Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson: Brothers from different mothers

Brothers from different mothers — this is what best describes longtime buddies Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson who captured the nation’s attention in the second season of “The Amazing Race Asia” back in 2007.

Reeling from their respective break-ups, Nelson and Fernandez joined the popular reality show.

“‘Amazing Race’ was a trip of the lifetime!” Nelson said. “If I had a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a single thing."

Fernandez and Nelson had Filipinos cheering for them with their winning ways in “Amazing Race.” Despite failing to conquer the last task, the duo remained popular among Filipinos, even after the race. Their bromance, supplemented with good looks and charisma, helped them win a more important prize — the hearts of Pinoys.

In their “Powerhouse” interview, the two best friends took host Kara David on a tour of each of their own bachelor’s pads and shared stories about their humble beginnings and breaks that made them stay in Philippine shores.

The aspiring director-turned-TV host

“Never in a million years I’d imagine I would be in front of a camera. I’m a shy guy!” said Rovilson Fernandez.

This confession may come as a surprise to fans of the jolly host of “Ang Pinaka,” GMA News TV’s award-winning infotainment countdown program. Fernandez’s trademark playful and “Energizer bunny” style of hosting is a far cry from this “shy guy” description he gave himself.

A graduate of Film and TV Production of San Diego State School in California, Fernandez aspired to become a director. Building his credentials, he worked in Hollywood as a production crew for two years. “Vin Diesel took my job!” he joked when asked why he left Hollywood.

He then visited his parents’ homeland, the Philippines, to try his luck in media and applied for directing jobs. “I went around handing my resumes. One month passed, no one called. And then two, three months passed. I was getting hungry. I lost 30 pounds!” he recalled.

One call got his hopes up but not for the job he wanted. A travel show, “Lakbay TV,” asked if he wanted to get on board as a host. “I had no hosting experience then,” he said. With that call, doors opened for Fernandez as he found himself with a slew of hosting gigs for shows like “Gameplan” on Studio 23, “Dare Duo” on QTV-11, and “Ang Pinaka” on GMA News TV.

“I never thought I would have a home and food in my stomach,” Fernandez reflected on his journey. When asked what else he would like to achieve, he said, “I want to come up with a “Saturday Night Live” type show. We have so many talented Pinoy comedians.”
 

An extended vacation

"One thing I learned from travelling the world is to have an open mind,” said Marc Nelson.

This openness is what eventually made model and TV host Marc Nelson stay on our shores. He didn’t expect his backpacking adventure to the Philippines would have him living here. While on vacation, a friend offered him a modelling job, which he took to finance his trip. More modelling jobs then piled on, prompting him to consider settling in the Pearl of the Orient.

Pinoy fans often mistake the multi-racial (Thai-Chinese-Burmese-Australian) Nelson as a Filipino half-breed. He clarifies, “I have no drop of Filipino blood but I have a Filipino heart. I love the Philippines. It's a great country!”

With good genes bolstered by charisma, Nelson started hosting TV shows like “Sports Unlimited,” a fitting program for a sports and outdoor activities buff like him.

Nelson’s love for the great outdoors eventually led him to try his hand in entrepreneurship. Just last year, he opened his own resort Bahari Beach Resort in Boracay, where extreme sports enthusiast can learn kiteboarding.

Good looks and good hearts

“Blessed with an amazing life,” Nelson aptly describes not only his own life but also Rovilson Fernandez’s.

With their hosting and modelling gigs and endorsements, the two buddies really have “an amazing life.”

Setting the bar high for other celebrity best friends out there, Nelson and Fernandez believe it's just proper to give back, even seeing eye-to-eye when it comes to charity.

They both serve as ambassadors of the World Wildlife Fund, their role allowing them to educate the youth about protecting the environment. Nelson, too, is currently a sponsor for World Vision, an organization that finances the education of children from marginalized sectors worldwide.

“All these cliches are cliches for a reason,” reflected Fernandez.

Bromance

Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez's bromance often gets lost in translation to some people. To finally shed light on this issue, host Kara David finally asked Fernandez if the gay rumors hold water.

"I get it (being mistaken as gay) all the time, which is cool! Women rule!" said Rovilson.

“[But] If I were bakla, I'd have better taste than Marc!" he added, much to the dismay of all Marc-Rovilson shippers who just have the accept the fact these two are just like Sherlock and Watson, Joey and Chandler, or Woody and Buzz — a guy duo whose friendship has captivated the public.

— Bernice Sibucao, CM/GMA News