Terrence Romeo—INSTAGRAM
Terrence Romeo is arguably the most popular player of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) this era. “Golden Boy,” his PBA moniker, has a fine resemblance to Daniel Padilla. No, he would rather not comment on his controversial tiff with Ginebra San Miguel’s LA Tenorio during the quarter finals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. “It’s all part of the game,” he says.
The hard court heartthrob is too busy being happy with his fiancée and preparing for the next PBA conference.
Here’s my chat with Terrence:
Would you be willing to join show biz? Maybe if it’s for an action film, I’d give it a try.
If you were to shoot a movie, who would you want to be your leading lady? I can’t imagine playing a lead role. I would rather be a kontrabida. I can’t think of a particular leading lady. I feel they are beyond my reach.
Why are you keeping the identity of your fiancée a secret? We believe in privacy. To keep our relationship healthy, we must enjoy each other’s company away from the limelight. My love life is the only thing that’s private about me—and I want to keep it that way.
What made you realize that your fiancée was “the one?” My ideal girl has always been someone who has the same traits as my mother. My fiancée and my Mama have a lot of similarities, that was why I knew she was the right one for me. She’s loving and thoughtful.
What’s the sweetest thing that you’ve done for your fiancée? I gave her a huge bouquet in public—and when I proposed to her.
What’s the best and toughest part of being a Gilas player? The best part is being able to represent our country. The tough parts are the sacrifice we make in conditioning our bodies, and being away from our loved ones when we train and compete abroad.
How do you handle defeat? I take every defeat as a motivation to do better in the succeeding games.
How do you handle intrigues? I take them with a grain of salt. I don’t dwell on them because I know who I am, and I know the truth.
What do you remember most about your struggling years? When I flunked during my sophomore year in Letran, I thought that was the end of my basketball dreams.
What is your pregame ritual? Prayer.
At what age do you intend to retire from the PBA? God willing, 45 years old.
Aside from basketball, what else are you good at? Chess.
What do you wish you could be good at? Speaking in English.
What was the turning point of your life? When I became a PBA player. It brought many blessings and it made me a blessing to others, especially to my family.
What’s your advice to PBA rookies? Never get tired of practicing. Sacrifice, give 100 percent. And most of all, never forget God.
What’s the craziest thing that a fan has done?
When they are on “stalker” mode. They know where I live even if I just transferred and they even know what time I get home. It kinda freaks me out.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned, so far? Never bully or look down on anyone. Be fair and always be willing to help.