He is yet to become a big star, but Dino Imperial is slowly getting there, what with good projects coming his way. He will soon be seen in the forthcoming Judy Ann Santos-Ryan Agoncillo teleserye “George & Cecil” and Your Song Presents “Boystown” on ABS-CBN. In the recent past, he worked with Kristine Hermosa in “Prinsesa ng Banyera,” and Ai Ai delas Alas in “Volta.”

“I got to work with people I never expected to work with; it was a great experience and I was really so excited,” he gushed.

Dino is also the new endorser of BUM and if he is super excited about it, it’s because it’s his first clothing apparel endorsement. Being a celebrity endorser isn’t however a new venture for Dino, having appeared in a Coke and a PLDT MyDSL commercial, before BUM. The talented young actor has also done a number of ad campaigns since he was 11 years old. Dino is now 21 (he marked his milestone last April 9).

Dino was only 11 or 12 years old when showbiz beckoned. “I came from an appointment with the dentist and my mom and I went to eat at Burger King, ginutom ako eh. A stranger who approached me said I was cute and he gave me his card. Talent agent pala siya. He talked to my mom.”

His exposure to making TV commercials made his shift to showbiz a lot easier, according to Dino. “My experience as a commercial model has boosted my confidence and developed my acting abilities – because making a commercial is much like making a movie: You have to portray a lot of different characters.”

Dino was 16 when he auditioned for Star Magic Batch 13, and he was taken in. Among his batchmates are AJ Perez, Chris Gutierrez, Empress Schuck (with whom he is paired as a loveteam), Janina Rosales, the Roco twins, Zia Marquez and some others.

Dino is still in college trying to finish his Multi-Media Arts course at St. Benilde at De La Salle University. Because of work, he couldn’t get a full-load schedule so, “It may take some more time for me to finish college,” he said. “Dami ko kasi trabaho, I do tapings every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.” Aside from his appearance in various soaps for the Kapamilya network, Dino also doubles as a VJ jock for Studio 23.

He has been in a loveteam with Empress Schuck for sometime but in real life, Dino is in love with a non-showbiz person. It’s a serious relationship, he said. The girl is also a commercial model. Dino said he is attracted to women with pouty lips (like Anne Curtis and Angelina Jolie) but sadly, we failed to ask him if his girlfriend has pouty lips.

On the rare occasions that he is not in school or at work, Dino chills by indulging in what he calls his “geek-like” hobbies. “I’ve been collecting original DVDs and I’ve been watching them. I also like playing video games and reading my comic books.”

Not surprisingly, Dino’s “makulit but serious (when it comes to work)” personality finds expression in his fashion style. This hyperactive dude goes for colorful shirts with graphic prints.

“I don’t know but I like the screaming colors of red and purple because they make a statement at once so I really don’t have to try hard to get attention. I’m also crazy about shirts with a lot of prints – graffiti, skulls, symbols of stuff, anything really – as long as it’s done in a really cool way.”

Dino admits that he signed up with BUM because the brand’s pointed fashion statement suits his character to a T. “I went crazy when the offer came because I’ve always loved BUM’s edgy, radical look. I admit, I’m a very loud person, so sometimes my style is loud as well. That’s why I like BUM’s ‘loud’ colors and hip designs.”

Dino especially loves the brand’s line of cool jackets and hoodies for the in-your-face attitude they exude. A confessed “clothesaholic,” Dino admits that he tends to splurge on BUM clothes. How many exactly does he have? “A lot!” he exclaimed laughingly.

Stars lend glitter to help homeless animals

This recent event was something unlike the many showbiz events we’ve attended. For one, the stars were not the stars, but their pets were.

Showbiz celebrities came to the 2nd floor atrium of SM Mall of Asia to show their support to the plight of stray and abused animals with the launch of “Homeless, not Worthless,” a fund-raising and advocacy campaign by Purina and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). This collaboration is an exclusive tie-up with SM Malls and enjoins the public to help homeless animals by raising funds to support PAWS or by adopting one of the many rehabilitated animals at the PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC).

“Purina is committed to making pets’ lives better,” said Sandra Puno, Nestlé Purina’s Communications Director. “This extends to unfortunate animals who don’t have a home of their own. Through this campaign, Purina hopes to give them a better life.” Purina is a subsidiary of Nestlé and the maker of dog and cat food brands such as Alpo, Friskies and Pro Plan.

Leading the launch of the “Homeless but not Worthless” campaign were Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, president of PAWS, Anna Cabrera, program director of PAWS; Nandu Nandkishore, president and CEO of Nestlé Philippines; and Annie Garcia, president of SM Shopping Center Management Corporation.

During the event hosted by top model Paolo Paraiso, high-profile celebrities cuddled up to some of PAWS’s adorable dogs and cats present. Passionate about this cause were veteran musician Louie Heredia and celebrity PAWS volunteer Toni Rose Gayda. Louie, a feline aficionado, encouraged his fans to adopt cats, saying, “There are so many homeless cats around, and just imagine what they go through every day. The best way we all can help is to give them proper homes. They’re the sweetest animals once you get to know them.”

On the other hand, Toni Rose loves animals so much that she has rescued several dogs and cats with PAWS for three years.

Also there were some of the prettiest faces in show business, namely Nadine Samonte and Yasmien Kurdi, as well as up-and-coming talents Rita Iringan, Ariel and Maverick, Dominic Roco, Jace Flores Jr. and singing sensation Nyoy Volante.

The campaign kicked off with a formal turn-over ceremony of the “GaraPAWS” from the executives of PAWS and Nestlé to SM Supermalls. The “GaraPAWS,” a small, red plastic jars where the public can drop their donations, will be placed in strategic locations at participating SM Malls such as the department store, the supermarket, Ace Hardware and Toy Kingdom.

Also unveiled was the Purina-PAWS Mobile launch pad where concerned citizens can donate bigger amounts or adopt pets directly from the PAWS Rehabilitation Center. Text PURINA to 2338 (for Globe subscribers) or 0917-588-23-38 (for non-Globe subscribers) to donate cash, or to adopt (Purina DONATE CASH, Purina ADOPT). Each text message costs P2.50, a part of which also goes to PAWS. Globe subscribers can readily donate through G-CASH by typing the following: Send amount MPIN to 2882 + 10 digit mobile number (e.g. 0917-1111111).

Cash donations can be deposited for Philippine Animal Welfare Society to BPI US Dollar Account No: 3944-0021-61, Philippine Peso Account No: 3943-0086-11 or PNB Peso Account No: 072-8301740. Checks are also accepted and payable to “The Philippine Animal Welfare Society.”

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 7, go to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Mrs. Helen Gamboa-Sotto who’s in the cast of ABS-CBN’s top-rating drama series “Tayong Dalawa,” Mrs. Nena Jacinto of D’Swan Bakeshop, Corazon Gonzalez, Princess del Rosario-Bata, Ivy Lily “Mae” F. Mendoza, Helen B. Martinez, Baby Valencia. Mrs. Doring Quirino, Mary Anne Gutierrez, Rhomalyn Binsol, Michael Cabrera, Mardev Deveza, Noli Yamsuan, Alvin O. Hernandez and Carlo Tadiar… Happy wedding anniversary to Drs. Dodo and Nellie Acosta, and Louie and Mila Limjoco…