What makes Ping Lacson lose his temper?

The last time I saw Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, he looked so tired, so harassed, so tense. That was more than three years ago when he hosted a dinner for the Philippine STAR bosses and editors at Century Park Sheraton. He must have tackled so many problems that day.

A week ago, I met him again and was I surprised to meet a different man. For our 11 a.m. appointment at Le Souffle at The Fort, he was there much earlier and he looked so good, so relaxed, so happy. He was always smiling, even dropping funny one-liners. I also noticed that his face seemed radiant. He had that nice fresh-from-the shower fragrance. His face looked worry-free and wrinkle-free. Is Senate not in session?

“No political questions, please,” George Siy, the amiable owner of Facial Care Centre, Marie France and Svenson, sweetly reminded me.

Okay, I get it. I will not ask him about GMA. Or Mike Arroyo.

Let’s talk about what makes him looks younger and handsomer. Because he definitely does. But is he vain?

“Vanity is in the veins of every person. Who doesn’t want to look good?” Ping declares.

For someone who’s turning 60 (on June 1, he adds), Senator Ping certainly exudes a bagets vibe, even as he maintains that no-nonsense personality. A no-nonsense approach is exactly what he used to solve his problem, which everyone in the Senate faces, except perhaps Loren and Pia — wrinkles.

Ping’s exposé on how to look good while working hard at the same time? Think STR and ReFirme at Facial Care Centre For Men.

STR or Skin Tone Re-Energizer is simply facelift without the surgical hassles. “I see an improvement after every treatment. It’s very quick. I can immediately go back to the things I need to attend to,” Ping explains.

ReFirme is the method that tightens loose skin, eliminating wrinkles and droopiness in the face and neck.” It also reduces eyebags and the turkey-neck look,” says George. Ping doesn’t have that kind of neck anyway, and what Facial Care did was to remove the “number 11” line from his forehead, between the eyebrows.

A fast-action man, Ping likes the immediate results of the treatments. “My wife is a client of Facial Care Centre for Women, so I tried the Facial Care Centre For Men two years ago. I was a paying client.” Now a regular at Facial Care, he is its poster boy.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What was your ambition as a child?

PING LACSON: To be an NBI agent. I would read a lot of detective stories. Watched James Bond movies, too.

Your favorite hero in fiction?

Superman.

If you were Superman, what would you do?

I want to fly as far as I can, explore the universe and see how fortunate or unfortunate we are to be living on this earth.

Your favorite hero?

Jose Rizal. His achievements are all-encompassing.

Which character in history do you dislike? Hitler.

If you could have someone else’s brains, whose would it be?

Bill Clinton’s.

If you could have someone else’s looks, whose would it be?

Brad Pitt’s.

What is your favorite grooming accessory?

I always carry a hair comb — a giveaway from a Lufthansa trip seven years ago. It came with a mirror but I detached the mirror.

Your favorite cologne?

Bulgari Xtreme. The green one.

Your favorite shoes?

Testoni.

Favorite suit?

I have my suits tailored in West Avenue. I don’t go for RTW suits kasi hindi perfect. If I buy something like Armani, it’s too costly and I would have to have it repaired. When shopping, I always choose my clothes although tamad ako mag fit. I get a lot of clothes as gifts, but I usually have three or four favorites.

Favorite tie?

Ermenegildo Zegna.

Favorite shirt?

Marks & Spencer. I am a perfect size: 16 1/2 - 33 1/2.

Favorite jeans?

Dickies.

Socks?

Ralph Lauren.

Briefs?

Marks & Spencer.

Favorite watch?

Hermes. It was a gift.

Favorite pen?

Mont Blanc.

Favorite eyewear?

It should be titanium, para light.

What is your must-have accessory?

My rosary (he displays the rosary around his neck). I wear it all the time for safety.

Your favorite barber or salon?

I have home service from Erwin, my favorite barber from BF Homes.

What is your biggest extravagance?

Cars. I have a Camry Hybrid, 2.4 liters, a gas saver, very powerful. I dress it up. Mudguard, sideskirt, front spoiler, wings at the back. I invest in a car, so that when I sell it, I will have a profit.

What are your cheap thrills?

Driving around alone, incognito. It is my anti-stress thrill.

Who is your fantasy?

Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone.

Your favorite movie?

War movies like Bridge on the River Kwai.

Favorite actors?

Richard Gere, Harrison Ford.

Favorite actress?

Reese Witherspoon.

What is your morning ritual?

I wash my face first. I do the treadmill every other day for 25 to 30 minutes.

Your evening ritual?

I take a shower, do my computer work, watch late news. And American Idol.

And who is your pick for American Idol?

Ah, it’s David Archuleta!

Who are your style icons?

Brad Pitt, Bill Clinton. May sex appeal sa girls, kaya minamalas.

Hillary or Obama for US president?

Hillary. I want strong personalities. I find Obama lacking in sincerity. He says things that he doesn’t mean.

What is the military deed you admire the most?

Rescue missions.

Your idea of happiness?

Peace.

Your idea of misery?

Being pathetic.

Your favorite qualities in friends?

Sincerity. All-weather.

Given the choice, where would you like to live?

I love the countryside. Green, simple, quiet, serene.

Who would you never ride with in the same elevator?

Some people in the Senate. Okay lang if they read this, para mag-improve sila.

If you could invite five people, dead or alive, for a dream dinner, who would they be?

Dr. Jose Rizal, Carlos P. Romulo. Einstein — great people from whom I can get ideas. Also Superman, if he is available. Lahat ng beautiful ladies, sana nandoon na rin.

What is your favorite motto?

My own: What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.

What was the best advice ever given to you?

Work hard decently. That’s what my parents taught me. I was born to poor parents. My father was a jeepney driver, and my mother a dry goods vendor in Imus, Cavite. My mother, who is a very religious and virtuous woman, taught me to pray when I have problems.

What do you pray for?

I thank God for the day that was and pray that the following day will be better.

What is the best advice you can give people?

Be candid, be honest, be direct, to the point. Life is too short.

How would you like to die?

It should be a meaningful death. It could be sudden but it should be dramatic and worth remembering. For a particular feat. Sana not dying in your sleep.

What are you afraid of?

There’s something I fear, not for myself, but for my mother, 87,who is now in the ICU. I am afraid that when my phone vibrates, I will get bad news. I dread to lose her. My feeling is that I haven’t given enough of myself for her. Sana kung mabalik lang ang panahon.

What makes you lose your temper?

Hypocrites in government. Salita nang salita, alam ko namang hindi nila gagawin, nanloloko ng tao. (They keep on talking but I know that they won’t do what they’re saying. They’re fooling the people).

What does power mean to you?

Power per se is not bad. It is important. You should use it in a good way.People shouldn’t be afraid of you because you have power. But rather, if you are given power by the people, you should be afraid that these people will be disappointed in you.

What does money mean to you?

Money is all temporary. It is something to be shared with those who have less. Hindi ako madamot, I am not stingy. That’s why I don’t collect pork barrel. I also give back to my staff as an additional bonus all the savings of my office, which amounts to more than a million yearly.

What is your present state of mind?

I am sad for our country.

* * *

For inquiries on how men can get rid of lines and wrinkles fast, call Facial Care Centre For Men at 813-7959 for a free private consultation.