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TWENTY
years after they joined Bodyshots, some of the
contenders are still visible in the fashion scene. Such
is the pull and prestige of the contest that anyone who
took part in the seminal modeling competition is assured
of career longevity either on the runway or behind a
production.
Past
perfect
“WINNING
the Bodyshots title in 1988 contributed much in the
first years of my modeling career. It gave me the
opportunity to work for the FDAP [Fashion Designers
Association of the Philippines], thus widening my
exposure and network in the field,” says Marina Benipayo,
still magnificent in couture on the catwalk.
“It did
open a lot of opportunities in terms of my modeling
career, but still you have to work a lot for it,
protecting your name and dignity [along the way],” says
Bong Regala, Benipayo’s batchmate who also went on to
dabble in acting for a bit.
How come
the succeeding crop of models didn’t quite measure up to
the standards set by their batch or those before them?
“Oh,
what a compliment!” The ever graceful Benipayo beams. “I
guess because shows before were mainly ‘categorized’
[sportswear, daywear, cocktail, formal, couture, etc.],
enabling us to train ourselves to master these looks,
thus honing our versatility with our own individual
characteristics thrown in. This led to identifying
‘walks’ that became our trademarks.”
Regala,
who now works as an assistant to director Ogee Atos,
offers a withering reply: “Well, because they are not to
the manor born”—then justifying his seeming sarcasm by
adding: “Batch namin ang maraming sumikat ’no!
Like Patty [Betita], Gem [Padilla], Lou [Bunyi], Randy [Salvino],
Romano [Navasero].”
So is it
safe to assume that Batch ’88 has the most famous
Bodyshots alumni? “I believe so. I think so! Because I
belong to that batch!” the boisterous Gem Padilla, who
later became a Binibining Pilipinas winner, laughs. “I
met my best friends at Bodyshots, and they made my
career and my experience in the modeling business fun,
colorful and freaking fantastic.”
“No
doubt about it, our list of alumni speaks for itself.
Other contests may have come and gone but Bodyshots is
here to stay. Imitation may be the best form of flattery
but they don’t have the history and originality,”
Richard Papa, the project chairman, says. “We’re not
competing to be the most prestigious. Our goal is to
launch 36 models a year. Win or lose, Bodyshots is a
good launching pad for aspiring models.”
JP
Abinuman, the 2000 grand winner, offers the same
reinforcement: “Winning Bodyshots opened doors for me.
It gave me the opportunity to travel, compete
internationally, see the luxurious side of life and gave
me the confidence to talk to people from all walks of
life.” She went on to be crowned the 2001 Miss Global
Queen in Canada. Kathy Moya, Joanne Padilla, JR Valentin
and Hayden Kho also came from Batch 2000.
In 1986,
the year it was conceived by then FDAP president Barge
Ramos to revitalize the fading group, the first winner
was Leo Rabago. The first host was Loren Legarda, who
was rattled by the presence of Elvira Manahan, the first
chairman of the panel of judges.
Balikbayan designer Jan Garcia recalls: “I belonged to
the first batch! Ouch! My contemporaries were Leo, JB
Abesamis, John Gaddi, Robert David and Eric Quizon.” How
come in recent releases, you’re categorized in the
female division? “Miscast talaga ako. I remember
I was the only one in a two-piece during the swimsuit
competition!”
This
year’s competition was the first after a four-year
hiatus. It wouldn’t be presumptuous to say that
Bodyshots will once again revive the waning clout and
standing of the FDAP in the fashion field. With
Executive Decisions as partner, the group staged the
contest at the Sunset Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza,
with Megaworld, Nesvita and the Philippine Tourism
Authority as presentors.
“Each
portion of the show is characterized by shape, structure
and silhouette. At the same time, the FDAP will be doing
its fashion dictations based on those characteristics,”
flamboyant director Raymond Villanueva shared days
before the much-anticipated event. “This will definitely
be different. This edition has a tagline: ‘Who will rule
the runway?’ So expect an endless runway.”
Present
tense
AS
tension built up toward the final’s night, as
contestants became more visible and confident, I picked
my choices: Eric Eleazar, Bjorn Aguilar, Jobo Roa, Leny
Vergara and Diana Santos. Eleazar, who recalls the quiet
machismo of JR Valentin, dropped midway. A total loss.
The
front-runner, Bjorn, 25, a management information system
grad at PSBA who also worked at Citibank, shared: “I
joined the contest because my agent told me to. I need
the training also. It’s fun. It’s the first time I
joined a competition.” He emerged first runner-up, edged
out by .1 at the final score. He was adjudged Best
Formal Wear in Raoul Ramirez.
Future
shock
“I AM a
simple probinsyano who dreams of becoming
successful in life,” said six-foot, 20-year-old Jobo Roa,
who hails from an old-rich political clan in Cagayan de
Oro City. “When I first heard about Bodyshots, I thought
it was a bikini search that would require you to show
off some skin and would not give you any good exposure
in modeling. So at first I ignored it,” Jobo said before
pageant night. “But when I was informed that it’s the
pioneering model search in the country and of the
numerous models it produced in the past who went on to
success, it changed my perception. As a newcomer in the
industry, it made me realize that it would be a great
opportunity for me to be known and excel as a model.”
“Being a
grand-prize winner makes me feel happy, flattered and
proud. I know that this is the beginning of my career in
fashion. This thing will not happen without God’s grace
and blessings,” says Hazelyn Santos, 19, a third-year
international relations student at Lyceum. She is a Miss
Malabon winner nurtured by the brothers Jontie and Nikki
Martinez.
“It’s
unexpected. Until now I still can’t believe it,” Roa, a
Jingky Ilusorio talent who quit his civil-engineering
studies at Xavier University, says the morning after his
win. “Hard work pays off.” |
