• Home
• /
• Entertainment

Mr controversial: Borgy Manotoc

SOMETIMES, BEING born famous can be a curse or a blessing. For model and TV-slash-radio host Borgy Manotoc, it is both.

The host of the lifestyle programme It’s A Guy Thing and the weekly radio talk show Totally Mental on Hit 99.5 FM says ...

that being the grandson of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda and son of their eldest daughter Imee by sportsman Tommy Manotoc isn’t always easy. Because of who his family is, Borgy is often pre-judged by people. They dismiss him as a rich and pampered pretty boy who likes to go looking for trouble. The fact that he regularly lands on the front pages of newspapers and in tabloid columns—especially after that much talked-about and very public quarrel with singer-actress Vina Morales because of a statement he supposedly made on DJ Mo Twister’s radio show—hasn’t helped his public image any.

There is a certain pressure that comes with being who he is and having the relatives that he does, and Borgy is doing his best to deal. It’s not always easy, though.

“The worst thing about it is that everyone knows my name before I even meet them and before they get to know me,” he says. “Because of that, they tend to judge me. Of course, there are some who are shy and will just stare when they see me out in public.”

But Borgy clarifies that despite the pressure and occasional controversy that comes with being a Marcos, he doesn’t hate it. “I can’t hate it,” he replies. “I think it’s horrible not to appreciate what you’ve been given.”

Being outspoken also has its good points for Borgy, especially since he hosts his own radio show. It was his being a good talker that led to him bagging the radio assignment. “I was doing an interview, and I guess I sounded like I made sense,” laughs Borgy. “That’s when they suggested, ‘You might want to do a weekly show.’ It was not my idea.”