Sultry, Classy Eurasia

CEBU, Philippines - Hot girl group Eurasia sent hearts racing when they performed in an all-male Catholic school’s grand event and in an earlier album promo tour at the SM City Cebu Event Centre. In skin-tight flesh tops and leather pants, the five-piece force under Viva Artist Agency’s stable of talents sang and danced their trademark pop tunes during the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Alumni Homecoming at the Radisson Blu Hotel last Dec. 26.

The FREEMAN got to meet up close the multi-ethnic mix of European and Asian girls and had a chat with them before their turn on stage. Our verdict: this certainly was a band of strikingly attractive ladies. Meet the sultry yet classy Eurasia, made up of Lana Roi, Sara Polverini, Kelly Gamboa, Kristine Nieto and Gail Nicolas.

Lana is part-German, Sara is part-Italian, Kelly is half-British, Kristine has a mix of Japanese ancestry and Gail is the only 100% Filipina.

“Eurasia was put together almost two years ago by Viva Entertainment. We all did our own thing before like modeling, some were into singing and acting. We had to audition to be part of the group and that was how we were brought together,” said Lana, who mostly spoke in behalf of the group.

Each worked as busy models and had their own claims-to-fame before joining Eurasia. The statuesque Lana won the Century Tuna Super Bods tilt in 2009 and was one of the top finalists in the 2009 MYX VJ Search. Born and raised in Canada, she participated in the 2004 Global Teen Canada pageant and likewise joined Canadian Idol.

Sara is a sought-after model and an “Ang TV” alumna. Kelly, the belter and youngest member of the quintet, was born and raised in the United Kingdom. In 2004, she was crowned Miss Young Philippines UK 1st runner-up and Miss Philippine Independence 2005.

Fil-Jap Kristine was a 1st runner-up winner of the ABS-CBN reality TV show Be Bench The Model Search. She is Eurasia’s trusted rapper. Finally, pure-blooded Pinay Gail was a 2007 Mossimo Bikini Summit grand champion and “Pinoy Fear Factor” finalist. She also dabbled in acting and has appeared in a few movies.

We don’t have to wonder then why they never fail to elicit curious and admiring stares wherever they happen to be. “Everytime we travel, no matter where we are in the world, like in the airport, the people go ‘Who are these five girls? Are they models?’,” shared Lana.

Care to know what kind of guy each Eurasia girl fancies? We got a clue what their types are when they revealed their showbiz crushes. Lana’s into Jericho Rosales, Sara’s smitten with Carlo Aquino, Kelly chooses Aljur Abrenica, Kristine likes Derek Ramsay, while Gail says it’s hands down Dennis Trillo.

Is it possible for five gorgeous ladies with different backgrounds and personalities to co-exist harmoniously and never resort to hair-pulling or catfight scenes? While Sara shares she’s heard horror stories of other girl groups, she says they’ve managed to get along just fine. “We’re not like them. We don’t really fight. We meshed together even if we have different personalities.”

It helps that they all share the same passion for pop, RnB and dance music, as well as food and travel.

“We do pretty good as a group. We’ve traveled a lot around the world so we’ve gotten very close. We’re kind of more like sisters. There’s not really much of arguments or quarrels. Everyone has their own input in everything. We really work together,” Lana added.

They’ve also pretty much agreed on their individual looks, such as how the Spice Girls have a Scary, Posh, Baby, Ginger and Sporty Spice. Lana’s the edgy Eurasia, Sara’s the sweet and sexy, Kelly’s the baby and rock chick, Kristine sports the Japanese street style look, and Gail is the hot and sexy.

“We get influences from other girl groups, but our look is very international. Of course, when we perform we do girl group songs like from the Pussycat Dolls or Beyonce, but we kind of have our own sound,” said Lana.

Early last year, they released a 13-track debut album titled “Eurasia” under Viva Records, composed of ‘80s song remakes fused with modern beats that are according to Lana, “danceable, melodic, and well-harmonized.” The most familiar in the album would be their remake of the single “Working Girls”, since it became the main theme song of Viva Films’ remake of the ‘80s classic film Working Girls.

The rest of the album tracks include the Taglish tunes “Ikaw Ay Perfect,” “Kaya Mo Yan,” “Honey My Honey,” “Walk Like An Egyptian,” “Don’t Be Shy,” “Boy,” “Floating,” “Hinding-Hindi (Ka Magsisisi),” “All I Want,” “Init Ay Madarama,” “Sumayaw,” and “Mambobola.”

“It’s produced by Marcus Davis who did some Sarah Geronimo songs. It’s a nice mix of music, the genre is more of dance-pop. Music to sing along and dance to,” Kelly said.

Eurasia had an Asian tour last year which brought them to Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and China to showcase their talent. They’re also able to hone their performances through a thrice-a-week gig (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) at the upscale Resorts World Manila.

But while they were regulars of GMA 7’s “Party Pilipinas” last year, Eurasia revealed that they will now be seen on TV 5’s “Willing-Willie.” “It will be once a month first and from then on, we will see. It will be kind of a fresh start,” said Lana. (FREEMAN)