Alfred Vargas talks about fulfilling roles he plays on and off screen

He is one of the most handsome men in Philippine showbiz and politics. A certified family man, this actor, three-term congressman and incumbent Quezon City councilor is the devoted husband of equally beautiful wife Yasmine and doting father to their four children. He is Alfred Vargas, recent FAMAS awards Best Actor winner for his role as Isaac, an ex-convict who returns to his hometown province in the movie “Pieta” to find his aging mother, played by Nora Aunor, battling Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Six months ago, Alfred became a father for a fourth time to a baby girl. Wife Yasmine had great difficulty with the pregnancy as she was suffering at the time from hyperemesis, which is characterized by persistent nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and weight loss. She also contracted three different types of infections and during her second tri-semester, was in and out of the hospital. In her eighth month, she was in the hospital until she gave birth.

Alfred reveals that though it is easy for Yasmine to get pregnant, the pregnancy itself is difficult. She experienced this with her three other children (aged 13, 12, and 5), but it was only her last pregnancy that was extremely difficult. But he is glad that Yasmine and their six-month-old daughter are doing much better now and are both in the pink of health.

Balancing his roles as an actor, politician, and father, Alfred says he schedules solo time with each of his children.

I had a chance to chat with Alfred last week about his multi-hyphenate roles as husband, dad, actor and politician. Read on to find out what his rule is regarding gadgets on the dinner table, what he considers his most fulfilling role as public servant, and which actors are his idols. 

How do you keep fit and maintain your good looks?

“I practice intermittent fasting and sometimes OMAD (one meal a day). Gone are the days where I sometimes gained 30 pounds. These days, it’s plus or minus 10 pounds at the most. I do cardio exercises including brisk walking four times a week, and weight training three times a week.

“I make it a point to sleep seven hours a day and wash my face with my trusted soap and apply moisturizer. Then I apply sunblock, even when I am indoors. I also schedule ‘me time’ once a week when I can relax and pamper myself. And lastly, I’ve made it a point to stop being with people who are negative and cause stress! This is super effective and part of my ‘banidoso’ program.”

Describe yourself as a father.

“I am the disciplinarian in the family while my wife is a very hands-on mom. I am proud to say that my kids were raised by their mom, not by their yayas. My major role is to be the provider and the spoiler. I love traveling with my kids and when they get awards in school, I like rewarding them.

“However, I insist that when we’re having meals, there are no cellphones or gadgets on the table. My daughters also help around in the house, for example, by setting the table. As for my only son, I am slowly teaching him how to protect his sisters and mom.”

How do you divide your time between your family and work as an actor and politician?

“I schedule my time. Every week I have solo time with each of my kids, except the baby. I do this so I learn from them and know how I can support and encourage them. This excludes our other activities as a family like eating out or going to Mass.”

Do you see any of your children following in your footsteps?

“It is my only son, five years old, who is showing signs of interest in becoming an actor. One daughter wants to be a doctor and the other wants to be a lawyer. But all of them draw and paint very well, a talent they inherited from their mom. I will support them in whatever career they want to pursue.

“This is what happened to me. I was the first in my family who became an actor and then a politician and I am glad my parents supported me. I was set to go to law school. I graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University, Management Economics until Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) discovered me and that was the start of my acting career. Initially my mom was against my entering showbiz but when she saw me in ‘Pangako Sa Yo,’ her heart softened.

“The only thing she asked was I go to graduate studies since my plan to enter law school did not push through. I fulfilled my promise and got a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Sadly, my mom passed away by the time I got my master’s degree but it’s a promise fulfilled to my mom.”

If you could only be an actor or a public servant, which would you choose?

“I’d choose to be a public servant. Helping others gives me a sense of fulfillment. So far, the biggest fulfillment as a public servant was when I was congressman, and I was one of the principal authors of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) which was created to give assistance to cancer patients. The Philippines is only one of three countries that offer this.

“But I’d like to follow in the footsteps of Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon and Albert Martinez. They are my idols. I see myself being an actor for a long time.”