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MEN WITH A PAST
(30th May 2001)
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Don’t be too quick to write off MDO as the latest boy band. Not when they have almost 25 years of history behind them. – Yvonne Kwok
There are two words to describe MDO.
PROFESSIONAL: Despite missing breakfast and lunch, the five guys of MDO- Abel Talamantez, 22; Alexis Grullon, 24; Didier Hernandez, 21; Pablo Portillo, 22; and Caleb Einar Aviles Reyes, 23- were eager to tackle questions.
Even the ones they have answered many times over.
MDO is the latest incarnation of Puerto Rican supergroup Menudo.
‘We changed our name from Menudo to MDO in 1997 because Menudo was known for its young members aged between 12 to 15,’ said Abel, the unofficial spokesman of the group.
‘We were still young, but we didn’t feel like Menudo anymore, so we abbreviated the name to express ourselves better as adults.’
‘But we’ll always be happy to have been part of the history of Menudo,’ said Abel.
The subject inevitably turned to Ricky Martin, who was part of Menudo from 1984 to 1989.
The guys didn’t mind sharing what they knew about Menudo’s most famous ex- member, who is like a big brother to them.
‘He gave us pointers, like who to listen to, who to stay away from,’ said Abel. But he refused to elaborate on whom they were supposed to stay away from.
‘Ricky always told us to work hard, believe in our dreams and just be dedicated,’ said Alexis.
‘He did tell me to shorten my hair,’ said Caleb sheepishly, pointing to his curly locks. ‘He said that everyone else in the group had short hair, so I should cut it to match them.’
‘I’m the only one he gave this kind of advice to, maybe because I’m the ugliest in the group.’
The rest of the band snorted, Alexis giving Caleb a shove as if to indicate that he was talking rubbish.
Which brings us to the next word that describes MDO.
ENDEARING: Unlike other boy bands we’ve met, MDO felt more like a fellowship of brothers than a bunch of people brought together by the business of making record sales.
Each member took turns to patiently translate Pablo’s words from Spanish to English.
Alexis even politely asked me to rephrase some of Didier’s words because it might put him in a bad light. He explained that Didier did not fully understand the nuances of the English word he used for he is more comfortable in Spanish.
Such nice young men. But alas, there’s not much chance for girls out there. With the exception of Abel, all the guys are attached.
Said Abel: ‘Mi ideal soulmate must be intelligent, mature, fun and positive about life. I’m currently in the eliminating process.’
And the term to describe the last available guy in MDO: Hot property.
MDO were in town last week to sing at TVWorks’ launch and also to promote their English album, Little Piece of Heaven,
Their first single, Just a little Piece of Heaven, will be released next week. Listen out for it.
