How Matteo keeps romance with Maja alive and well

Matteo Guidicelli was not around to personally congratulate girlfriend Maja Salvador when she won Best Actress at the recently-concluded Urian Awards. He was in Cebu for a triathlon. But he called her right away to share her joy.

“Alam ko talaga na gustong-gusto nya tapos hindi pala nya ini-expect na makukuha nya yung award,” a leaner, darker Matteo said at the Promil Pre-school i-Shine Talent Camp press conference at the 9501 Restaurant at ELJ Building on June 19, Tuesday.

“So talagang masaya ako, sobra. Natutuwa talaga ako kasi she gave 100% for this production and I’m very, very happy for her.”

Matteo also revealed that the secret to their relationship is separating work from personal matters.

Matteo, along with Dimples Romana and Xian Lim,  hosts “ Promil Pre-school i-Shine Talent Camp” every Saturday at 9:30am.

The athlete-actor’s explanation for the new physique (he lost 10lbs), the tan, and the new haircut is a new soap, and a couple of triathlons, one in Cebu and the more recent one in Hawaii.

“I did mine in six hours… It’s average, but I finished around 600th out of 3,000 guys,” he shares about the Hawaii Half Ironman version of the triathlon, which he recognizes as his best personal record so far.

Dishing out on new soap

Matteo will be starring with Jessy Mendiola in the new soap opera “Isla,” set in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the same island where “Survivor: Philippines” was shot.

“I get stranded in an island with a girl I don’t know,” he said. He explained that his character is a 25-year-old married man, and the conflict lies in being stuck in the island with a very attractive girl, while his wife waits for him at home.

“It’s a different me, it’s a new challenge,” he points out about the new role, adding that this will require him to show more flesh.

“Basta alam po natin lahat na romance ‘to, so talagang makikita po natin na maraming romance.”