Seth Fedelin, Markki Stroem, Alfred Vargas share reasons behind their smiles

MANILA, Philippines – Some of the country’s most popular celebrities certainly made people laugh. Now they share the things that make them beam with joy.

“Pokemon makes me laugh. As a Pokemon Ambassador in the Philippines, I try to bring the community together here, and that always makes me happy. It is one of my happiness pills every morning,” Markki Stroem told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of an event hosted by a dental clinic in Quezon City.

Markki Stroem. Image by Armin P. Adina

Seth Fedelin, one of the country’s hottest young stars, fresh off the success of the mystery drama “Dirty Linen” and now part of another crime series, “Fractured,” kept it short and somewhat mysterious. When asked what makes him laugh, the actor replied, “her,” without elaborating, a sheepish grin plastered on his bed-ridden face.

The winners of the recently concluded Misters of Filipinas pageant were also present at the event and shared the reasons that make them smile. Man of the World Philippines Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal said he always smiles “because I want that to reflect on your faces. I want this to reflect on your faces.”

Mister Fitness Supermodel World Philippines Godfrey Nikolai Murillo, Mister Tourism and Culture Universe Philippines Drei Arias and Mister Teenager Universe Philippines Lloyd Figeuras all said their families make them laugh.

First runner-up Brent Dalman said he always finds a reason to smile with those around him, while second runner-up James Harley Lajos said “my Lord” makes him smile.

For his part, Man Hot Star Philippines RJ De Vera said that “life itself” makes him smile. “Every time I wake up, I think about the good things in my life so I can have a good smile on my face,” he said.

Quezon City Councilman Alfred Vargas, who at one time in his showbiz career was one of the most sought-after men in the industry, revealed that the things that make him laugh have changed as he has grown older.

“My priorities in life changed. It used to be all about career, all about performance. Now it’s all about family, it’s all about legacy,” he told INQUIRER.net in an interview after announcing the partnership between the Quezon City government and Urban Smiles for dental missions in the city’s districts.

“Two weeks ago my eldest texted me for the first time. And it made me smile. ‘My child is now my textmate? Wow, I’m texting my kid!’ I texted her the entire time we were in the hospital. She made sure the house was in order. Wow, that made me smile!” the official said of his 12-year-old daughter Alexandria with wife Yasmine. He brought his four-year-old son Christiano to the event.

Vargas also gave some advice to those who find it difficult to smile these days. “Take it easy, believe in the goodness of others and the goodness of the universe. A smile is free, a smile is contagious,” he said. EDV