The good news from Hollywod where the 2007 World Championships Of Performing Arts (WCOPA) is going on is that the country’s bet in the modeling competition is now on his way to the finals after hurdling the preliminary competition.
He’s none other than Iago Raterta, 27 (July 24, 1980, Leo), a BS Business Administration graduate from UST where he was a varsity player.
“Iago has a good chance of making it,” said Carlo Orosa, WCOPA national director in the Philippines, who is in Hollywood with the Philippine delegation. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Our very own Jed Madela romped off with the WCOPA grand championship two years ago and he has been invited to sit as judge in this year’s competition. Jed is the first cousin of Iago.
Besides Iago, this year’s Philippine delegation includes Reuben Laurente, former member of The CompanY; Aria Clemente, ABS-CBN’s Little Big Superstar finalist; Reymond Sajor, ABC 5’s Philippine Idol finalist; Raki Vega, ABS-CBN’s Born Diva grand-prize winner; and The Revelation Band (from Zamboanga). The companies supporting our candidates are Stages, Inc., PLDT My DSL, Outland and PAGCOR.
The WCOPA is the third contest Iago is competing in, after Manhunt Philippines (and the Manhunt International) and 2007 Mr. Philippines-World.
“Manhunt is merely a competition for models while WCOPA is a competition for various performing artists, including singers, actors, dancers, models, etc.,” said Iago in an e-mail to Funfare. “I’m enjoying WCOPA because it is held in the US. It’s my first time to be in America and I even celebrated by birthday here.”
Asked which competition is harder, Iago said, “Mas mahirap ang Manhunt.”
And which is harder, playing basketball or modeling?
“Basketball is definitely harder because it requires a lot of discipline. Modeling also requires discipline but not too much. Basketball demands more time from you.”
Iago said that he has just met Dr. Robert Walcher, the American chiropractor husband of actress Patricia Javier who acts as Robert’s manager and encouraged him to join the WCOPA.
“I met Robert a few days ago during the WCOPA modeling seminar at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. He’s a nice guy; he’s very humble and down-to-earth. Medyo tahimik but approachable. We talked mostly about modeling. He asked if I’m also into acting and I said, ‘No.’ He’s competing in the modeling and acting categories for those aged 30 and above; while I’m competing only in the modeling event for those aged 25 to 29. I’m participating in the formal, casual and swimwear entries.”
The WCOPA should open doors for Iago who has always dreamed to be a model and actor.
“I have already realized my dream to be a professional basketball player,” he said. “My biggest goal is to be a model, preferably based in Europe. My idol? Brad Pitt.”
A Bench model, Iago stands 6’2”, weighs 175 lbs., has a 31-inch waistline, and wears large-sized briefs, large-sized shirts and size-13 shoes.
Don’t guys with beautiful bodies like you feel like, hmmm, a piece of meat?
“No, I don’t. As you can see from my bio-data, I’m not just, as you said, a beautiful body.”
Have you ever received any, you know, indecent proposal?
“Yup! I guess that cannot be avoided. I just ignore those who text me or call me for that. But never have I met somebody who made an ‘indecent proposal’ straight to my face.”
What sort of workout do you do?
“I go to the gym almost everyday if I’m not busy.”
Favorite sport?
“Basketball, of course!”
What part of your body do you think needs improvement?
“I work on my arms because the muscles there are harder to develop. I also work on my abs almost everyday so that I won’t have love handles. He, he, he, he, he!”
What part of your body is your favorite?
“My arms.”
And what part is most vulnerable?
“My back.”
What part of a woman’s body do you look at first?
“The curves. I’m attracted to slim women.”
And what kind of diet do you follow?
“No fixed diet. I eat anything. Malakas akong kumain! I eat like a horse. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I’m carnivorous. My favorite is beef shawarma.”
What vitamins do you take?
“Pharmaton.”
How much water do you take everyday?
“Nine glasses. And fruit juices, too. My favorite is fresh orange juice.”
Do you take hard drinks?
“Only occasionally. My favorite is Johnny Walker Black.”
Do you smoke?
“No, I don’t.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“At least six to eight hours.”
What’s your favorite sleep wear?
“Boxers.”
Do you ever sleep in the nude?
“No. Always in boxers and sando.”
How do you cope with stress?
”I meditate. I pray.”
What’s your outlook in life?
“I’m a positive thinker.”
How do you unwind?
“I go to the spa. I get a massage twice a month. If I’m very tired, once a week.”
What’s your favorite hideaway?
“Boracay, Dumaguete and Iloilo.”
How’s your nightlife?
“I seldom go out. I go to an important event only when a friend invites me. I prefer to stay home.”
How’s your love life?
“Zero. But I go out on dates.”
And your sex life?
“Pretty much okay. He, he, he, he, he!”
Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?
“Anne Hathaway.”
Name three women you think have nice bodies.
“Jennifer Lopez, Lucy Torres and Angelina Jolie.”
And three men...
“Brad Pitt, David Beckham and Michael Sumalinog.”
Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire/like her?
“I give her a little smile.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)