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HUNK RISING
How to get Jon Avila stay awhile with you…
By JACQUELINE L. AGATEP
HIS looks could send thousands of women to maul each other just to be near him. His chiseled good looks, even well-chiseled body, and that accent-his knockout special effect-may lead one to think he’s genetically bred to be in show business.
The twenty-six-year-old hottie, born Jonathan Mullaly to a Filipina mom and Irish dad, finished a course in business in London and worked in a bank. After three years being an account manager, he headed to the Philippines for a vacation. Here he found his niche when a casting agent asked him to model-but on the condition he had to lose weight. Lose the bulge he did and the Fil-Irish steadily raked in modeling stints in print, ramp, and television commercials until finally he entered Big Brother’s house. Growing up in England, Jon had always found it hard to blend in school because of his heritage. Thus during Pinoy Big Brother’s second Celebrity Edition, housemates called Jon the English Outcast. From Big Brother’s house, Jon needed to take only a few steps to big, big show biz land.
Since then, the six-foot-two eye candy has been a magnet not only of women, matronas, and gays, but also of webloids, being briefly linked to fellow ex-PBB housemate Mariel Rodriguez, fellow ASAP ’09 mainstay Nikki Gil, and Kapitan Boom costar Maja Salvador, among others. He’s also hotly tipped for every Sexiest Men honor and lingerie fashion shows. These days, Jon doesn’t mind having his name affixed with the words sexy or sex symbol.
“I’m flattered because my name is in the same sentence as sex symbol,” he says.
With Jon’s newfound status, members of the entertainment press often ask him about his love life to which he always answers, “Not seeing anyone.” But what about the rumors linking him to Status: Single costar Rufa Mae Quinto? They seemed lovey dovey during the shooting of their movie.
“No, magkaibigan lang kami,” he says straight, like a true Brit. Not surprising because during a recent interview, he said his work is his girlfriend nowadays.
Okay, enough of the girl probes. Change the subject.
He’ll want to talk about beaches. “Beach, beach, beach! The white sand, clear water, and the cool parties.”
Aside from Boracay he also wants to visit beaches in Bohol or Cebu.
He’d also perk up if you say ice cream and Halo-halo.
To get the conversation with him going, ask about the time he bagged the first prize of the Century Tuna Superbod Contest in 2006. “Sarap ng feeling nun!” he will say.
So you can say something impressive, know details about his movie alongside Aga Muhlach and Anne Curtis and the Mars Ravelo comic book superhero Kapitan Boom in the ABS-CBN fantaserye of the same name. Tip: he bagged the title role.
More hints: he will be reprising the role in SanLakas together with Mariel Rodriguez (Varga), Vhong Navarro (Lastikman), Luis Manzano (Flash Bomba), and John Pratts (Tiny Tony).
If you haven’t yet, watch him in Shall We Dance. He hosts the show with Lucy Torres. And did you know he’s touring locally and internationally as part of the all-male act Coverboys? Check it out.
Next up, he is expected to show his acting chops in Manila, an indie film which stars Piolo Pascual and also coproduced by him, as a tribute to late directors Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. For Jon, it is a different territory, nevertheless challenging for him as an actor. He says, “I’m busy doing acting workshops.”
By the way, don’t speak to him in English. He will like it if you help him polish his Filipino. He tried to answer all our interview questions in the native language.
If he’s about to go, tell him you wish he’d get an acting award and get to work with Judy Ann Santos. Those are his dreams.
He’ll probably sit and talk awhile…
Hot Stuff
Have you ever had a summer fling? Is that a cocktail? He-he.
What is your ideal summer date? Beach, candlelight, and a good conversation.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? If in doubt, don’t.
What is one ability you wish you had? Invisibility or the ability to time travel.
What is it about you that people would be surprised to know? That I’m shy.
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