In a function room filled to its capacity with a sufficiently titilated audience at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Century Tuna officially introduced its newest addition to its rock-hard roster of superbods that includes Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay. The event was graced by Century Tuna general manager Greg Banzon and hosted by equally good looking hosts Sam YG and Joyce Pring who kept the crowd adrenalized until the night’s big reveal.
With his gasp-inducing transformation from cute boy next door to fine specimen of sculpted masculinity, millennial icon James Reid was introduced as the newest face of fitspiration for both fitness buffs and those just about to start on the long but rewarding road to becoming physically fit.
Even underneath his loose-fitting blue button down shirt and slim, distressed white jeans, James’ tightened muscle tone, biceps, chest, calves and everything in between unabashedly made an appearance onstage every time spotlights were focused on him last night. (For everyone that missed this, his new billboard along Edsa showing off his bare abdominals is up for viewing and gawking at during your daily commute).
In this event, PeopleAsia managed to catch this burgeoning Filipino-Australian talent in between engagements for a short Q&A session where he talked about his fleshy reinvention, among other things.
Q: In a previous conversation, you said you didn’t have time to exercise. How did you motivate yourself this time around? How do you feel now, a year after?
A: Back then, I was so busy. I get a little bit more rest now. Also, during my one month break, I really took that chance to the most out of it to gain my shape back and try my best now to maintain it because I don’t want to repeat that last time.
Q: How does it feel now? Is there a difference in the way you move? Do you think faster on your feet now?
A: Yes. Being in this business, you learn to think quick. You learn how to keep up with a crazy lifestyle.
Q: You’re a successful actor, a recording artist and now you’re a budding photographer. Are there any other things you’d like to do aside from those things?
A: For me, my dream is really to take my music to another level. Acting has always been fun for me and it helped get me to where I am today, but music is really where I want to take things further.
Q: You and Nadine were two local acts featured in MTV Evolution. How did it feel to be on the same stage as foreign artists?
A: At the time I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was, until afterwards. I saw videos and those on TV and I was like, “Oh my God.” We came after Gary V., he was first. It didn’t really hit me that I was performing with foreign artists, but then after us, it was OneRepublic and those guys.
Q: How did you change your image of being a reality TV show star to a more influential act?
A: I had a very fuzzy, blurry stage after Pinoy Big Brother. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I was so young, I was 17. It started originally with wanting to make music. That’s when I went to Viva. I think the time when I transitioned was in my first movie, Diary ng Panget. Then after that it became clearer. That was the time I decided this is what I want to do originally to sing, then Boss Vic encouraged me to try acting and it worked out so well for me.
Q: Are there still other things you see changing in your career? Is there anything you might want to try out?
A: As far as acting goes, I’d really like to try out different roles, something really challenging. I was thinking something along the lines of intense action, or fantasy. Who knows?
Q: How do you inspire Nadine in terms of getting into an active lifestyle?
A: She actually does it on her own. I think she’s very inspired by my sister because she’s a gym buff. We do work out together, yes. We came from the gym just this morning.
Q: How do you squeeze in your fitness routine in your busy schedule?
A: The time that I do have off, I’ll go to the gym. But that’s only maybe twice, or maximum, on a good week, three times. That’s actually pretty okay with a proper diet. That’s enough to maintain my shape now. But getting to this point, I was really training everyday; six days a week with rest for one day.
Q: What would you say to guys now who say they don’t have time to work out?
A: Make the time! You make the time. If it’s what you really want, you make the time. I woke up early today, before the photo shoot, before coming here.
Q: In one sentence, how would you describe the process you went through?
A: One word, discipline.
Q: Once getting into the business, what did you advise her?
A: I told her to do what she felt comfortable doing. She first wanted to do modeling before she got into more demanding things like hosting, acting. She’s still taking lessons for her acting, dancing and Tagalog. I told her to just do what makes her comfortable and now she’s really flourishing in the modeling side.
Q: What other things about you have changed, aside from the physical aspects?
A: Oh I am physically unrecognizable, from my totoy days and now. Self-confidence was a big thing for me. I never thought I could do the things that I do today. And as I went along, people told me ‘ You know what? You’re good at this, and you’re good at that,’ and that gave me confidence to try things. And I ended up loving to sing, it’s my passion. So I really completely transformed from who I was then to who I am now.
And for anyone wondering, his favorite way to prepare his favorite super snack Century Tuna, it’s with a generous serving of fresh, crisp greens. Time to hit the grocery!
(James may have boyish charm on the outside, but he’s hundred percent man underneath that shirt)
