When Iza Calzado was just starting in GMA 7, I must have asked her more than 10 times — at every chance we’d meet — if she was sure she was the daughter of choreographer-turned-director Lito Calzado. I only stopped badgering her with that question when she flatly told me during a Startalk guest stint: “But you’ve asked me that many times already!”
Of course, I was just being playful when I would wonder aloud about how I doubted her being Lito’s daughter. That was also said with fondness because Lito and I worked on the Gawad Urian production for 11 years. We’d always have this running joke about how we hated each other — when in truth we’ve always been very good friends and comfortable in each other’s company.
And I never implied that Lito wasn’t good-looking. Oh, he was quite a ladies’ man back then, but let’s not get into that because I know he may just terminate our friendship if I pursue this and I want to keep our friendship. Let’s just say that Lito has his own charm — always had.
But admittedly, Iza is a goddess: Those cheekbones and her skin tone — not too dark and not too mestiza. That’s an asset that allows her to play either rich or poor in the movies and on television.
Undeniably, she is the Hilda Koronel of today. Uncannily enough, aside from being the loveliest in their generation, both possess great acting skills that made them command the public’s respect early in their respective careers.
In the Gawad Urian of 2006, one of the award presentation’s most unforgettable moments was when Iza handed Hilda the Best Supporting Actress trophy. Iza had won the previous year for Sigaw and that evening, Hilda finally got her Urian for Nasaan Ka Man (for some reason, the Urian became elusive to her because those years she’d be in the running always proved to be toughest — competing with both Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos).
However, let us not forget that Iza is still a goddess with clay feet. She’s not immortal and cannot keep her looks forever. To begin with, acting is the one profession that abuses the body’s largest organ — the skin. Actors are exposed to all harmful elements to the skin, particularly the sun. Of course, there’s makeup that no actor, even with perfect skin, can’t do without.
And with today’s pollution, everyone — even people who do not work before the camera — needs skin maintenance.
Given the harsh working conditions she has to deal with taping the soap Beauty Queen — particularly in the beginning — Iza was left with no choice, but run to a skin clinic.
She went to Flawless and hit the double jackpot. Not only did Flawless maintain her skin, it also took care of her figure.
I believe now that there really is fairness in this world. Iza may have been fortunate to be born with a truly beautiful face, but her body can be quite a challenge to maintain. She has the tendency to get fat if she doesn’t watch out.
As Dr. Vicki Belo would always tell parents: Don’t let your children get fat at a young age because they will develop more fat cells and they’ll have a more difficult time losing weight when they become adults. If a body has a lot of fat cells, there’ll be more storage room for the fat to stay.
In the case of Iza, I first met her as a chubby 10-year old. Although the regal bearing was already there, I never thought she’d grow up into a raving beauty — and sexy.
I was also witness to how she kept her figure. She’d be the last to leave Gold’s Gym. When she had a 1 a.m. call time for a shoot at the Parks and Wildlife one time, she stayed on the treadmill until the fitness center’s 12 midnight closing. To give herself energy, she’d snack on a granola bar. She starved herself most of the time.
But Flawless’ Shape and Sculpt program had been helping her enjoy life finally. Today, all she has to do is lie down and a machine takes care of her — without any discomfort and pain (it’s also non-invasive).
Shape and Sculpt has three phases First it dissolves and melts the fat. And then it also causes the fat cells to shrink. Lastly, it induces muscle contraction to make the body leaner and toned.
Since it worked well on Iza, Flawless made her an official endorser for the skin clinic. Today, Iza’s sexy Flawless billboard causes traffic in Guadalupe. On this page, see how even more shapely she had become as photographed by the great Jun de Leon.
Iza had always been a kind person and a very professional artist. Keeping her looks and body in shape, of course, is part of maintaining her career. I’m just so happy for her that she’s finally found an easier way to do all that. This must be heaven’s reward to her for past good deeds in the past.