HALF-Filipino Angelo Cacciatorre was introduced to the entertainment press during the launch of the “Wedding & Debuts 2012 Bridal Fair,“and although his other half is Italian, he didn’t appear uncomfortable, like a newcomer entering alien territory.

One reason was that he has been around for the past three years, appearing as endorser for various products, the latest of which is the bridal fair. Another is that upon hearing of him being the grandson of our well-loved friend, the late Douglas Quijano, the reporters quickly warmed up to Angelo.

Maja Salvador is the main endorser of “Weddings & Debuts 2012” upcoming at SM Megatrade Hall 1, 2 and 3, February 17, 18, 19 (and pretty soon her photos as a bride will surface all over the metropolis in posters, tarpaulins, billboards, and print ads in the company of her bridegroom Angelo). This is actually a big boost to Angelo’s career for Maja is one of the hottest names among the young stars today of ABS-CBN. Her afternoon telenovela “Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin” with Patrick Garcia and Jason Abalos, and movie “My Cactus Heart” with Xian Lim and real life boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli are now both airing. After Matteo, another Italian? What is it about Italians that seem attracted to Maja, the press wonder. Let us not have another Matteo-Coco Martin brouhaha!

When he arrived in the country in 2009, Angelo intended only to pay his mom and relatives a visit, among them his lolo. But Dougs, upon seeing him all grown up and super guapo decided to  groom him for show business. He started by introducing Angelo as a Bench model which opened the doors to offers for modeling and endorsements everywhere. But Dougs suddenly died and Angelo’s career went into a plateau.

Not that he is complaining for he has been busy as a Cosmo model. But at the back of his mind was that desire to get into show business as lolo Dougs had planned.

Angelo, 21, 5’10”, was born in Alessandria close to Milan, his mom is a Militar from Marikina, his dad is a policeman, and he has a younger sister. He trained formally as a ballet dancer from age nine, has performed in ballets like Nutcracker Suite and Swan Lake all over Europe, is anxious to guest in one of the shows of Ballet Philippines, rues the fact that everyone in the country speaks English, thereby stalling his learning of Tagalog, is into swimming, rowing, and soccer, won an award in a swimwear competition, works out in a gym and has no discomfort with baring his body, lives alone in a Makati condo, and has worked with showbiz celebrities Kim Chiu and Anne Curtis.

“Weddings & Debuts 2012” sponsors from wedding gown designer Edd Sy, to photo & video services of Nice Print, Juan Carlo the Caterer, and AMI Jewels have noted that Angelo and Maja complement each other. Bagay sila, seconds Winnie Natividad, whose Wedding Library is the organizer of the bridal fair.

A few days back Winnie invited us for dinner with Angelo. He arrived on the dot which tells us much about his discipline. After some niceties while awaiting our order, we ask him what his passions in life were. Quickly, he says ballet dancing and cooking. “But I’m not gay,” he adds, going into a long discourse that in Europe straight men are looked upon like theater actors and are not necessarily gay. As far as his talent for cooking, he says he is good at it and invited Winnie and myself for home cooking at his condo nearby sometime soon.

Angelo is forthright and candid which we told him was admirable, but could be problematic with Filipinos who tend to be more diplomatic (read: beat around the bush) in our dealings. If he was serious in trying out show business, we warned him it was an entirely different ballgame from modeling. As we parted, he reminded us he was serious about demonstrating his cooking ability to us. We ask him if he would like to do this at a cooking show on television, and he replied, “I would love that.” Paging Janice de Belen of “Spoon.” What are you waiting for?

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