Onemig Reloaded

The "in" word these days is, you guessed it "reloaded" (thannks to Keanu Reeves' smash-hit starrer. Matrix Reloaded) and that's exactly Onemig Bondoc's present state of being - reloaded.

"I've never been as inspired as I am now," said Onemig, 26, who is making waves with his gay role in the Saturday ABS-CBN soap Buttercup. "My character, ,Wilson, has become so popular that when I go out, people don't call me Onemig anymore but Wilson. It simply means that I'm doing a good job, that I'm con-vincing in my portrayal."

At first, Onemig was hesitant to accept the role, not sure whether he could give it justice
- "Because I'm not gay," he stressed - but ended up entrust-ing his "fate" in the hands of Buttercup director Wenn Deramas (of Ang Tanging Ina fame).

"But I did some research, including watching videotapes of movies with gay characters, such as Philadelphia (Tom Hanks as a gay AIDS victim) and Woman on Top (where Penelope Cruz's friend is a gay). Wilson is a closet queen." .u ........
However, Onemig hastened to add, not included in his research was actually embracing and/or touching another guy.

"As I've said, I'm straight and I haven't touched the body of another guy. Pambabae long talaga ako. Besides," he added, "I'm confident of myself; I know myself and I know what I want
- a woman, that is - so playing a gay character won't change whatever I am and the way people look at me. Kapag nagla-lakad nga ako sa mail, people give me the OK sign and say, 'Okey ka, idol!', unlike with several other actors na sinisigawan ng bakla." Playing a gay role is part of Onemig's "reloading" process. Once, he played another offbeat role as a macho dancer, swaying onstage only in bikinis, for an episode in the defunct ABS-CBN soap Your Honor.

"I've always wanted to be a versatile actor and I feel that the right time has come," said Onemig who has been getting more meaty roles in television than in movies. In his last movie, Star Cinema's Ngayong Nandito Ka (starring Jericho Resales and Kristine Hermosa), Onemig played an executive whom Kristine met and fell in love with in Japan. In his next movie, Power Girls (also by Star Cine-ma), he's cast as the nerd boy-friend of Assunta de Rossi (other stars of the movie are Ai Ai delas Alas, Carlos Agassi, Joyce Jimenez and Vhong Navarro). His dream (movie) role is a mental retardate.

Since he started living alone (at a San Juan condo) three years ago, Onemig has declared himself financially independent from his parents (he's one of four children) who, even when Onemig was already in showbiz, gave him a regular allowance (for clothes, gas, dates and other needs). It was because his earnings were being invested in real estate (a lot in Tagaytay, etc.). Onemig is now also a partner and investor in the family businesses (the travel agency Rising Star with offices at Strata 100 on Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City; and the four-year-old Benedictine International School of Quezon City). Soon, he plans to put up a school of nursing.

He has no time for love, he swore, loveless (though not "sexless") since he broke up with China Cojuangco three years ago. Is he that choosy? Smiled Qne-mig, "Somewhat. Sobrang picky. Besides, talagang mahirap palitan si China."

He confessed to being easily turned off by agressive and flirtatious girls who wear heavy make-up. If he can help it, he shuns showbizs girls. "Wala long," he said.

He has a fetish for dean feet - "If a girl's feet are clean, it means that every other part of her body is also clean" - and likes simple girls who are true to themselves.

Asked to name three actresses who typify hib "ideal girl," Oriemig mentioned Jolina Magdangal, Ciara Sotto and Kristine Hermosa. But then, remember, he doesn't want to get involved with any showbiz girl.

- Ricardo Lo, Funfare - Philippine Star- July 11, 2003