This man has many faces

MANILA, Philippines - It’s always awkward when you’ve seen the guy you’re having coffee with in next to nothing — and not in a locker room sense at that.

Such is the life of a male model. Google “Alvin Alfonso” and that’s what you’re getting — a never-ending assault of semi-naked man meat, toned, tan, and in tiny Speedos. Immortalized and enshrined on the information superhighway, these pictures, featuring Alvin carefully-waxed and in crotch-centric poses, will follow Alvin forever.

It’s not a legacy that bothers Alvin. “I wasn’t shy when I did those photos,” he says. “I’ve always been kind of an exhibitionist. Now, they make for a good laugh.”

Last time we saw Alvin Alfonso, he was one of Manila’s most popular ramp and commercial models. He was the face that launched dozens of campaigns, hawking everything from PLDT DSL to Bench. But when your face is on everything — even your toothpaste — you run the risk of overexposure. Paralyzed by his endorsements’ lockout deals, he went abroad — conquering new horizons and eventually ending up as a Channel V VJ.

From Alvin To Alvey

Today, the Filipino-Canadian is back home, now as DJ Alvey. He’s dropped the showbiz moniker, resurfacing with his childhood nickname “Alvey” and his father’s last name “Pulga.”

Rosetta stone the past five years and start again. Meet Alvey Pulga.

On a Wednesday afternoon at the Leviste Street Starbucks, he’s unrecognizable in huge sunglasses and shorts and a tank. But even with half his face hidden, the voice is unmistakable and the personality larger-than-life. We’re sitting at a table near the comfort room, cut off from the world and in relative silence, but you know Alvey Pulga is the center of the room.

We’re midway through an hour-and-a-half-long interview and he’s already recreated a dance he did in a Malaysian club, as well as an impression of himself inebriated. (“I’m a good drunk”). Later, he’ll tell me about his tenaciously bushy eyebrows and fondness for gay icon divas. (“Kylie Minogue? Madonna? I love that stuff.”)

He’s over-sharing and I’m suddenly in the quintessential Almost Famous conundrum: After some bromantic bonding over coffee, do you screw your interviewee over by publishing the money quote embarrassing crap he’s been spewing since the start of the interview?

It’s an ethical dilemma because Alvey’s a likable guy. Friendly, loud, and outgoing, he’s that guy — the life of the party every entourage of bros needs. Think Turtle but with washboard abs and game to rival Vince Chase’s. He hands out high-fives like they’re the most recognized currency in the world. Perhaps it’s this quality that makes him so in demand, so hirable.

Ask him to recount his rise to VJ-dom and it sounds like a fairy tale: “Coincidence. I was at the same club as the director of Channel V International … They called me in for a screen test and yeah, they asked me after the test.” It’s so perfect, so serendipitous that it’s almost unbelievable, like a reality show or the oh-look-there-is-a-boat-just-in-time plot of 2012.

The Alvey Invasion

But Alvey and fame have been serendipitous for a while now. As a balikbayan visiting with his dad, he was spotted by an agent and then signed as a model. Soon after, he booked high-profile campaigns and magazine covers, later going around the world, booking gigs everywhere. Eventually, an especially convincing “Malaysia Truly Asia” commercial drew him to Malaysia and, being at the right place at the right time, booked the Channel V job a day before leaving for his next stop — a back-packing trip to Europe. There, he booked brands like Diesel and Armani, before finally returning to Asia for Channel V.

It’s a charmed life of traveling, beautiful models, continuous lucky breaks, and good times. And it’s almost unfair. Among legions and legions of wannabe supermodels and wannabe VJs hustling for the big break, he walks into a bar and he just happens to book the VJ position because the director of Channel V just happens to be partying at the same place. Yes, it’s been a charmed life and there comes a point when you start to begrudge him for it.

But that’s just it. You can’t because he’s a good guy — the kind of guy who apologizes to the interviewer for finishing a whole tape, the kind of guy who prays every night and makes time for his bros. There’s a generosity in the way he carries himself — more generous than his pretty magnanimous laugh. He makes sure everyone, even the interviewer in my case, has a great time. He’ll do anything for a laugh — confess his eyebrow-plucking included.

The V Man

It’s what makes him a VJ and the right guy to help bring Channel V to Philippine shores. The recently-launched Channel V Philippines aims to change the Filipino music video-watching experience. Instead of the usual Black Eyed Peas club-thumper, they’re giving you music from over — from Death Cab For Cutie’s poetics to Sugarland’s country to, yes, the Black Eyed Peas. It’s like a younger, fresher, local version of VH1— diverse music with lifestyle programming for the Channel V viewer. And with fresh blood like Cliff Cole alongside local luminaries like Maike Evers, Megan Young, and even Supreme’s Tim Yap as current VJs, or in Tim’s case host, they’re sure to put a Pinoy twist on the channel.

“It’s an awesome job,” Alvey says. “I really enjoy it and obviously, I like talking.” But we already knew that. Throw anything at him, from a backpacking trip across Europe to dressing up like Maxheadroom for this shoot. This is Alvey Pulga — up for anything, the perpetual life of the party. Heck, Speedos aren’t even an issue.

“While you’re young and while you can,” he says.

22 Questions with VJ Alvey

When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was your first thought?

Blank [from a hangover].

What were you doing midnight last night?

Poker night with the boys.

What’s a word you say a lot?

Awesome!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Kylie Minogue, Pussycat Dolls, Madonna

What’s your dream vacation?

It’s not the destination but who you’re with. I’d bring my big bro.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever gotten?

“I’ve always known Alvin was going to do something special,” from the high school drama teacher.

What’s the last move you saw that you liked?

Black Balloon.

What’s the song you sing in the shower?

I kind of make up my own songs.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

X-ray vision. I’m kind of a perv.

Who were you last Halloween?

Had to go to Hong Kong so we weren’t able to. I was gonna be the Cat from Kiss the drummer.

Who’s your favorite Gossip Girl?

I wanna bang Serena, but I kind of like Little J.

If you had to never wash either your bed sheets or your bath towel, which would it be?

Bed sheets. I’m not a smelly guy, but you’ve got to wash your bath towels.

What’s your childhood nickname?

Alvey.

As a lover of different cultures, what’s the best nationality?

Czech Republic.

What’s something you do alone but not with others?

I pluck my eyebrows.

What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done drunk?

A fat chick.

What’s the dare you dared to do but now regret?

I never regret anything I dared.

What’s something you envy in the opposite sex?

The clit? I hear it’s 10 times more sensitive [than the penis].

What would you change if you could change anything about yourself?

I would like to follow through, be more focused.

What’s the last thing you do before you sleep?

Pray a lot.

What’s your biggest regret?

Not joining choir and school theater.

What’s your life philosophy?

Try everything at least once.