Rafael Rosell is one of the sexiest men in local showbiz today. No doubt his rugged physique makes a big selling pointfor Martha Cecilia's Kristine, the latest ABS-CBN primetime teleserye. Photos and shots from the trailer show the actor either with his shirt unbuttoned or he's totally shirtless.
Even his Kristine co-star Cristine Reyes gushes about him, "Very sexy! Lalo na pag nakita mo ang mga abs niyan."
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) caught up with Raf after the show's press conference held at the 9501 Restaurant in ABS-CBN last August 10, and asked him how he keeps his body in shape.
"I go to the gym, I surf, I took up Capoeira, I meditate, and I don't eat meat," he replied.
Rafael is a pescetarian. "Beginning of this year, I've decided to quit meat, like beef and pork, and now I've stopped [eating] chicken. I've seen a lot of documentaries kasi sa Internet and I've read a lot of things about those things. Pero I'm not gonna preach about it. It's my own philosophy, my choice lang. I stick to fish and everything else."
Pescetarian (also spelled pescatarian) followers, as explained in About.com, are "those who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish. Although the word is not commonly used and a pescatarian is not technically a vegetarian, more and more people are adopting this kind of diet, usually for health reasons or as a stepping stone to a fully vegetarian diet. Pescetarians often believe that moderate consumption of fish or fish oils, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, is necessary for optimum health, although vegetarian alternatives, such as flax seed oil, are available."
Big names who are or were pescetarians are Hollywood actors Ted Danson (Cheers, Damages), Common (Wanted, Terminator Salvation) and David Duchovny (X-Files, Californication), musician Tracy Chapman ("Fast Cars," "Baby Can I Hold You"), Queen Sofia of Spain, and Apple Inc. co-founder, iPhone, iPod and iPad inventor Steven Jobs.
Aside from his diet, Raf doesn't have any vices, like smoking or alcohol. "I stay away from alcohol. I believe in organic stuff. As much as possible, no chemicals such as Paracetamol or whatever. Mas natural, fruits and vegetables lang talaga."
The African-Brazilian art of Capoeira also helps Rafael stay in shape. Whenever he has the time, he goes to Club 650 in Libis, Quezon City, and trains with the Sinha Bahia De Capoeira, says the 27-year-old actor.
The Sinha Bahia De Capoeira website (www.capoeira.com.ph) says Capoeira is a blend of self-defense acrobatics, dance, music and song. Its origins are still debated, but the most common belief is that it originated in colonial Brazil in the midst of the African slaves' fight for freedom. Forbidden from carrying weapons, the slaves resorted to using their bodies as weapons and disguising their unique and deadly fighting style as a dance form.
"'Pag may oras, pag hindi ako puyat, pag walang taping, I go to Capoeira in Libis. You're all more than welcome to join us train," says Rafael. "Just go there every Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 pm, at Club 650 in Libis and look for Joseph or Pipo. Just tell them I was the one who referred you and you'll get your first session free."
Rafael plays Marco De Silva, the lawyer-haciendero heir of the De Silva clan in Martha Cecilia's Kristine.