By Robbie Pangilinan
We often wonder about celebrities who have been gone from the spotlight for quite a time. One such guy is Philip Henson, who used to be a member of That's Entertainment and had movies in the 90s such as “Hulihin si Nardong Putik,” “Walang Piring ang Katarungan,” and “Hanggang Saan ang Tapang Mo.”
Ruel Gueco in real life, Henson now lives in Baltimore, Maryland, the same place where Coach Norman Black lived and played basketball in his high school days before he was drafted in the NBA.
Henson recalls how he made it to Philippine showbusiness.
“I was riding a bus home then a talent agent saw me and the rest is history. My second agent was inclined to commercial modeling; he introduced me to a glam life of fashion and ramp modeling and also auditioning for VTR ads and print ad castings. It was really a joy of an experience. In fact, I’m still friends with some models from my batch,” he says.
Henson, whose best friend is Gary Boy Garcia, dated two celebrities in his time, the both beautiful Alice Dixon and Monica Hererra.
In 2000, Henson moved the the United States.
“It was quite an adjustment. The two years was full of heartbreaks but as I went along, I became tough as solid rock. Stories about migration are true. It will change you for the better,” says Henson, adding that he misses showbiz at times but also enjoys living privately.
The shy actor works hard every day. He wakes up at 6am, clocks in at 7am in his Limo job, finishes at 3pm then proceeds with his own delivery business from 4pm until about 11pm. He is also currently completing his feasibility study to start a plastic recycling business.
To keep fit, he does 20 to 30 push-ups, 30 sit-ups and 20 leg raises on the floor when he wakes up every morning. He eats fruits and takes juice drinks in the morning before his usual breakfast. His diet is mostly moderate and balanced in consuming meat and veggies.
Henson has not lost touch with the Philippines. In fact, his only daughter lives in Manila. She is into real estate and is engaged to be married. Henson says he can't wait to be a grandpa. Even his plans and dreams are all set in his hometown. He wants to put up a restaurant along the byway of Pampanga to be managed by his nephew. He would also want to try producing films.
“Maybe in a few years, I will go back to showbiz not just as an actor but a producer, too. I figured actors should produce their own films quality films like FPJ has FPJ Productions, Vic Sotto has MZet and the Revilla clan has their Imud Productions. I promised my Dad I will be a movie producer someday. Probably be the Philippine version of Liam Neeson, doing action movies,” ends Henson.
