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| Bodyshots 2014 contenders at the press launch at Solaire Resort |
Bodyshots has long been considered the
country’s premiere model contest. Started in 1986, it is also the longest. The
first contest was an all-male modeling contest with professional and amateur
categories. It expanded to include women the following year. From thereon,
Bodyshots was anticipated yearly although there some years the contest was not
held such as 1990, 1991, 1994 and 1997.
Many models, actors, television
celebrities and others started their careers by joining Bodyshots. Winners
include Leo Rabago and Benedict Navarro (1986), Michael Alfers and Tet
Velasquez (1987), Randy Salvino and Marina Benipayo (1988), Jerry Gonzalo and
Apple Barretto (1989), Mon Piscasio and Ana Marie Craig (1992), James Pareja
and Chinchin Estrada (1993), Alain Sia and Liza Bernardino (1995), Regie Curley
and Lucia Santiago (1996), Rolf Angala and Kuku Trinidad (1998), Andex Cordova
and Razelle Anderson (1999), JR Valentin and JP Abinuman (2000), Lauren Novero
(2001), Dennis Dizon (2004), Jose Bernardo Roa and Hazelyn Santos (2008), and
Cedrick Evan Vergonia and Ariane Garganian (2013).
Notable personalities who have been
Bodyshots contestants include Eric Quizon, Marina Benipayo, Ricardo Cepeda,
Joan Bitagcol, Hayden Kho, Lucia Santiago, Lou Bunyi, Wilma Doesnt, John
Estrada, Francine Prieto, AJ Dee, Rhea Santos and Zanjoe Marudo.
Many aspiring models trooped to the
screenings held on April 14, 15 and 21 at the SM North Skydome and Solaire Resort
in the hopes of becoming finalists and getting career opportunities. Aspirants
must be five-foot-seven tall or more for the women and five-foot-ten tall or
taller for the men; 13 to 25 years old (written parental consent required if
underage); have “good body proportion, pleasing personality and good moral
character;” and of Filipino ancestry. They must have attained at least
secondary level of education, and “be willing to undergo the training and
disciplinary requirement of the contest.” The FDAP also requires contestants to
be “naturally born female or male,” barring transgenders from the contests.
From numerous applicants, 40 were
selected.
The 20 women finalists are Aira Inque
(5’ 7” [height], 32 [bust], 24 [waist] and 35 [hip]); Angelica Bernardo (5’ 9”,
32, 24, 37); Annalita Vizacarra (5’ 8”, 32, 25, 37); Arianne Espero (5’ 10”,
32, 25, 36); Catherine Legaspi (5’ 7”, 32, 26, 37); Chantal Serafica (5’ 9”,
34, 26, 37); Charisma Tejerero (5’ 9”, 33, 25, 37); Christienne Garcia (5’
8.5”, 30, 23, 34); Ciara Mendoza (5’ 8”, 33, 26, 37); Claire Cubar (5’ 9”, 32,
24, 35); Ednornance Agustin (5’ 7.5”, 32, 25, 36); Elle Hollman (5’ 8.5”, 31.5,
24, 35); Hannah Iglesia (5’ 9”, 33, 26, 37); Hilda Ronato (5’ 6”, 32, 24, 36);
Jessica Ann Bino (5’ 7”, 34, 25, 37); Jinlyn Talocod (5’ 7”, 32, 24, 37);
Leonalyn dela Cruz (5’ 7”, 34, 24, 37); Racquel Kabigting (5’ 11”, 34, 25, 37);
Ricalyn Ponce (5’ 11”, 32, 25, 37); and Vina Openiano.
The tall Kabigting, Ponce and Vina
Openiano prove to be top choices.
On the other hand, the 20 men finalists
include Arcel Yambing (5’ 8”, 37, 30, 38); Archie Severino (5’ 11.5”, 37, 29,
37); Art Natividad (5’ 11”, 40, 29, 39); Christian Arbasto (6’ 1.5”, 39, 32,
40); Christopher Matecki (6’, 39, 32, 40); Clint Peralta (6’ 1”, 39, 29, 39); Jerome
de Castro (6’ 1”, 37, 31, 39); Jhon Mark Marcia (5’ 11”, 37.5, 30, 38); Jolo
Dayrit (6’, 38, 29, 38); Joshua Dimaculangan (5’ 11”, 39, 31, 39); Juan Carlos
Schubert (5’ 11”, 37, 29, 39); Justin Bonifacio (6’, 39, 30, 39); Karan
Singhdole (6’ 1”, 40, 30, 41); Nathan Wilson (6’, 41, 30, 38); Neil Wilson (6’
1”, 40, 30, 39); Nicko dela Cruz (5’ 10”, 38, 30, 40); Patrick Magtanong (5’
11”, 37, 28, 39); Prince de Guzman (5’ 11”, 40, 32, 39); Ricardo de Jesus (5’
10.5”, 39, 29, 40); and Rommel Cardiente (5’ 11”, 38, 29, 38).
Promising contestants are Marcia and
Matecki. From Olongapo City, Zambales, Marcia has been joining bikini open
contests for many years and is notable for being the Mr. Universe Model 2012
Philippine representative though he didn’t get to compete internationally. He
also appears in a few indie films such as Barako. On the other hand, Matecki is
a Filipino-Australian who is into running.
The
finals night will be on June 28, 7 p.m. at Solaire Resort with Yanna Verbo
Acosta as executive producer; Cata Figueroa as fashion director; and Otto
Hernandez as production director.
The
current FDAP 2014 officers are Edgar San Diego, chairman of the board; Lito
Perez, president; Richard Papa, vice-president and event co-chair; Joceli
Martinez, secretary; Fanny Serrano, treasurer; Edgar Madamba, public relations
officer; and Johnny Abad, event chair.
For more information and updates, visit
their Web site at Boyshots2014ph.webs.com
and their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bodyshots2014ph.
