A Shot at Modeling Fame: Bodyshots 2014 Launches 40 Finalists

Bodyshots 2014 contenders at the press launch at Solaire Resort

The Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) presented the 40 contestants—20 men and 20 women—for its Bodyshots Model Search last May 21 at the Eclipse Bar of 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.

A Hallmark of Dining: The Todd English Food Hall Draws Foodies to the Bonifacio Global City

At the fifth-floor SkyPark of SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, streams of people frequently go through the glass doors and into a spacious hall, where they join other diners partaking of feasts. There is a vibe of a cafeteria, a food court or a dining hall, where the space is conducive for communal eating, but it is more well-appointed and the food better well-prepared and delicious. 

The menu describes itself: “Our food hall is all about quality local food with provenance. Here you will find the best of house-made items and locally sourced ingredients, presented in a communal atmosphere. Our menu items are best enjoyed shared, passed around the table. The possibility exists to meet someone new, whether to strike up a conversation or share recommendations over what to order. Our mix of cuisine is eclectic and inspired, but rest assured there is no ‘bad’ seat in the house since you can order anything from anywhere.”

 

The Pasta Station

 

The Todd English Food Hall has recently opened and it has been attracting the foodies of Metro Manila. It is the first restaurant of a celebrity chef to open in the Philippines, and the Philippines is the first and only branch of The Food Hall of the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The 53-year-old, multi-awarded American celebrity chef Todd English, who also owns and/or manages Todd English P.U.B, Bonfire, Figs, Tuscany at Mohegan Sun Casino, Ember Room, Beso and others, flew in late March to open Todd English Food Hall.

The restaurant was brought in through the efforts of Concenti Globali of the Dee family, led by patriarch Rikki Dee, which owns Ebun, Mangan, Chin’s Express, Inihaw Express, Cerveceria, Isogi and Kai. The Dees revealed that they are planning to open another Todd English restaurant, Figs or Todd English P.U.B. of CityCentre in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Designer Ivy Almario and her team were employed to design the European-inspired specialty food hall, approximating the look of the New York branch. The Metro Manila restaurant is bigger at 900 square meters with mosaic marble floors, elegant wood paneling, ceramic backdrops and stained-glass windows.

Preparing the famous flatbreads

Doing the dimsums

The tuna tartare

The Food Hall has nine cooking stations just like in many hotels, but it is not a buffet restaurant. The live stations are a way for diners to see how the dishes are prepared. 

The Pasta Station is adorned with pastas of different colors hung to dry. The Food Hall makes fresh pastas and sauces every day. Try the veal agnolotti (P90), creamy and subtle, the ravioli-like pasta chewy. The station makes goat cheese ravioli (P530) as well as the American favorite mac and cheese (P390), which you can add on crab or lobster.

At the Pizza Station, you can find one of the things the restaurant is famous for—Todd English’s flatbread pizzas. Indeed, using simple and fresh ingredients, the pizzas are really delectable. This is very true for Todd’s signature flatbread (P380) with tomato sauce, Mozarella, basil and parmesan. Other flatbread flavors are crispy eggplant (P460) with talegio, caramelized onion and baby spinach salad; fig and prosciutto flatbread (P530) with fig jam, gorgonzola, rosemary, prosciutto and scallions; the Bronx Bomber (P490) with tomato sauce, Mozarella, pepperoni, caramelized onion, parmesan and parsley; and the truffle fungi (P700) with truffle vinaigrette, mixed mushrooms, fontina and parsley.

Heirloom tomatoes from Tagaytay City

 

Classic sliders

 

The Salad and Charcutterie Station offers homemade salad mixes and dressings such as the Simple Salad (P285) with mixed greens, grilled corn, cherry tomato, shallot vinaigrette and olive oil. The Iceberg Wedge Salad (P420) has Iceberg wedge lettuce, homemade smoked bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado and cherry tomato with smoked bacon vinaigrette and creamy blue cheese dressing. The station also has farmstead and artisan cheeses, as well as cured dried meats.

Asian dishes are made at the Asian Station such as noodles, rice and handmade dumplings.

The Grill Station offers very good burgers and sliders. Its classic burger (P300) is made of freshly ground four-cut meat burger patty, tomato, Iceberg lettuce, mustard relish, T.E. sauce, cheddar and toasted homemade brioche bun. Aside the sliders, there are roast chicken (P320), homemade bacon (P450), pork chops (P430) and duck (P650). The Ocean Grill offers seared scallops (P620) and salt-crusted whole baramundi (P850), among others.

For more seafood, the Raw Bar has oysters, clams, shrimps, prawns, tuna and salmon. A master sushi chef at the Sushi Bar makes fresh sushi rolls. The Wine Bar has well-curated wine selections and cocktails made by a master mixologist. At the Dessert and Bread Bar, an array of sweets and homemade ice creams is laid out punctuated by a big rotating cupcake wheel. 

With the entry of the Todd English Food Hall, the local dining scene has become more exciting, helping elevate Metro Manila as one of the gastronomic spots in Asia.

From left: Chef Todd English, vice president Oliver English, managing director Eric Dee and Rikki Dee