How capoeira keeps Rafael Rosell hot yet cool

This sizzling hunk is a regular of Bench summer billboards and ads. Blessed not only with the body but also with great talent, Rafael Rosell is busy with about nine major projects this year alone. 

The 5’9.5” Rafael Rosell was born in Norway to Filipino parents. In his official website, Rafael revealed that he came home to understand his roots and discover why he was raised to say po and opo, kuya, and ate, why he was subjected to early curfew, given household chores, and brought up on a restricted allowance. In the process, he auditioned for commercials and landed a Close Up job that became the prelude to a colorful showbiz career.

He worked on his Tagalog, even taking formal lessons until he became very proficient. In 2007, he earned an acting award as Urian Best Supporting Actor for his role in the indie film Romeo and Juliet.  He is part of a group of Star Magic hunks called “Coverboys” who are very in demand in live concerts here and abroad.  They are about to do a second leg of the “Uncovered US Tour” before the year ends.

Rosell who landed the role of Brandon in the ABS-CBN Precious Hearts Romance series Midnight Phantom said that he would like to focus now on work rather than romance.  In the series, Rafael plays a mysterious midnight DJ with a dark past.

And while he admitted to dating a model, his continuous romance seems to be with the Brazilian martial arts capoeira where Rafael derives not only physical but spiritual benefits as well. He obliged to an e-mail interview despite his hectic schedule to provide us a sneak preview on how he takes care of the body we see in Bench billboards and storefronts.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Have you encountered any weight and fitness problems before?          

Rafael Rosell: No, not really. Once, earlier this year, my knee got busted, and that’s it. Just had to let it heal and work it out again for it to regain its strength. Weight issues, none. The industry and society make the issues.

What part of your body are you most proud of? Why?

None. I don’t have any favorite body parts. I look at the body in totality.

What part of your body you think needs further improvement?                           

There’s always room for improvement. Depends on what I’m working for, actually. Sometimes there are jobs that don’t require any flesh at all. Those days, I don’t think the body needs improvement at all. The jobs that require flesh, those days, everything needs to be improved.

What is your favorite gym exercise?              

Burpees, plank, bench jumps, and the upside-down hanging abs exercise.

Do you follow any strict diet?

Nope.  I just make bawi (compensate) in the gym.

How much sleep do you get every day?

On a busy month, I can go for weeks with just an average of two to three hours of sleep every night. Sometimes even no sleep at all. On free days, I make sure to sleep as much as I can.

Any vices?

Not anymore; except for PlayStation and food tripping.

Any cheat days?

If there are no rules, then there is no cheating, right? If there are, then yeah, I cheat every day.

What food cravings do you succumb to?

I give in to all my cravings.

What is your current fitness goal?

To get back in shape.

What is your regular exercise and diet regimen?

Depends on what I feel that day. If I feel hyper and jumpy, then I make my own plyo/weight/circuit workout. If I just feel like I have to go because I have to go, then it’s the regular weight/cardio routine. No diet regimen.

Do you take supplements?

Multivitamins.

Do you have any sports? How often do you play?

Capoeira. I play whenever I have free time from work. Which, this year, has been none.

How did you get into capoeira? What other sports are you into?

I played tekken 3 when I was younger and started developing a fondness for the art, but it was only here in the Philippines that I actually joined a school. I’m also into other sports, whatever sports you can throw me into. I’m more of an all-a-rounder actually. I grew up doing a lot of sports. But I usually get myself into gymnastics because it complements the moves in capoeira.

What physical benefits do you get from capoeira?

Stamina, agility, coordination, strength, and cardio. And for some, like myself, spiritual well-being.

Any other non-physical benefits from engaging in capoeira?

You can improve your spiritual well-being, and it’s also a stress reliever. It also teaches you how to play the instruments if you want to learn.

Do you recruit your family and friends to join you? How do you convince them?

I got my youngest brother to do it. He just thought it was cool and joined. My friends have tried it, too. Usually, I win them over when I teach them a cartwheel, and they realize it’s not that difficult, and then they join for a session and get addicted, too.

How did capoeira help you cope with different moments in life?

It helped me find myself back to reality during a time when I was doing the Greek play, Oedipus Rex. The character was so heavy I sometimes lost myself. Same situation when I portrayed Lucas Santander in Maligno. Through the music, movements, and interaction my “sparring partner,” I found myself again.

How does capoeira help you in your career?

It relieves stress, makes me forget about the hustle and bustle of business and it lets me escape from my character’s mentality. It has also helped me with coordination when stunts and fight scenes on the set are required.

What are you training for right now?

Nothing at the moment. (I am) just slowly getting back into that active life after working hard this year.

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Thank you to Star Magic, Jojo Liamzon of Bench and Anthony Yu for sharing the photos.

Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.