More than just a body beautiful

Five weeks after its pilot episode, ABS-CBN’s afternoon soap Pieta continues to titillate televiewers with the sizzling chemistry of Krista Ranillo and Ryan Agoncillo.

To her credit, Krista has become more comfortable sinking her teeth into daring roles — tempered no less by her shockingly brazen portrayal of a wanna-be starlet in the indie film Paupahan and her equally revealing spreads as FHM’s August 2008 cover girl.

It’s all clockwork for Krista by now — the torrid kissing scenes, the jaw-dropping two-piece bikini exposures and other beguiling shots that flaunt her curves.

“It is a sexy role after all and an equally challenging hurdle to live up to my predecessor,” she explains, alluding to the original Ms. Body Beautiful Vivian Velez’s inspiring performance as Martha in the original 1983 movie adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas’ comics series.

Spruced up with a more modern storyline, today’s Pieta (directed by Toto Natividad and Don Cuaresma) finds Martha as a well-to-do colegiala who crosses paths with the destitute but hardy Rigor (Ryan).

Krista and her co-stars anticipate the forthcoming Pieta Mall Tour series.

Krista also makes a cameo appearance in Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After, where she plays of Oyo Boy Sotto’s girlfriend.

She also figures in Hush-Hush, TV5’s new all-star drama series that probes the exciting and multi-faceted lives of celebrities and showbiz personalities. Touted as the local version of Gossip Girls, the show is directed by Laurice Guillien and stars Dominic Ochoa, Bernard Palanca and Ina Feleo.

Krista is also a credible celebrity endorser. She has been tapped as Petron’s Calendar Girl for 2009 and hosts PLDT DSL’s weekend promo tours in various malls.

Krista is managed by ALV Talent Circuit.