EDU Manzano is one of the busiest TV
personalities around today. As host of "Game Ka na Ba?" "1 Vs.
100," and "Umagang Kay Ganda," he is also one of the most
visible and popular celebrities in the business.
But it’s not as if Edu is just starting his
career. In fact, he has been in show business for decades. He
started out as a matinee idol in the ‘70s. Then he became an
accomplished actor in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He also became the
president of the Philippine Actor’s Guild KAPP (Kapisanan ng mga
Artista sa Pelikulang Pilipino) in 1995. Currently, he is the
chairman of the Optical Media Board.
So, truth be told, Edu has quite a number of
accomplishments that are already under his belt. And yet, at 52,
he has gotten a second wind. He has revived a ‘70s song and
turned it into a hit dance craze that not only appeals to the
old but has also captured a new and younger audience.
Furthermore, he has also remained active in
judo and All-Terrain-Vehicles (or ATVs) racing. So, one can’t
help but ask, "How does he do it?" Here is what he has to say:
Question: Edu, you’re pretty much
everywhere nowadays– TV shows, guestings, and I heard that
you’re also into ATVs and martial arts. May time ka pa ba
to do all of these?
Edu Manzano: "I always make time to try
out new things and to keep my body in shape."
Q: How did you get into these hobbies of
yours? ‘Yung sa martial arts?
Edu: "Nagstart ako ng judo mga
nine years old. In 1978, nag-captain ako sa De La
Salle University Judo Team and sabay umabot ako sa 4th
dan black belt. I eventually became the executive vice president
of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association."
Q: How about ‘yung ATV?
Edu: "I was doing small bikes before,
hanggang nag-graduate ako sa big bikes. Ang
nagustuhan ko sa kanila, meron kang nakukuhang energy rush
na parang lumalaki ang dibdib mo, napapangiti ka ng mas
malaki, and it never failed to allow you to feel free.
‘Yan ang isa sa mga dahilan kaya nahiligan ko talaga ang
ATVs and motorcycles."
Q: How many years have you been riding
ATVs and motorcycles?
Edu: "Well, siguro, motorcycles
since I was 16 years old, at ikaw na ang gumawa ng
mathematics."
Q: And you’re still into martial arts and
motorcycles until today. That’s very admirable.
Edu: "Importante para sa akin,
that, no matter how old I am, kailangan laging ensayado ako.
I have a healthy diet. I take the proper vitamins and
supplements that allow me to engage in any kind of physical
activity na gusto ko."
Q: What’s your secret in keeping yourself
young?
Edu: "Marami pa’ng nagsasabi na
‘why do I still engage in sports hanggang ngayon?’ I’ve
always felt na maganda na i-test mo ‘yong sarili mo.
Push yourself to the limit. Don’t allow ourselves na
malilimitahan ng edad. Sinasabi nga nila, age is but a state
of mind. So I’m very careful to watch;’yong aking diyeta
and I take my vitamin and supplement intake very, very
seriously. I take HavitAll which is a multivitamin formulated to
enhance normal cell regeneration."
Q: Cell regeneration? High tech!
Edu: "Actually it’s not nga, kasi
cell regeneration is a daily process by which our body’s cells
continuously replace and restore themselves to maintain the
body’s normal function. But, as we mature, this process
naturally slows down. So it’s important to also take
multivitamin supplements that help enhance cell regeneration so
my old cells are constantly replaced with new ones, para
I’m literally ‘new inside.’"
Q: And it shows, Edu. Still many can’t
believe you’re 52. Wala sa hitsura.
Edu: "It’s also the attitude. Kasi it’s not how
old you are, but how young you feel inside. So never close your
passion and enthusiasm. And ‘andoon din ‘yong sinasabing
ngumiti ka, have fun. Smile. And always be ready for what’s
next."