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Mikael Daez may be a relative unknown outside fashion circles at the moment, but not for long. The 23 year-old model and true-blue Atenean was just announced as one of actress Marian Rivera’s leading men in the upcoming epicserye of GMA-7 titled “Amaya”.

The handsome square-jawed six-footer is being managed by Mercator Model & Artist Management (big shout-out to Jonas Gaffud who heads the firm) which is responsible for the careers of Brapanese hunks Daniel Matsunaga, Akihiro Sato, Hideo Muraoka and Fabio Ide, plus Survivor Philippines standouts JC Tiuseco and Ervic Vijandre.

Want to know more about Mikael? Then here are excerpts from his “Body Talk” interview with TV Host/Entertainment Columnist Ricky Lo which appeared in the Philippine Star last year:

How was he discovered?
“Oh, I needed cash and my friend said, ‘Hey, it’s Fashion Week.’ I said, ‘What is that?’ He said, ‘It’s a fashion show; you can join and earn money.’ So I tried. That’s where somebody from Mercator saw me.”
A Capricornian (Jan. 6), Mikael is a six-footer who wears medium-sized shirt and briefs, and size-11 shoes.
How do you take care of your (model’s) body?
“I come from a family that’s very active, always on the go, a lover of sports. Being active is natural with me. It helps me maintain this kind of body. I work out at the gym three times a week. Sometimes, I run but I’d rather play basketball.”
What part of your body needs improvement?
“No part in particular. I just keep on improving my whole body.”
What part is most vulnerable?
“None.”
And what part is your favorite?
“My jaw. It’s prominent. They say that it’s an asset in modeling.”
What part of a girl’s body do you look at first?
“The legs. If the legs are sexy, you can be sure that the rest of the body also is. Generally, I like girls who know how to take care of their body, one who doesn’t slouch and who is active.”
What else turns you on in a girl?
“She must be spontaneous and a good talker.”
And what turns you off?
“Girls who are indecisive.”
What kind of diet do you follow?
“Well, I’ve been going to a gym in Glorietta and right beside it is Subway which has a 100-bucks promo. I love the roast-chicken sandwich. I eat it before working out and eat it again after working out. That’s usually my breakfast because I go to the gym early in the morning.”
Is that all for breakfast?
“At home, spam and egg with rice. My whole family grew up on spam and egg. Kung may garlic fried rice, bonus na ‘yon.”
For lunch?
“Japanese food preferably. Chicken Teriyake.”
For dinner?
“Nowadays, I keep my dinner light. Maybe just a sandwich. If I do a lot of work during the day, sometimes a little rice with ulam.”
Snacks in-between?
“Just fruit shakes.”
How much water do you take per day?
“More than eight big glasses.”
Soda?
“Only when I eat pizza.”
What vitamins do you take?
“I should take some but I always forget.”
Do you take hard drinks?
“Very rarely, only on certain occasions. Ordinarily, only beer.”
Do you smoke?
“No, I don’t.”
How do you cope with stress?
“I hang out with friends.”
What about massage?
“Too expensive. I would love to have it if I had the money.”
Outlook in life?
“I’m an optimist. Life is good and I look at things from a bright side. Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“Six hours but I try to get more. I take naps between shoots or shows.”
Favorite sleepwear?
“Basketball shorts and a comfy shirt.”
How many pillows do you sleep with?
“Four. One under my side, two on either side and one I hug.”
Do you snore?
“No, I hope not.”
Do you talk in your sleep?
“I don’t think so. Ask my friends.”
Do you sleepwalk?
“I really hope not!”
Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
“I pray.”
First thing that you do when you wake up?
“Try to get more sleep.”
How’s your love life?
“No girlfriend at the moment. I take my time looking for the right person. I enjoy meeting new people. I’m in a new industry, you know.”
How’s your sex life?
“I’d rather keep it a secret. Hahahahaha!”
Favorite hideaway?
“If I told you, it would cease to be a secret. My friends know where it is — a resto in Salcedo Village in Makati.”
Name three women you think have nice bodies.
“Jessica Alba. Miranda Kerr (Victoria’s Secret model). Alessandra Ambrosio (a Brazilian Supermodel).”
And three guys you think have nice bodies.
“Brad Pitt. Hugh Jackman. Kobe Bryant.”
Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?
“I follow her.”

Below is Mikael’s TV commercial for Jollibee Champ:

video courtesy of juliatemplo

Mikael is a graduate of Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University. On top of print ads and fashion shows, he appeared in a string of TV commercials like Jollibee Champ, Dole and SM.

Following GMA-7’s press release of Mikael’s selection for “Amaya”, he will get his initial baptism of fire with Marian Rivera as her leading man first in the network’s new horror-comedy show “Ang Spooky Mo Presents Bampirella” before heading to more physically (and emotionally) demanding stuff once the production of “Amaya” gets underway.

Watch out for Mikael Daez because he is going to be popular within the next couple of months. 😉