Will Bodyshots produce more actors, actresses? - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

What do Eric Quizon, Calvin Millado, Ricardo Cepeda, Francis Ricafort, Bong Regala and John Estrada have in common with Patty Betita, Gem Padilla, Lou Bunji, Ana Marie Falcon and Rachel Soriano?

Well, they had all been candidates of the 12-year-old model search Bodyshots and, even if non-winners (although some of them were runners-up), they went on to make a name for themselves as actors (the first batch) and as models (the second batch), even beauty queens (such as Patty, Gem and Rachel who are all Binibining Pilipinas title-holders).

Yes, the Bodyshots search is one of the richest sources of showbiz material, it being among the few most prestigious glamour contests in the country today, spearheaded by the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP).

Since it started in 1986, the Bodyshots has produced the following winners (check out how they have fared in the "outside world" so far):

• 1986 – Leo Rabago (professional division) and Benedict Navarro (amateur division)

• 1987 – Michael Alfers and Tet Velasquez (first time a female winner was picked)

• 1988 – Randy Salvino and Marina Benipayo

• 1989 – Jerry Gonzalo and Apple Barretto

• 1990 – 1991 (no search)

• 1992 – Mon Piscasio and Ana Marie Craig

• 1993 – James Pareja and Chinchin Estrada

• 1994 – no search

• 1995 – Alain Sia and Liza Bernardino

• 1996 – Regie Curley and Lucia Santiago

• 1997 – no search

• 1998 – Rolf Angala and Kuku Trinidad

• 1999 – Andex Cordova and Razelle Anderson

• 2000 – Jay-r Valentin and JP Abinuman

Tonight at 8 o’clock at the University Theater in UP Diliman, 30 candidates (15 males and 15 females) are competing for Bodyshots 2001. Joey Espino is directing the show.

Here’s the usual report by Funfare’s "beauty experts" Gery Ross Yumping, Joey Cezare, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel (now based in London):

This year’s Bodyshots candidates were presented to the press last June 18 at the Country Waffles, Annapolis, Greenhills. The 30 candidates paraded in swimsuits by Naf-Naf and casual wear by Cinderella. Here they are:

Females – Ardel de Jesus, Shella Peters, Romina Jeffreys, Paula White, Judel Sumay, Jennifer McDonald, Bambi Abdulsani, Christy Joy McGuire, Nikki Meneses, Michelle Schulte, Cristalin Gan, Grace Tagad, Gi-Anne Laudato, Amy Verbo, and Joyce Ortega.

Males – Mark Lopez, Norwin Crespo, Senen Dizon, Luke Mucklin, James Bautista, Jesse Altamirano, Lauren Novero, Jimmy Velasquez, Manolo Andres, Solomon Glass, Jairus Colendres, Zan Joe Marudo, Archie Bautista, Eric Gonzalez, and Jonathan Camara.

Top picks are: Paula White (from UK), Jennifer McDonald, Christy Joy McGuire, Michelle Schulte, Grace Tagad and Joyce Ortega (from Canada), Luke Mucklin (from UK), James Bautista, Jesse Altamirano, Lauren Novero, Jairus Colendres and Jonathan Camara of Canada.

Who of them will stardom bless?