‘Supermania’ becomes this super singer

His workrequires him to invest in shoes and clothes.

Jed Madela says dressing up well is part of being a singer and TV personality.

He tells Living Stars: “People who support show-biz celebrities like me expect us to look good all the time. This requires an extreme amount of effort on our part. Sad to say, we can’t be seen wearing a particular outfit twice. We really have to invest in clothes and shoes.”

Jed is seen every Sunday on the variety show “ASAP” on ABS-CBN. “I have shirts and pants in all colors, so that when the show stylists tell us that we should wear red, for example, mayroon akong huhugutin. I buy different kinds of shoes so that when the show goes for, let’s say, the 1950s look. I am prepared,” says the Universal Records artist.

Footwear

If girls are into bags, I guess guys are into shoes and belts. I used to have a lot of sneakers—I still do but, as I got older, my preference changed. This pair of Marlboro Classics is memorable because it’s the first pair I bought with my own money. It cost me P11,000. I thought hard before buying this because I wasn’t earning all that much at the time.

He changes watch straps and belts depending on his mood.

I now have pairs from Aldo, Springfield, Gucci, Ferragamo, Giordano, Zara, Paul Smith, Louis Vuitton, and of course, Converse Chucks.

Stylists would tell me to buy shoes na mapapa-wow ako. But they also said to avoid radical styles. I remember having pairs that are so pointy that I looked like an elf. They were in fashion for a while.

Every pair functions differently. A pair of boots, like this Bershka from Dubai, is perfect for the rugged look. There was a time in “ASAP” when we often went rock. These Guccis, which I found in the States, are perfect for the rock peg.

Recently, I bought two pairs designed by Bang Pineda. They’re platform shoes for guys. I call them statement shoes. Not many are able to pull it off.

Jed has been collecting Superman items since 2000.

Clothes

I have jeans in all colors, from the usual denims to black, gray and white. Same with shirts. I have striped shirts in purple, black and white, as well as polka dots, printed and plaid.

I suggest that you buy clothes that fit well. Don’t just follow trends. If you’re 40, don’t wear neon colors just because they’re in fashion. Dress your age. If you’re 16, don’t dress like you’re 25.

Accessories

Framed photo of Jed as Superman is a fan’s gift.

I buy a little bit of everything—leather cuffs, beads, metal straps—because of the job. But for the practical buyer, one silver bracelet and one black leather bracelet should be enough.

My favorite is this classic leather bracelet from Hermes. I saved up for this—though accessories need not be expensive, unless you’re brand-conscious. As long as one looks good on you, that’s enough.

If girls are fond of jewelry, earrings, necklaces, guys are interested in watches. People like to give me watches. I have pieces by G Shock, Armani, Daniel Hechter, Philip Stein, Ice, Toy, Guess, TW Steel, Aldo, Diesel, and an ODM jelly watch.

Buy quality pieces. I’ve had my Philip Stein piece for 10 years. For a while, I collected leather straps for this watch, changing them depending on my moods—green, blue, black, white, red and yellow.

He says his TW Steel timepiece is one of the biggest he has.

Memorabilia

I started collecting Superman items in 2000 when I got hooked on the series “Smallville.” I watched all 10 seasons—not on TV, though. I bought the DVDs so I could watch each entire season straight.

Collection of cool and colorful watches. It’s a guy thing, he says.

When I went to Canada I found this store that sells memorabilia and autographed items. I got a signed script of one “Smallville” episode. I also bought the framed poster with the actors’ autographs.

From “Smallville,” I reverted to Superman. I watched all the Superman movies then bought a lot of stuff about him. People eventually found out that I was collecting, and sent me items like mugs, or this clock, or this necktie.

I was surprised to get a life-sized Superman from a supporter one morning. He said he saw my show, liked it and bought the gift for me.

I also have a Superman bust, a kryptonite ball pen, a Superman wristwatch, underwear from Top Shop and baby ornaments. I have Superman shirts, pajamas and some vinyl figurines that I bought during a trip to Los Angeles.

Tere de Hermes has replaced all the other scents he used to wear.

Scents

I used to fill up my cabinet with different kinds of scents, but I later realized ’di pala dapat. Bulgari Extreme became my favorite for a while. After years of trying lots of perfumes, I’ve finally found the one that’s right for me—Tere de Hermes.

This has become my signature scent. It’s very musky but with a hint of floral. It really lasts a long time. I like it so much that I also have the soap, lotion and shaving cream variants. I stock up whenever I go abroad. I have around 10 bottles.

Gadgets

Gadgets are useful in many ways, he notes, especially for killing time on the set.

I’m a really techie guy. I have a desktop iMac, a MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. I also have an iPad 2. In this kind of job you spend most of your time waiting. I keep myself busy with my gadgets.

I take pictures with my iPhone 4 or my iPad 2 then post them online. I still use my iMac to edit music. I have two Blackberry phones—the Torch and Bold. I got a Neo cell in Dubai and a cell-phone watch called Swap. I also have two Polaroid Fuji cameras, a lomography camera and my favorite, a Leica.

DVDs

Neatly stacked dresser.

I have a complete collection of “Shake Rattle and Roll” movies. (He appeared in “SRR XII.”) I’ve been a fan of the franchise since I was young. The sad part was, I had to order these online. We don’t have them here in the country anymore.

I collect DVDs of musicals like “Les Miserables,” “Mama Mia,” “Chicago,” “My Fair Lady,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Dream Girls” and “Phantom of the Opera,” which is my all-time favorite. I also have DVDs of concerts by Beyonce, Queen, Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Black Eyed Peas and Michael Jackson, among others. I love horror films like “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th” and “Twilight Zone.”

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Photos by Jim Guiao Punzalan