MANILA, Philippines ? I used to be very flamboyant. Now I?ve toned down. I go for the chic and simple look,? TV host IC Mendoza told Living Stars.

The proudly gay celebrity explained that the change in his fashion preference was influenced by a former boyfriend. ?He?s pa-min (would rather look manly). He wanted me to dress up like him. He encouraged me to invest in classic pieces. Gradually, I stopped wearing headbands, high-heeled shoes and boots. Rubber shoes na lang,? said IC as he ushered us into the three-bedroom condo unit he shares with mom Dolly Anne Carvajal and sister Bianchi in Mandaluyong City.

?I prefer wearing a stylish jacket over a white V-neck shirt. I think the change worked for the better. I got more job offers. I earned people?s respect, at mas guwapo ang boyfriend ko ngayon,? said the host of ?Juicy? and ?Moomoo & Me? on TV5.

Shoes

This pair of white Zara rubber shoes was the first thing I bought from my own earnings. After getting my paycheck, I went straight to the mall to buy it. I threw away the shoes that I was wearing and never looked back. My dream is to be able to afford a Prada?and a Paul Smith. Right now, I love brands like Traffic, Vans, Wade, People Are People and Aldo.

Tops

This black turtleneck top has a very funny story to it. I wore this in Hong Kong nung napagkamalan akong ? I was talking to a group of Pinay prostitutes, who were also wearing black, when a Caucasian guy passed by. The girls tried to catch his attention but he came up to me instead and offered me a piece of chocolate. I smiled and said, ?I?m just a tourist.?

I?m into wearing funky jackets these days. I?ve worn this brown Zara piece in some of my pictorials and hosting stints. The fur coat was what I used during my ?Sex and the City?-themed birthday party last year.

Blazers are not in fashion in Bangkok these days. I found this brown piece after roaming the shopping areas there for two hours. The pink jacket was what I wore in the movie ?Manay Po.? It?s perfect for my character whose name is Pinky.

Memorabilia

My mom bought this Winnie the Pooh stuffed toy in Disneyland when I was 3. She said naiyak daw kasi ako when I saw Pooh for the first time.

This Nemo stuffed toy is a gift from my sister. She gave this to me n?ung nag-?out? ako. Hindi naman bakla si Nemo pero symbolic kasi ito. It?s my Ate?s way of saying she has accepted me for who I am.

The folding chair is from my dear friend, Pat. I was planning to buy one for myself but she beat me to it. She said naaawa daw siya sa akin because I don?t have my own chair on the set. I bring this everywhere I go.

The boxes of photos and notes from friends are special to me. I?ve had them since high school at the OB Montessori in Greenhills.

I still have my two trophies from when I was little?one from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation (Popular Child Actor Award) and another from the Metro Manila Film Festival (Best Child Performer).

I?ve just started putting loose change in this makeshift piggy bank. When it?s full, I?ll use the money to buy something special for myself.

The Samurai sword is a gift from my dad. I?ve always fantasized being an assassin. I like imagining myself playing Lucy Liu or Uma Thurman in ?Kill Bill.?

Gadget

My iPod is a constant companion. I can?t sleep on the set, especially when it gets too noisy. I drown the noise with music. But ?Auld Lang Syne? puts me to sleep. I also have tunes by Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, and my favorite local singers, Sarah Geronimo and Sharon Cuneta.

DVDs

?Friends? is my favorite TV series of all time. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) is my crush and Jennifer Aniston is my idol. Ayaw ko si Angelina Jolie, sorry. I?m still not over Brad Pitt breaking up with Jen. I like ?Richie Rich,? ?Jerry Maguire,? ?Heart and Soul,? ?Shrek,? ?Beauty and the Beast? and ?Fight Club.? ?The Beach? and ?Mean Girls? are my all-time favorite films.

Bags

This Gucci bag is special to me because I got it from my Lola (the late entertainment icon Inday Badiday). I use it all the time. I?m not the type who changes bags everyday.

Timepieces

I get most of my watches from Technomarine and Nooka. My favorite is my Technomarine piece that?s very, very royal blue. I prefer watches with unique and funky styles.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph