Brapanese (Brazilian-Japanese) model Daniel Kenji Matsunaga has only been in the Philippines for a little less than a year, nevertheless, he has already enjoyed a fruitful career in the country. He has appeared in many television and print advertisements and has graced the covers of several Philippine magazines. He has also been given the chance to act in “The Last Prince”, a GMA7-produced soap opera, and in an independent film entitled “D’ Survivors“.

Despite all his career triumphs, I have received unconfirmed reports that Daniel is no longer coming back to Manila. Daniel, who even contemplated on becoming a Filipino citizen due to his successful career in the Philippines, is apparently very much saddened and embarassed by the surfacing in the internet of a picture of him in his birthday suit and wearing just a few accessories. The picture, which featured Daniel in a pose showing his bare behind and another covering his privates with his hand, was taken in 2006 by popular Singaporean photographer Leslie Kee to be a part of his book, “Superstars”. Leslie’s book showed several popular Asian and foreign models and celebrities au naturelle. The proceeds from the sale of “Superstars” (which was priced at US$300) was intended to be distributed to the victims of the tsunami which affected some parts of Asia in December 2004. The same book also featured former Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate Rocky Salumbides.

Daniel, who is currently in Brazil, is reportedly flying to Hong Kong instead of the Philippines to continue his modeling career there after his two-week vacation in his home country. I wonder what the GMA7 management is going to say about this especially when he is slated to appear opposite Heart Evangelista in “Langit Sa Piling Mo”, an upcoming primetime soap in the Kapuso network.