what clothes she has to wear,” Rob said.
He is also not particular when it comes to working out in the gym. It’s no big deal whether the place is fully air-conditioned or not.
“I don’t have any preference since my focus is to work out. There’s no need for an air-con so I can perspire more” Rob said.
“I don’t know with others, but me, I don’t even wipe the sweat, hindi ko rin pinupunasan ‘yung pawis ng iba sa (gym equipment),” he laughed.
Paolo agreed to what Rob had revealed, and added that he, too, is not meticulous. He can do his workout routine inside or outside the gym.
Paolo said, “I’m also not particular about where to go basta may mabubuhat na exercise equipment, it’s fine with me.”
However, Rob and Paolo have differing views on the general notion that men don’t articulate their emotional pain. The former affirmed he would rather keep to himself instead of letting emotions influence him to do or say things he would later regret.
“It’s more difficult when you try to explain and explain and then someone would say something that wouldn’t give any bearing, ‘yung parang hindi naman kailangan (sa sitwasyon) ‘yung ambag na solusyon. It’s better to try to solve it internally. But if you couldn’t handle it anymore then that’s the time you can tell someone,” Rob stated.
Paolo is not the type who would hide his feelings.
“Yes, I do talk about my feelings because I grew up with my mom na talagang magsasabi ng, ‘Hey, Pao, what’s going on? Is there something bothering you?’ Kumbaga nasanay na ako since I was young that I talk about my feelings,” he shared.
Everyone experiences sadness or pain. Thus, both actors stressed their respective points on the impression that a man shedding emotional tears is perceived as weak or less masculine.
According to Rob, crying is good as it can help ease the physical and emotional pain brought by a difficult situation while Paolo believes that crying shows how strong a man is.
Rob and Paolo also gave insights on the belief that brave men never surrender or step back from anything.
For Paolo, a man can display his bravery not through any form of fights but from having a great sense of responsibility. “Matapang hindi dahil sa away pero matapang sa desisyon sa buhay,” he said.
“Ang pagiging matapang ko ay ‘yung pagharap ko sa problema ng buong-buo, pagtanggap ng mali,” Rob uttered.
“You pick your battles. You don’t always have to win and when that happens, it doesn’t mean you lose, too. Ang pagpapakumbaba, ‘yun ang mas matapang for me.”
Paolo never denies that men can be flirtatious, too. And what are the tell-tale signs that a guy is flirting with a girl?
“Simple lang, if you see someone you like, you go to her and speak to her. It’s all in the body language kumbaga titingnan mo depende sa sitwasyon,” replied Paolo.
Do they believe what other people have been saying that men are more likely to cheat?
Rob deemed it as an unfair notion about men given that regardless of gender, it will happen if one places himself or herself in a situation that will lead to cheating.
“Me, I think the whole cheating game right now sobrang uso because I believe it comes from your environment,” declared Paolo, who is currently romantically involved with a non-showbiz girl.
“But she has plans of joining (showbiz) soon,” he added.
Everything that Rob and Paolo articulated was definitely on fleek as the Gen Zers would say. Need I say more?