Vhong wasn’t always
a girl magnet

Vhong Navarro’s real name is Ferdinand Navarro. His parents called him Bong, for short, after Bongbong Marcos, President Marcos’ only son.

It was when he entered show business that the spelling of his nickname was changed to Vhong.

His parents separated when he was still very young. But he was lucky, said Vhong, because his stepmom was good to him.

His mother now lives in the US.

"I had a happy childhood," Vhong related. "Nagsimula lang akong makaranas ng disappointment, minsan depression, when I started going after girls. Ang daming beses na basted ako ng ilang babaing aking nililigawan.

"When that happens, I go to the rooftop of our house at wala akong ginagawa doon kung hindi magnilay-nilay."

Vhong has always loved to dance. Before becoming a showbiz personality, he joined every dance contest he could.

He was once a member of a dance group which performed at discotheques, until Chito Roño took him in to be part of Streetboys, a dance group organized by the director.

Vhong said it came as a surprise to him when he became the most popular comedian at ABS-CBN and Star Cinema.

"Kahit pa mahilig akong magpatawa," admitted Vhong, "Kasi during breaks at rehearsals, nagpapatawa ako kasama ng Streetboys. Siguro noon naisip ni Direk Chito, now my talent manager, that I can be a comedian."

But it was not an easy climb to success, Vhong said. He first appeared in several episodes of the popular series at that time, "Mother Studio." Then he got first big break as a comedian when he became the sidekick of the late Rico Yan in "Got 2 Believe," which also starred Claudine Barretto. After that Star Cinema gave him the title role in "Mr. Suave." From then on, there was no turning back for Vhong.

In two of his biggest hits, "D’Anothers" and "Agent X-44," he had Pokwang and Mura for his sidekicks. He believes they are his lucky charms. It is no wonder that the two are again featured with Vhong in his soon-to-be released comedy flick for Star Cinema, "Supahpapalicious."

Directed by Gilbert Perez, "Supahpapalicious," as the title suggests, is about a ladies’ man, played by Vhong, who is "super delicious" to women. His character’s name is Adonis, an orphan who falls in love with a "supah delicious" girl, Valerie Concepcion, who plays a single mom to Makisig Morales.

Makisig’s only condition for the man who wants to win his mom’s heart is for him to come from a big family. Thus, Adonis is forced to create an imaginary family by assuming different characters – as Tita Barbara, Lola Paulina and Apol Dayap.

"Doing these roles was very difficult for me," said Vhong. "I had to wear prosthetic make-up. Putting it on took four hours, while the removal of the prosthetics took another two hours."

In real life Vhong, like Adonis, has the reputation of being a playboy. Even if his marriage to Bianca Lapus, mother of his eight-year-old son, Isaiah, has yet to be annulled, he has been linked to stars Diana Zubiri and Desiree del Valle. But Desiree is the most important woman in his life right now. "Pinakikisamahan niya ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. At nai-intindihan niya ang situwasyon ko," said Vhong.