ery few people know it, but Barako Boys member Reggie Curley is actually a licensed electronics and communications engineer. Yep, that's right. The 26-year-old Kapampangan is actually Engineer Regidor Curley in real life. He started his working career in a semi-conductor company before giving modeling a shot.

“Jobless ako noon, kasi nag-resign ako sa trabaho ko sa Cavite ,” Reggie recalls. “May mga kaibigan akong mga modelo na. nag-go-see sila, nag-go-see din ako. Tapos, nagtuloy-tuloy. Every week, merong ginagawa. Nalibang ako. Nag-decide ako na ito muna ang gagawin ko.”

Smart move. Modeling soon led him to his real passion: acting. Blessed with good looks and a talented honed in the theater plays that he did in college, he landed a spot in the ABS-CBN Star Circle Batch 10, the same batch that introduced Dennis Trillo, Alfred Vargas and Bea Alonzo.

These days, Reggie's career is soaring even higher, thanks to his career-changing performance in the recently shown indie flick, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil's Mga Pusang Gala. He earned raves for his portrayal of Steve, Irma Adlawan's noncommittal lover, proving that inside the hunk lives a serious actor.

Not that playing Steve was a walk in the park: “No'ng first taping day namin, sexy scene kaagad. Napansin ng director, stiff ako… Sa lahat ng ginawa kong project, ‘yon ang unang-una kong may halikan ‘tsaka medyo sexy. Kaya napansin niya, naninigas ako.” He says he eventually got over his jitters after a long and serious talk with the director.

And, of course, there's Barako Boys, the singing group that includes Paolo Paraiso, Jay Manalo, Carlo Maceda, Luis Alandy, and Christian Vasquez. The group has found considerable success in such a short span of time.

“Maganda naman feedback ng press,” Reggie says. “Noong una, hindi namin sineseryoso. Pero ngayon, napag-isip-isip naminn, kailangan. Kasi kinukuha kami sa US tour. ‘Pare, seryosohin na natin ‘to, ‘ sabi ko. Hindi na ‘to laro-laro. Totoo na ‘tp. Sana magtuloy-tuloy.

Reggie says acting will always be his priority, but he's clearly elated by the success of the Barako Boys: “Through I'm not a singer, I'm happy na nakakapag-record ako. Ang dami diyan na signer na hindi nakakapag-record, di ba? That's why I told my manager [Leo Dominguez], ‘Kailangan, tutukan natin ‘to. Nandito na tayo.'”

For the past five years, Reggie and his elder sister Suzette have been renting this 220-square-meter bungalow situated in a middle-class Quezon City village.

Says Reggie about their current place: “Actually, ‘yong owner nito, sila nag-offer sa sister ko. Kasi ‘yong owner na mag-asawa, matatanda na. naka-base sila sa US . And then kailangan nilang parang caretaker, so in-offer nila ito sa sister ko.”

Suzette bought most of the house furniture, including the narra cabinet in the background, which she got for P7,000. But she's really not too keen on décor. “Kaya blangko lahat ng wall namin,” she laughs. “'Yon ngang wall clock sa sala, may naregalo lang kay Reggie. Kung hindi, wala ding laman ‘yon.”

A black leather couch adorned with throw pillows dominates the Curleys' living room.

Though he's got a great bod, Reggie says he actually hasn't been working out lately: “For the past few weeks, sobrang dami ng ginagawa—rehearsals, trabaho. Hinid na ako nakakapag-gym, e. so, ang ginagawa ko, medyo nili-limit ko ang pagkain ko. I also play badminton.”

In his spare time, he goes cycling around the neighborhood, using the mountain bike that's parked in the dining area. “Maliit kasi itong lugar, e,” he smiles.

The Quezon City-based Curleys—Reggie, sister Suzette, and her son, Zac—are moving to a house of their own come December. The new place, a two-story, four-bedroom townhouse-style unit, is just a stone's throw away from the one they are currently renting. Adjacent to the new place is a duplex that Suzette built to sell or rent. “Doon sa two-story kami titira,” says Suzette. “Si Reggie talaga ang nagpundar noon. Itong dalawang unit sa tabi, ‘binibenta naming.” The units for sale are small to look at from the outside but have high ceilings and deep spaces inside.

Reggie and Suzette own a fledging construction firm. Their home also serves as their firm's office. Suzette takes care of the firm's day-to-day operations. Reggie handles the financing aspect.

The youngest in a brood of three, Reggie is one-fourth American and a true-blue Angeleño. “Bale, ‘yong tatay ko, Amerasian,” he explains. “'Tapos, laking-Angeles talaga ako.” Suzette takes pride in her brother: “Mabait ‘yan. Lalo na sa parents namin. Mabait ding kapatid. ‘Yong bahay na nilakihan namin sa probinsiya, napaayos na niya. ‘Tapos, talagang he takes care sa parents namin.”

Reggie loves dogs, which is why he showers Mojoe, his yellow male Labrador , with affection. Suzette tells us that Reggie has a habit of bringing homeless dogs to their house. Putot, his lates adopted askal (asong kalye), is a bit “suplada” says Reggie.

Reggie's room overflows with countless pairs of jeans and other clothes. It's his personal one-stop shop. “Kompleto ‘yon. Lahat ng kailangan ko nandiyan.”

When he doesn't have to work, the Barako Boy chills out by reading. He's a voracious reader, devouring practically any book or publication he can get his hands on. “Meron akong regular supply ng Time magazine. Mahilig din ako sa mga Archie comics. May mga books ako about acting, books ni Paolo Coelho.” The last book he read was Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie. Reggie also collects caps and hats, which he keeps in his bedroom.

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