"I was losing hope," recalled Isabel, an Information Technology graduate from San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City. "During the audition, we, five finalists, were asked to cry. I’ve been auditioning for other commercials, to no avail, so I was depressed. So I cried easily."
In the Max commercial (followed by two more, one for MERALCO and the other for Kotex showing her walking bare-backed in the mall), Isabel, 24, sheds quiet tears when she sees her crush (Piolo) after a long time with another, breaking a wishbone with her at, of course, Max’s Restaurant. Isabel was so good in that commercial, ABS-CBN contacted her to be with Piolo in the teleserye Mangarap Ka but Isabel didn’t make it to the rehearsal. Instead, she landed a supporting role in It Might Be You (starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo).
Then, she guested in Extra Challenge (the birthday episode of host Paolo Bediones) when GMA was casting for Sugo, the top-rating fantaserye topbilling Richard Gutierrez. GMA exec Wilma Galvante saw Isabel. Eureka!
"If I were not in showbiz," said Isabel (who is slowly but surely getting rid of the thick Cebuano accent for which she has been "faulted" by some people), "I would be working as a model in Singapore where my mother and three sisters have been staying for 10 years now." (Her three other siblings are here.)
Half-Chinese (on the side of her father, George So; her mom is Maria Olivia Daytia and Isabel’s screen surname was taken from Olivia), Isabel was named MTV Best Model in 2003, a title that no doubt helped her clinch a deal as endorser/image model of Fly Wear which makes trendy, classy and funky clothes that jibe with Isabel’s free spirit and vibrant personality. She stands 5’7", weighs 95 lbs., measures 32-24-34, and wears XS shirts and size eight shoes.
What sort of diet do you follow?
"I avoid pork. I eat mostly seafoods."
Are you a snack person?
"Yes, I am. I love ice-cream, cakes, burgers and pizza. But my metabolism is fast so I don’t gain weight."
Do you work out?
"At home, I do sit-ups. At the Gold’s Gym (Robinsons Galleria), I lift weights, I box."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"These days, because I’m busy, very little. Only about three hours. Otherwise, I sleep as long as 12 hours."
How much liquid do you take every day?
"Eight glasses of water. I don’t take soda or coffee."
What’s your favorite drink?
"Apple juice."
Do you have any vice?
"I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs. I don’t even dance but I sing."
What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?
"Vitamin C, multi-vitamins and calcium."
How do you cope with stress?
"I meditate. I pray."
What’s your favorite hideaway?
"My room. It has everything – a DVD player, a Play Station Portable. My favorite game is car-racing."
Favorite sport?
"Basketball and swimming."
Any pastime?
"I watch movies on DVD. My favorite is One Fine Day (starring Michelle Pfeifer and George Clooney)."
What was the last movie that you saw?
"Chicken Little."
Favorite book(s)?
"Purpose-Driven Life and Coffee Break with God. I read mostly inspirational books."
How’s your nightlife?
"These days? Zero!"
Love life?
"Also zero."
Are you vain like most good-looking girls?
"In a way, yes."
How long does it take you to fix yourself?
"One hour."
Are you choosy with clothes?
"It depends on my moods. Sometimes, I want to wear something sexy, sometimes naman something conservative."
What’s your favorite sleep wear?
"A loose T-shirt and underwear."
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
"Pray."
And the first thing that you do when you wake up?
"Pray."
What do you pray for?
"I thank God for the blessings and I pray for good health for myself and my family."
Do you apply anything on your face?
"Only moisturizer."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My butt. Cute daw sabi nila."
What part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My hands. They tremble when I’m stressed-out."
What part of your body do you think needs a little improvement?
"My boobs. Too small."
What part of a guy’s body do you look at first?
"The hands. They better be clean."
Name three guys you think have nice bodies.
"Josh Hartnett. Prince William. Richard Gutierrez."
And three women...
"My mom even when she’s somewhat fat. Kate Moss. Linda Evangelista."
Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?
"Through the eyes."