Romnick Sarmenta is glad that his life these days is no longer ruled by jam-packed taping schedules.
From time to time, he still appears on soaps, but the '80s leading man is glad that he has more time for his family and his hobbies.
At the pocket presscon for his Cinemalaya entry Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset) last July 30, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to interview him.
When asked about his vices, he replied, "Sigarilyo lang. I don’t drink."
But motorcycles are his obsession.
He presently owns "apat na big bikes—dalawang Harley, dalawang Kawasaki."
He exclaimed, "I ride bicycles on the highways," and added that it gives him a natural high.
"Masaya lang. Masayang mag-motor. Kung magawa ko lang mag-motor araw-araw. So that makes me happy.
"Ever since bata pa, e, gusto ko talaga yung motor, e."
It was previously reported that his wife Harlene Bautista holds the keys to his big bikes.
Laughing, he said, "Hindi."
Though he informed Harlene before buying the motorcycles, the report about the keys was just a joke.
He clarified, "Ever since naman, nasa akin yung susi.
"Ano lang, biruan yun na nasa misis ko yung susi.
"Ever since, biruan yun. Never naman niyang hinawakan yung mga susi ng motor."
But his hobby has the blessing of his wife of 19 years.
In fact, "During the first year of our marriage, kami ni Harlene, umaangkas din siya."
EXPENSIVE HOBBY
When asked to choose between a car and a motorcycle, he chose both.
"Mahilig ako sa motor, sa kotse, it’s not really a collection.
"Parang ano lang siya, wala naman kasing parehong klase ng motorcycle."
He explained why he owns four motorcycles.
He said, "I have a motorcycle for this purpose, I have a motorcycle for this purpose, I have a motorcycle for this class…"
He has one for city driving, the new model of Street 750.
The 2018 model with color costs PHP590,000, according to the website of Harley Davidson of Manila.
He has a "maliit na mababang motor," which is an XL 1200X or a Sportster 48.
The 2018 model with color costs PHP1.045 million, according to the website of Harley Davidson of Manila.
His Kawasaki Versys 1000 is "pang-touring, pang-long distance."
Its price, according to Motortrade's website, is PHP660.00
The fourth one is a w800, which he described as "classic siya, pang-World War 2, vintage."
Its introductory price when the first batch of these modern retro bikes was launched in 2016, according to TopGear.com.ph, was PHP447,000.
When asked about the prices of his big bikes, he smiled.
The actor-businessman continued, "More or less, hindi siya magandang bisyo. Oo.
"Bakit hindi magandang hobby?
"Kasi ka-presyo siya ng kotse, alam mo yun, di ba? Ka-presyo siya ng kotse.
"And all things considered, mas madamot siya nang onti," referring to the number of passengers it can accommodate.
Are his kids fond of motorbikes?
Romnick has five kids with Harlene, namely: Abijah, Seki, Bo, Merel, and Yuwela.
Romnick answered, "Ah, may interes, pero hindi mahlig.
"May interes lang. 'Tapos, yung daughter ko nagkaka-interes, umaangkas-angkas palagi sa akin."
Since our roads aren't exactly motorcycle-friendly, has he ever encountered any accidents?
"Palagi naman akong nadisgrasya," he quipped.
Romnick immediately retracted, "Di, biro lang.
"Hindi, di pa. Mabait ang Diyos."