Manny De La Rosa (aka Manny the Movie Guy) brightens up the days of viewers from Palm Springs and Las Vegas to Fort Myers, Florida – not to mention ANC, the 24-hour news on the Filipino Channel and Balitang America.  Born in the Philippines, Manny incorporates his native-country’s strong use of bright colors into his wardrobe. He met his partner, Kevin, at college at Purdue University and they’ve been together for 20 years.

BDMOTP’s Steve Oldfield sat down with the three-time Emmy winner to talk about his colorful fashion sense and his sunny approach to life.

Manny de la Rosa loves wearing bright colors!

How would you describe your sense of style?  I want to call it Target-chic with designer sensibilities!  At the end of the day, it’s not who you wear but how you wear it!  I scour everything!  I love going to Kohl’s and Target for cheaper socks and underwear, I also enjoy visiting Uniqlo when I’m in New York because they have fun sensibilities!  And then I go to Macy’s for cologne and great deals.  Let me tell ‘ya, their one day sale rocks!  And if I’m feeling rich, I visit the Shops on El Paseo in Palm Desert for some designer deals.  And then lastly, I also love going to resale shops because I’m a child of the ’80s and I grew up idolizing the cheap but fun iconic fashions that Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Boy George used to wear that they bought in resale shops.  I still have that in me.   You can buy your clothes cheaply, but it’s all about the attitude…honey – HA!

I love how you often wear bright colors – Have you ever had your colors done? Are you a “summer?” (ha ha)  Thanks!  And yes, I’m definitely a summer.  I want to think that I have a colorful personality and so I dress appropriately to match my mood.  It just so happens that I’m always in a bright, cheery mood, hence, the colorful outfits!

I know sometimes, you create your own fashions… Oh my gosh, the stars normally compliment me on my outfits when I specifically wear T-shirts designed for the movie that I made myself using iron-ons!  For example, when I interviewed the “Puss in Boots” cast, everyone from Antonio Banderas to Zach Galifianakis had a laugh because I made a shirt that has “I love pussy” on it (or “I love cats” if you’re not dirty-minded).  When I talked to the cast of “Les Miserables,” I wore a shirt that I designed myself and Anne Hathaway told me,  “I don’t know what award you’re going to get, but you will get one tonight” because of my outfit.  And of course, I told her, I know what award you’re going to get and it’s for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.  And she won.

Where do you take your cues on fashion?  I really don’t follow trends via celebrities and stylists.  I love marching to the beat of my own drum.  When it comes to choosing outfits, I follow my heart more than my mind.  I’ve always subscribed to that ideology.

How tall are you and what is your advice for those of us who aren’t exactly built for the runway?

Oh my gosh, I’m a Hobbit!  I’m 5’5″, and so I like wearing tapered jeans or pants (hurrah for skinny jeans) to accentuate my legs, and longer jackets and coats to give me that slimmer, taller look.

Who do you think are the best dressed men in Hollywood?  I admire my fellow Filipino, Bruno Mars, for his fun outfits.  You know who also makes me look is Daniel Radcliffe.  He can wear a Simon Spurr three-piece with a black-on-black ensemble and then, gleefully wear sneakers!  I love that!  Ryan Gosling also rocks it, and if we’re going back in time, I would love to emulate Marlon Brando circa “The Wild One.”  If Ellen DeGeneres is a man I would include her here because I love the way she wears her suit and yep, sneakers!

Who are your favorite designers?  The movie buff in me would love to say Alexander McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) and Tom Ford (“A Single Man”) because not only are they accomplished designers, they’re also taking Hollywood by storm with their award-worthy films.  But I love Alexander Wang for,his fun sensibilities, and John Varvatos for his contemporary chic.

Tell me about your bracelets:  Oh, thanks for noticing them.  I am a very superstitious being so I love wearing lucky bracelets — one’s for career, the other’s for love, and some are for protection against negative people.  But I’m also a Catholic boy at heart so I wear a rosary bracelet.  I buy them from all over the place.  There’s a novelty store in Idyllwild, CA that sells my fun bracelets.  There’s also a psychic store in Palm Springs called Crystal Enlightenment Center that I visit every now and then.

The stars seem to really love you – who are some of your favorites? I’ve noticed that the bigger of a star they are, the better!  I admire George Clooney for his relaxed and jovial attitude; Cate Blanchett for her willingness to truly listen; and Sandra Bullock for her fun repartee.  But I also love Josh Brolin and Sam Worthington for their willingness to play and banter with little old me.  Oh, and just recently, I had a great time talking to Harrison Ford about gay rights, and Emma Thompson (who’s marvelous in “Saving Mr. Banks”) about her passion!

Where do you get all of your energy?  Coffee and positive thinking!  I always believe that you get from the universe the amount of energy you put out there.  So every morning, I drink lots of coffee and then I have a little talk with the universe.  Oh, and walking on the tread mill helps too!

Any other insights you want to share? I’m truly honored to be a part of your successful Best Dressed Men on the Planet list, even though I don’t specifically look at myself as somebody fashion-worthy.  I dress to have fun and conquer the world, one smile and bright color at a time!

Manny’s bracelets aren’t just stylish-they’re for luck too!

Interview by Steve Oldfield