The devil they do

Author: Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor
Column: Life

They may have thought they had done it all — hosted shows practically naked or gone running around Asia to win a hundred thousand dollars — but the truth is, Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez never expected anything like Dare Duo to fall on their laps.

Going the extra mile for a dare is definitely within the territory of this former Amazing Race Asia contenders, who, to no one’s surprise, have snagged the hosting chores for Dare Duo, the latest reality show of Q Channel 11. The show offers the unique opportunity for ladies to realize one item in their “bucket list” with a little assistance from Nelson and Fernandez.

“They’re paying us! No, just kidding,” quips Rovilson when asked why he is co-hosting this show. “Dingdong took all the gigs, and so has Richard, d_mn those guys! So we are stuck with this... Seriously, we like doing stupid stuff.”

Marc avers, “We’re two guys who pull pranks and gags on each other all the time, so this is just a natural progression. We do it now in front of a camera for other people to see. We have very little shame and it all went out of the windows when we signed the contract.”

To which Rovilson adds, “On the flip side, what makes us the hosts of this show, here is the quote: we have the softest hands! Let me explain, this is a fantastic show. It should have been done years ago. In this day and age of the extreme, we all know that it’s no longer being a tri-athlete, but being an ultra-tri-athlete. It’s no longer just reading, it’s about speed reading. Even my friend Marc — he’s not just a model, he’s an uber model. This is all about women who want to push their limits, what is on their bucket list that they have to check off. And why do our soft hands come into play? We are there to push a person, to encourage them, to hold their hands — that is why we were cast. Paolo Bediones, rough hands! Dingdong Dantes, his hands are like sand paper. Ryan Agoncillo, it’s like scales on a snake. But Marc and I, we got the gig because we have the softest hands. That is why if there is any lotion endorsement out there, we’re still available.”

In Dare Duo, the activities range from the most simple to the unexpected, from scuba diving or flying a plane, to hosting a bridal shower or performing in front of hundreds, from figure skating, to hosting and preparing bridal showers, among others.

“We’re doing things that you’re not used to us do. Everyone has seen us do the sporty stuff, but they haven’t seen us doing more domestic things. You see me like showing skin all the time. I like to wear my clothes in this show for a change; that will be a challenge for me, to be recognized with my shirt on. It’s a lot of fun, thinking out of the box to get us to do things that we haven’t done, and it’s supposed to be very inspirational, it’s supposed to inspire people to do something that they are scared to do,” explains Marc.

The two friends’ chemistry is apparent as usual in their repartee. Close as they are and obviously on the same wavelength most times, there had been rumors that theirs is a gay relationship.

“Oh, there are? We tried dating but it didn’t work out,” Rovilson laughs. “Frankly speaking, I like those rumors better than the ‘we are players’ rumor because that is so unlikely. I guess we should stop holding hands, that’s the first. Let go of my hands, Marc! Let go! These rumors are going to escalate! My lipstick is on your collar, oh my, God!”

Marc reacts, “Oh, that’s fantastic! Someone told me that, especially that time that there were rumors about me circulating that I am gay, and that time it really hurt me so badly. I was wondering why someone would say something that is not true. Here in the Philippines, if you get that rumor, it means you have arrived in the industry. You name me one male celebrity who has not had a gay rumor in the Philippines, especially significant actors in the last 20 years.”

“All the top guys that we admire have had a gay rumor. That, for me, is truly awesome! I love it! I mean, no one was talking about me for years! When I first moved here, I didn’t know Marc yet, and I heard like he is gay. That’s the thing; we’re talking about Marc. He’s a big guy; he’s famous! Now that I hear all these gay rumors, I say, yes! I’m significant! I have arrived! Of course, they don’t know my name except ‘yung kalbo,” Rovilson guffaws.

Do they seek each other’s opinion on women? “We certainly warn each other, but not seek each other’s opinion,” he adds. “Actually, when choosing a girl we have to be mindful of the fact that this girl will be hanging out with our friends. Acceptance of the girl in the group is a big thing for us. Thankfully the girls that he chooses, or the girl that I choose, get along with our friends.”

Marc swears, “Our barkada is extremely protective of us. They really screen some of the girls; they just want to make sure that they are not crazy, are genuinely interested with us and are nice people.”

They gamely admit their types. Rovilson like them chinita with bangs, while Marc prefers the petite ones, about 125 pounds and definitely not crazy.

And do Marc and Rovilson have their own personal bucket lists?

“I’d like to go to Antarctica, to Cuba, things like that,” answers Nelson. “Most of the other things I’ve been very fortunate to have managed to do, either through work, in my own time, or by traveling with my parents. I’d like to swim with whales. I’ve done whale sharks. I’ve done yellow fin tunas. I’ve done great white sharks, but not yet whales. I’d like to do that. That would be cool.”

Rovilson says, “Mine is a little more cerebral. I want to learn another language. I want to start some kind of advocacy for the environment. That’s my big thing for this year. I want to do something that will leave a lasting impression. Make a film that represents the Philippines since directing is what I finished. I want the Philippines to get some love, since there is so much great talent here. I want to do an independent film that showcases the Filipino-American experience, of what it feels like coming home, a homecoming of sort kind of film that is very heartwarming.”

Catch Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez in Dare Duo, every Saturday night, 8:10 p.m., on Q Channel 11.

Source: The Daily Tribune

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