Entrepreneur and fragrance guru of the Philippines Joel Cruz is using his business wisdom as part of his strategy to win in GMA-7’s “Celebrity Duets.” He is already claiming victory and has even planned his victory party!

“I feel that I’m going to win. But I’m still scared because I don’t want to also be overconfident. So I’m hoping and praying that I win. It will be a nice title to have in my history,” said Joel Cruz, the owner and founder of Aficionado Fragrances from Germany.

Joel stressed that his outlook was spawned from his years of business planning for his company. He said that they always plan in advance and if things don’t go their way, it would be okay. He is also one who believes in positive thinking and it doesn’t hurt that Aficionado is a brand known nationwide especially with his string of endorsers like Boy Abunda and John Lloyd Cruz among others.

“I know that my employees are voting for me but I’m flattered to know that a lot of other people are really voting for me. I am always surprise when mothers approache me and say that they like me and that they are sending me their text votes,” shared Joel.

In fact, Joel was in awe recently when he was a speaker at the Bulacan Polytechnic College.

“I went there without enough sleep. So I told my bodyguard to assist me because I could faint. But when I opened the door of my car, all the 6,000 students were cheering and shouting my name. It was an inspiring moment and I felt good hearing their cheers,” he related. “Para akong si Piolo Pascual. It was unexpected and it was the first time I experienced such warm welcome!”

He attributed his sudden surge in popularity to “Celebrity Duets.” And it was a contest that has changed his life and made him discover another aspect of himself in the process!

“Ang laking tulong ng ‘Celebrity Duets,’” he confessed. “I’m more relaxed here and I like myself more this way. It made me realize na may napapasaya akong mga tao and gusto kong magpasaya ng mga tao.”

What “Celebrity Duets” unleashed was a Joel Cruz who was eager to conceptualize and mount fun and enjoyable production numbers for the viewers and judges as well. From being a serious singer with his love songs, he has switched to fast songs. And in the past Saturdays he has performed “We Are Family,” and “Itaktak Mo” where he was dressed as a woman and a teenage cheerleader respectively. The effect – he got the viewers and judges’ approval!

“I really want to reach the championship. Feeling ko pag wala na akong exposure, I’ll miss it talaga. I have sleepless nights kasi I always think and plan my performances. Hindi na ako nakaka-focus sa work ko… I’m the one who creates the concept with the help of GMA-7 that is very supportive,” he remarked.

So will he cut an album soon?

“Actually no, because hindi ako nagagandahan sa boses ko. Dinadaan ko na lang sa sayaw at production numbers… baka mamaya ako lang bibili nun or mga kamag-anak ko,” he laughed.

Aside from singing, another facet that Joel Cruz has shown the public is his being an endorser.

Known to tap the best names in showbiz as his celebrity endorsers, he is also now an endorser himself – for the Calayan Surgicenter.

“Dr. Manny Calayan saw me in a magazine launch a few months ago and told me that I can be one of his endorsers. He was planning to launch endorsers from another field like entrepreneurs and he chose me,” smiled Joel.

He admitted that he called Dr. Manny Calayan to follow up on his offer. Joel himself wanted to be an endorser for other companies or brands.

“I’m very happy that it materialized. Their treatments are very effective because for almost a month with them, the blemishes on my face have lessened through their Pixel and Tenor treatments. I made a good decision by joining the best in the field,” expressed Joel proudly.

His next wish is to have a billboard in Hollywood where the Calayans has put up their first clinic abroad that also specializes in Lysonix Liposuction and Latisse for Eyelash Grower Treatment.

“I’m honored that Joel Cruz also decided to join the Calayan family. We are now tapping successful people from different fields as our spokespersons. And Joel Cruz is the first... maybe I’ll also be the endorser of one of his new fragrances someday,” quipped Dr. Calayan.

Rift with Gina Alajar?

It’s all part of the game explained Joel Cruz as to why he called awarded actress Gina Alajar a 50-year-old veteran. It was part of his strategy to irk the other contestants. In reality though he meant well.

“Compared to me I’m nothing because of her long stay in showbiz. Kasi ang alam ko more than 50 years old na siya. And I know that she was a child star so I said she was more than 50 years na sa showbiz. So di hamak na magaling siya kasi 50 years na siya sa showbiz… magaling siya talaga!”

As to Geoff Eigenmann who found his remark about his mom offensive, Joel Cruz said he is sorry.

“I know who her son is. He is very handsome and I watch him in ‘Rosalinda,’” said an apologetic Joel Cruz!

Next in line for Joel Cruz after his stint in singing is hosting!