Body Talk with Francine Prieto

Many people might be wondering. Is Francine Prieto related in any way to the prominent Prietos? The answer is a big no. Like other discoveries of Seiko Films boss Robbie Tan, Francine’s screen surname was inspired by a rich-sounding one – for easy recall, you know. A good marketing strategy, you agree. Thus, Robbie has come up with "pedigreed" names for his Seiko Jewels such as Rodel Velayo (no relation to the owners of the pawnshops near you), Diana Zubiri (no relation to Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri), Nini Jacinto (no relation to the "steel" family), etc.

Francine Prieto is Anne Marie Falcon in real life. She’s the eldest of four children, a B.S. Psychology junior (irregular) at Adamson University and one-time Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist. She has replaced Aubrey Miles as Bench endorser (underwear), the sexy body you see on those huge billboards all over the Metropolis and a standout (singled out by Reuters photographers) during a recent Bench fashion show in Shanghai.

She was introduced in Liberated 1 and she did an attention-arresting comedic turn in Jeffrey Jeturian’s Bridal Shower and is back in Liberated 2 where she and Diana Zubiri play adventurous girls who make a pact to test the limits of sexual experiment by going to bed with as many men as they can and later compare notes.

So, is she as liberated as the title of her movie implies?

"Only in manner of dressing – sometimes," said Francine, "but not so much in attitude."

The second actress (after Gretchen Barretto) pinned down for Funfare’s broken "Body Talk" series, Francine stands 5’10", weighs 125 lbs., wow-wow at 26-36-26, wears medium-sized dress and size 10 shoes.

How did you get such a beautiful body?

"Siyempre, through maintenance. I watch what I eat."

Have you ever been fat?

"Sometimes. But very seldom. The worst that could happen is for me to gain 15 lbs. Panic na ako n’un."

What kinds of diet do you follow?

"I’m choosy with food – luckily. I avoid sweets. No softdrinks for me, not even iced tea. Sorry but I can’t be a vegetarian because I don’t eat vegetables. I’m not much of an eater, also luckily. I eat like a bird. As much as possible, I skip dinner. Nothing after six."

What’s your favorite food?

"Sinigang na baboy."

How many glasses of liquid (water and/or juices) do you take everyday?

"Only about five or six."

What kind of workout do you do?

"Sit-ups, done at home lang. A minimum of 100 each time, tuluy-tuloy ‘yon."

How much sleep do you get everyday?

"Five to six hours at most, especially these days when I’m busy with school and showbiz."

How do you make up for lack of sleep?

"I sleep and sleep during my free time."

What about nightlife?

"Zero. I’m not fond of going out at night. No gimik-gimik for me. I’m a homebody."

What vitamins and minerals do you take?

"Multi-vitamins and Vitamin C. I’m also taking a vitamin for my face."

Do you apply anything else on your face?

"Moisturizer or lotion in the morning and night cream at night."

Are you afraid of the sun (like some women)?

"Not really. But I don’t stay long under the sun. Madali kasi ako mangitim, e."

What about outlook in life? Are you an optimist or a worrier?

"Worry? Why worry? It will only give wrinkles. I’m a positive person; I prefer to look at the brighter side of life. I’m also the type who doesn’t plan ahead. Que sera sera. What will be will be. Oh, yes, I plan only for short terms, mga days lang, but not months ahead."

How do you cope with stress?

"I don’t. Tawa-tawa lang."

What if you’re pressured?

"Dinadaan ko na rin lang sa tawa."

How do you relax or pamper yourself?

"I go to the spa/salon. I get a hair treatment and a massage. At least twice a month. Or nagpapa-service kami sa bahay. At least once a month."

What’s the most vulnerable part of your body?

"My head. And my tummy. I’m hyper-acidic kasi, e."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My face."

Why?

"It’s the first thing that people look at. Your face can make you look either young or mature, depending on your expression. You can be sexy just by using your face."

What’s the first thing that you notice in a guy?

"His body. It has to be proportioned. May mga guys kasi na malaki ang katawan pero maliit ang ulo, you know. I also observe how he dresses, whether or not he’s neat. He also has to be clean."

Any part of your body that you want changed or improved on?

"The lower part – my thighs. Medyo malaki, e."

Do you have a love life?

"None. Zero."

But you have had a boyfriend, I presume.

"Oh, yes, I had. But I broke up with him a long time ago."

Are you vain like most good-looking women?

"I think so. In my kind of work, you can’t help but being vain. You have to look good all the time. But not naman super vain, ‘no! Normal lang. Not to the point na magpapa-retoke na ako."

So every part of you is original and natural, huh?

"Yes. Nothing has been retouched."

How much time do you spend in front of the mirror?

"Thirty minutes is good enough – unless I have to fix myself for a special occasion."

How long do you stay in the bathroom?

"Thirty minutes at most. Wala akong maraming ritual sa banyo."

Do you sleep in the nude?

"Never. Always in pajamas or short shorts. I share a room with my mom."

Name three women with a body as beautiful as yours.

"Beyonce. Kyle Minogue, maski medyo may pagka-payat. G. Tongi."

And three actors...

"Marc Nelson. Christian Vasquez. Diether Ocampo."

Using body language, how would you tell a guy that you admire him?

"I don’t. I recoil. When I like a guy, I can’t look at him straight in the eye. I blush!"

Six Feet Under Quiz Promo

The final season of HBO’s original series Six Feet Under will premiere the last of two episodes on Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. To hype up the series before the finale, Funfare and HBO are conducting a joint quiz promo. Easy does it: Simply answer the set of questions Funfare will be publishing starting in today’s issue and e-mail your entries to [email protected]; subject: Philippine STAR-HBO SFU contest.

The first five senders of the correct answers will each receive a copy of the SFU book (very nice; "collectible"). Participants must answer all the questions (three sets each) based on 11 episodes. They should write their complete name, address and contact numbers. (Call 725-7891, 727-5251 or 726-5132 up to 30 for inquiries.)

And here’s the fourth set of questions (for Episode 306 telecast last June 15; do watch for the replay):

• What art movement coined the term "Elephant Art"?
1. Dada
2. Surrealism
3. Fluxus

• On the camping trip, which hike is Nate excited about doing?
1. Prospector’s Gulch
2. Indian Reserve
3. Suicide Rock

• What kind of art does Olivier call Claire’s sculpture?
1. Tiger Art
2. Termite Art
3. Antelope Art

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])