Commercial model and TV host Rovilson Fernandez finds nothing wrong with being a metrosexual—a man who pays much attention to his physical appearance.
“I owe it to people to look good,” Rovilson, a regular on the GMA News TV variety show “Ang Pinaka,” tells Living Stars during this visit to his home in Taguig City.
He offers these tips on how to impress the ladies: “Always wear fitted shirts. Most Pinoy guys prefer loose tops—girls hate that. Get a good tailor. He will make you look like a million dollars. And please, guys, no more skinny jeans! Boot-cut is better, more masculine. Have your jeans hemmed. Crumpled is not good.”
Also a product endorser and events host, Rovilson said one couldn’t be cheap, either, when it comes to footwear. “Even if you put on a nice top and designer jeans, if your shoes are ugly, they’d ruin the look. Women notice these things. Take care of your shoes. If you love them, they will love you back.”
Rovilson runs to maintain his buff bod. “I was running before there were races here. A lot of my friends smoke and I’ve been trying to convince them to stop and just run with me. Badminton was just a fad; running will be around longer.”
Cosmetics
I used to host a lot of L’Oreal events and people gave me products from Kiehl’s. The brand is perfect for men. Another brand that I like, Pevonia Botanica, is Swiss and just got here. I’m very kikay—metrosexual, as you can probably tell.
Scents
I wear different scents, but my favorite is by Bvlgari. I use it for super-special occasions. It smells masculine but not overpowering. It’s distinct and unique. When you get a whiff of it, you know someone important has entered the room. I also like my Escada, which is over 10 years old. I don’t even know if they still make this.
Tops
I’m always in the gym, so I have a collection of Mizuno dry-fit shirts. For workout clothes, pick those that you can do multisports in, like for basketball, running and soccer. You save money that way. For tops, I encourage people to join races because you get a lot of freebies, including singlets.
I’m a jacket guy. Sadly, we live in a country where it’s uncomfortable to wear jackets. I like the brown leather piece because it reminds me of my favorite character growing up, MacGyver. The Fred Perry jacket is from London—I went there for a meeting as an editor of Maxim Philippines. I got it during a swap meet. It’s an original from the 1960s, a classic.
My shirts are either solids or with patterns. Right now, I’m a big fan of the checkered shirt. You can wear it with a floral tie. It’s good to wear contrasting patterns.
Shoes
I have a pair of running shoes from Mizuno that I always use. It’s called Wave Creation 11. I’ve already had four pairs of this design. It’s what I was using when I started winning in running events. I’m superstitious. I like to keep wearing the same things, be consistent.
My favorite dress shoes are by Kenneth Cole. They have wooden soles that make a distinct sound when you walk. I take good care of them. After a party, even when I’m tired or drunk, I make sure to clean them before storing. I’ve been to war with them—danced in them, thrown up on them, but they still look good.
Bottoms
Levi’s gave me my favorite jeans. Most Levi’s have the Red Tag, but they made a special one, Capital E. These are limited-edition jeans, which I saw for the first time in a London boutique. They cost about US$600 to US$700. When I got back to Manila, I wrote Levi’s about it and I got two pairs, which I wore every single day until one of them got a hole in the butt. Sadly, I had to throw that pair away. Levi’s don’t make these anymore so I have to preserve the remaining pair.
My friend (English-Thai model-actress) Paula Taylor gave me the kick-boxing shorts from Thailand. I wear them to sleep.
Accessories
I endorse Maldita Man. All its tops and bottoms are great, but I love its accessories the most. Take the tan belt: I have a thin version for formal occasions and a thick one for a more casual look. It’s in fashion. You can wear one with an all-black outfit—pretty stylish.
You should have one piece of jewelry on you, like the ring from Michelis or the bracelet from Maldita Man. I like the ring, it’s a conversation piece.
I always wear a scarf—it’s function over fashion for me. When I go to malls or movie houses, or ride an airplane, I get cold because I have no hair, so I wrap a scarf around my head.
Bag
I used the North Face backpack in “Amazing Race,” in 2007. It’s been all over the world with me. It’s very durable. I keep it for its sentimental value.
Reading
I’m into reading fashion, furniture and landscaping magazines.
“Now I Can Die in Peace” was written by my favorite author, Bill Simmons. This is about his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, which hadn’t won in over a hundred years until 2004, when it finally became season champ. Simmons wrote about his trials and tribulations as a sports fan. I can relate.
“The Beach,” a story of backpackers in Thailand, is by Alex Garland. I first read it when I moved to the Philippines from the States. I was able to really feel what the writer was going through because I had also lived a nomadic lifestyle. It’s an adventure book. While I was reading it, I went off on an adventure myself.
The Filipino-English Dictionary is another important book. I have to learn a new word every day. “What Would MacGyver Do? Stories of Improvised Genius in Everyday Life” is also a good read.
Three people each gave me a copy of “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch. Dying of cancer, Pausch was going to live the rest of his life either feeling sorry for himself, or living every day as if it were his last. It’s very heartwarming.
DVDs
I got into TV because I used to watch John Ritter. I loved his acting. He’s also the reason I went to film school. He’s one of my favorite actors, before Jim Carrey. I grew up on “Three’s Company.”
“Pulp Fiction” is my all-time favorite movie. Other weird movies that I like are “The Fight Club,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?,” “Closer,” “Juno,” and “500 Days of Summer.”
“Planet Earth,” a BBC documentary on nature, took five years to make. It’s recorded in 1080p HD. Whenever I watch it, I feel happy that I’m still young and able to travel. There are so many things you have to see.
I love watching Chris Rock’s (fourth comedy album) “Never Scared.” My friends and I would hang out in one place and just watch him do stand-up comedy.