Handsome, talented, and totally driven, Arron Villaflor first caught our eye as the resident dance floor heartthrob in ABS-CBN's Star Circle Quest in 2005. Seven years since, the rising star has kept girls giddy with his acting chops, kaka-fall dance moves, and of course, that sweet smile. As he turns 22 tomorrow, Arron shows us he's ready for bigger things by taking on his newest challenge: posing for Cosmo! From innocent boy-next-door in 2005, he's now the wholesome hunk you'd want to bring home to mom and dad.
In his first week as Online Hunk, Arron proves to us that he's not just a talented actor, but a model student as well. He manages to impress his professors with good grades, all while winning hearts with his many television stints.
Get to know Arron and his double life as an actor and student in our interview below.
What are your current projects?
Right now, I’m doing Isla. It’s a teleserye na pang-hapon. Precious Hearts Romances under Direk Lauren Diyogi. We’re done doing Dorm Boys. It’s under Direk Armann Reyes and it wil be shown this July to September.
Are you still in school?
Yes, I’m still studying and I’m taking up Operations Management. And I’m so happy because I’m graduating this school year.
How do you juggle work and school?
Napagsasabay ko 'yung school at 'yung career ko as a celebrity dahil gusto ko makatapos. Ayoko 'yung darating sa point na magtatrabaho ako as a celebrity and then mawawalan na 'ko ng gana sa pag-aaral. Kaya hangga't maaari nag-enroll ako para makatapos, at ngayon, graduating na 'ko. Konting tiis na lang, then I’m free!
Do people in school treat you differently because you’re a celebrity?
Siguro para sa mga freshmen dahil bago sila sa school, so may konting amazed at kilig. Pero 'yung mga sophies at juniors, alam nila na “Okay, si Arron Villaflor 'yan, celebrity sa Channel 2.” Hanggang “Hi Arron, good morning!”, hanggang bati lang.
How about your teachers? Do you get special treatment from them?
Wala, kasi halos lahat ng students doon, working student. So naiintindihan nila 'yung bawa't estado ng bawa't student. May konting pagbibigay ng priority sa mga working student na kagaya ko. So pantay-pantay kami, at saka masaya sa 'min kasi astig 'yung mga students doon, parang ako (laughs).
Have you ever missed school because of work, and vice-versa?
Gaya ng sinabi ko, ayokong mahinto doon sa [school or work]. Hangga't maaari, ipagsasabay ko [sila]. And 'yun 'yung nangyayari ngayon. Masaya naman ako dahil okay mga grades ko sa school at nagiging successful ako. Masasabi kong matagumpay akong estudyante at matagumpay akong celebrity.
Aside from acting, what keeps you busy?
Aside from acting, I work out. I do swimming and I play basketball a lot. At mahilig din ako magluto! Mahilig ako sa Filipino food. At ngayon, tina-try kong madiscover 'yung pasta. Mahilig ako magluto dahil 'yun yung namana ko sa nanay ko.
What pasta dish have you tried cooking?
Ang naluto ko na pasta na sa tingin ko or sa sarili ko na magiging successful ay ang tuyo pasta. Pero ang tawag ko doon, Pasta a la Arron. Seryoso 'yan (laughs).
It’s your birthday tomorrow (July 5). How are you celebrating it?
Simple lang. Ang hirap lang kasi tumatanda [na 'ko], pero given na 'yun. Sa tingin ko naman magiging special ‘to [kasi] kasama ko 'yung family ko. And hopefully si special someone magparamdam na. Happy naman ako sa lahat ng blessings na natatanggap ko simula 2004 until now. Sana madagdagan pa.
What’s a typical day in your life when you’re not working?
'Pag wala akong trabaho, lumalangoy ako ng morning, [from] 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Then kakain ako dahil sobrang hilig ko kumain. Alam ng marami 'yan, hindi ko naipagkakaila. Pagdating ko sa bahay, [manonood ako] ng TV, ng foreign movies.
What movies do you like watching?
Recent movie ni Will Smith, Men in Black at movie ni Denzel Washington, Taking of Pelham 123. Mahilig ako sa movies ni Denzel Washington and ni Will Smith.
This is your first Cosmo shoot. How does it feel?
Masaya and blessed kasi binigyan nila ako ng pagkakataon na maging guest nila for this month. Alam ko hindi pa ito ang huli, marami pa kaming pagdadaanan at mapagsasamahan kaya hindi ko pa sinasarado 'yung pinto. And of course, I’m willing to do everything for them, and to all my supporters na rin.
Outfit: Shirt, Folded and Hung. Varsity jacket and shoes, Topman. Pants, Levi's.
Watch for next week's feature on Cosmo Online Hunk Arron Villaflor on July 11, 2012, Wednesday!
Shot on location at Taal Vista Hotel, located at Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway,Tagaytay City. Contact them through landline:(046)413-1000. Visit their website, www.taalvistahotel.com, for more info.
Sittings editors: Cheekie Albay and Stephanie F. Esguerra
Stylist and interviewer: Camille Santiago
Grooming: Christine Rojas Lavina using Becca
Celebrity Coordinator: Allan Altera