I’m sure that regular viewers of GMA 7 shows are familiar with Ehra (full name: Katherine Ann Madrigal) who’s in the cast of Majika, NUTS Entertainment, Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita and S.O.P. Gigsters. She has done a few movies, among them the Vic Sotto starrer Enteng Kabisote and the Angel Locsin-Richard Gutierrez starrer I Will Always Love You.
But not many people perhaps know that Ehra is more than just a beautiful body. In school, she was an officer/member of the Dance Club, the Theater Club and the Bookworm Club. She finished nursery-prep at St. James Academy, grades one to two at Colegio de San Agustin Dasmariñas, grades three to six at the Holy Spirit Academy in Malolos, first to fourth year high school at the St. Mary’s College of Quezon City, first year college (up to the present) at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (Hotel and Restaurant and Institutional Management).
A discovery of the ABS-CBN talent search Star Circle Quest (batch 1), Ehra has also been doing commercials since she was a kid. She’s under an eight-film contract with Regal Films, managed by Annabelle Rama.
She’s the daughter of retired sexy star Karla Kalua (who starred in the ’70s skin flick Chikas with Rachel Anne Wolfe and Tanya Gomez). Michelle Madrigal, who’s with the ABS-CBN Talent Center (she’s co-starring with Toni Gonzaga, Luis Manzano, John Prats and Pokwang in the new ABS-CBN show Crazy For You), is her younger sister. (They have half-siblings on both sides of their parents.)
Asked if there’s any sibling rivalry between them, Ehra said, "None. I’m happy for her, I support her – and vice-versa."
Is being an FHM cover girl a big boost to your career?
"I think so. I never expected FHM to choose me. I’m overwhelmed. I’m honored."
How did you prepare for the shoot?
"I almost starved myself for 10 days. I had to shed a few pounds. I ate mostly oatmeal and peanut-butter sandwich."
What’s your regular diet?
"I’ve tried several, one of them the South Beach Diet."
What workout do you do?
"Cardio exercises. I find time to go to the gym to work out."
Do you apply anything on your skin?
"I get a body scrub every now and then. Every day, I apply moisturizer all over my body."
Do you avoid the sun like most women?
"No. In fact, I love to stay under the sun because I want to get darker. I have a fair complexion. Michelle is the opposite. She is morena."
Does any part of your body need some improvement?
"I need to firm up my arms."
What part of your body do you find sexy?
"My lips and my cleft chin."
And what part do other people find sexy in you?
"My chest. They say it’s an asset."
What part of a guy’s body do you find sexy?
"The eyes."
What vitamins do you take?
"Vitamin C. I see to it that I eat lots of fruits."
What are your favorite fruits?
"Orange and apple. Sometimes, I crave for strawberry."
Favorite juice?
"Orange juice and apple juice."
Hard drinks?
"Margarita. I drink only occasionally."
Do you smoke?
"No."
What about your outlook in life? Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
"I’m a worrier. I worry about anything – about my family, about my career. I don’t have a car, so I worry about what would happen to me on my way home. I’m trying to change that attitude."
How do you cope with stress?
"I pamper myself. I go to a spa. I get a massage. Or I just relax in my room, listening to mellow music."
Do you have any favorite hideaway?
"Boracay. I’ve been there thrice but I want to keep going back. I love the sand, the sun and the sea."
What about sports?
"I play badminton. In school, I used to compete in volleyball. I’ve tried mountain/wall-climbing."
How’s your love life?
"Zero. I have no boyfriend – by choice. I’m concentrating on my career."
Nightlife?
"I used to go out every day. Now, I just hang out with friends at my place or in their place."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"If I don’t have work, eight to 10 hours. If I lack sleep, I get black rings around my eyes. I get eyebags."
What’s your favorite sleeping wear?
"Short-shorts and loose T-shirt."
What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
"I watch TV and listen to music to calm myself. And then I close my eyes while I pray until I fall asleep."
And the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up?
"Check my cellphone for missed calls and messages. I turn my cellphone to ‘silent mode’ before I go to sleep."
Favorite fantasy figure?
"Batman. I’d love to be stranded with him on an island – anywhere!"
Name three guys you think have nice bodies.
"Jericho Rosales. Nice color, nice abs. Richard Gutierrez. Maganda ang height, okay ang porma at mukhang parating mabango. Marc Nelson."
And three women...
"Rufa Mae Quinto. Well-proportioned. Angel Locsin. Aubrey Miles."
Using body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him?
"I won’t keep my eyes off him. If he looks at me, I smile at him."
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)