Daez credits his rather strong square jaw for his flourishing modelling career. "It's one of my strongest features, and everybody has been telling me I should be a model or a showbiz personality. I just brushed it aside thinking I'd be working in an office some day." But when the money started coming in, "I sort of began to like it. Who wouldn't? It's not that I desperately needed the money, it was just cool to have some extra cash around so I can keep hanging out with my friends."
His foray into fashion began in 2009 at the Philippine Fashion Week. His first taste of TV came the following year; but he's had a flurry of print campaign for big, local brands.
‘Challenging'
Showbiz only beckoned this year, when a casting agency announced the leading man's role in Amaya, GMA 7's big-budgeted epic series now dominating primetime television. "It's my first and biggest showbiz break. It's a bit challenging because of the magnitude of the project," he says.
The aspiring actor was also nervous of starring opposite Marian Rivera, the acknowledged queen of primetime TV. "I've heard a lot of good and bad things about her, but withheld any opinion until I met her. She's very nice and a very down-to-earth person. The nasty things you hear about her are probably either an exaggeration, or a figment of someone's imagination," he says about his co-star.
A fitness buff, Daez says: "I come from a family who's very active, always on the go. We love playing sports. I go to the gym three times a week, and play a lot of basketball."
He doesn't follow a particular diet, but tries to get a good breakfast and lunch and has a light dinner. He says he grew up on spam and eggs, with garlic rice. And lunch is "almost always Japanese, and my favourite is usually chicken teriyaki". He names Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio as the three women with the most attractive bodies, and considers Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman and Kobe Bryant as men he admires most.
Now that he's into showbusiness, he still tries to maintain his fitness regimen but his "toxic schedule gets in the way most of the time". Still, he's got no regrets. "I'm beginning to like it and if I had my way, I'd like to build a successful career out of this. It's fun, it's never long-term, so I'll try to make the most of it," he says.
Beauty Queen dream
Young star Arci Munoz has set her sights on joining the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant next year. Munoz always dreamed of becoming a beauty queen and with her training and background in modelling and TV, she looks like a strong contender. Munoz is also one of the prettiest young stars. In the meantime, she is keen on producing an album with her band and is taping her latest TV show, Hey, it's Saberday, a new youth-oriented programme on TV5.
Toni in Hot water
TV host and actress Toni Gonzaga has received a lot of flak for confirming reports that her Happy Yippe Yehey co-hosts — John Pratts and Rachel Ann Go — have called it quits. Gonzaga refused to apologise and said it's part of her job as a host of a showbiz talk show to report on happenings and updates about celebrities, including their break-ups. Unfortunately, Gonzaga didn't bother checking with the couple about the status of their relationship; she did so only after her announcement on TV.
Love, actually
GMA7 star Aljur Abrenica has confirmed that he and young actress Kylie Padilla are dating. Abrenica made the announcement after the two attended a showbiz event last week. Abrenica admitted that Padilla has been his inspiration of late, and that they are "getting to know" each other, although they've both agreed not to see anyone else. The actor said he's happy being Padilla's driver and escort, taking her to shootings and accompanying her to showbiz events. Abrenica's set to do another TV series soon, but he's got a movie coming up. He's also one of the lead stars of Temptation Island, a remake of an '80s classic and critically-acclaimed film by director Joey Gosengfiao.
Big Surprise
Jake Cuenca got a big surprise at the launch of ABS CBN's new programmes. The actor was backstage preparing for his next number when he saw his name included in a big project to be produced by Star Cinema, the TV network's film arm. Cuenca's latest project was the surprise hit, In the Name of Love, starring Angel Locsin and Aga Muhlach.
In the movie, Cuenca's performance held up against his more seasoned co-stars and he was in fact praised for his convincing portrayal of his role. The actor is happy that he's part of Ang Huling El Bimbo, which will also feature Coco Martin, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Martin del Rosario.
song on repeat mode Half of My Heart by John Mayer: "You have to listen to this song to appreciate it. Once you do, you're hooked."
Playlist: Akihiro Sato, Brazilian-Japanese, actor/model
One to make me cry: Time of My Life by David Cook: "I just get emotional when I hear this song. It's not sad, but it makes me cry."
This one makes me move: Amazing by Kanye West: "I've got two left feet, but I still dance whenever I hear this song."
At karaoke I would sing Pangako by Ogie Alcasid: "I'm learning Tagalog now and one of the best ways to learn is through a song. This is one of my favourites."
Track I'd skip right now: Right Round by Flo Rida
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