MANILA, Philippines - Arci Muñoz is not shy to admit that she is not quite confident about posing sexy and alluring because she tends to act boyish. But those who have already seen the 2016 Ginebra San Miguel calendar layouts showing her in various settings would certainly agree that none of them reflects her boyish side. All there is to see is a beautiful display of a toned body with curves in the right places fitting enough to be Ginebra San Miguel’s Calendar Girl for 2016.
It was last Tuesday afternoon when the actress-singer was formally launched as the liquor brand’s new “poster girl” during the ceremonial toast, doing fist bumps with Ginebra San Miguel executives and Ellen Adarna who made a graceful exit as 2015 Calendar Girl.
“I’m really thankful that with so many beautiful women in the industry, they (Ginebra) have chosen me to represent this huge and quality brand,” said Arci. “I’d like you to know that this is my first endorsement (deal) and I’ve been here in the industry for 10 years now since I joined StarStruck (in 2005). Sabi ko nga nung una, ‘Seryoso ba sila?’ That’s why, I’m so thankful to Ginebra for trusting in me.”
Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. VP and marketing manager Nelson Elises, in the press release, stated, “We chose Arci Muñoz because she embodies the Ginebra San Miguel brand character — strong, versatile and resilient. She is a complete package. She’s got the beauty and the brains. She is multi-faceted. She’s a singer, an actress and a model. Truly, ganado sa buhay.”
Arci joins the glamorous and appealing line-up of Ginebra Calendar Girls that includes Angelica Panganiban (2007), Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Anne Curtis (2011), Solenn Heussaff (2012) and Georgina Wilson (2013).
With the calendar’s theme A Day in her Life, Arci was able to do some of the things she has never done before like wearing a two-piece bikini. “It was my first time ever to wear a bikini because everytime I go on swimming, I’m always with my family and friends.”
She finds it tough to pose sexy “kasi boyish ako kaya feeling ko very stiff ako so I asked them to guide me. Thanks to our photographer Jay Tablante because they (photos) came out okay. In fact, I only had a few weeks to prepare (to be fit and fab) or maybe a week and a half, so I’m glad everything came out well. The effort paid off at yung pagkain lang ng chips, hahaha.”
Seriously, though, Arci had a blast during the calendar photo shoot. “I had fun during the shoot because I know I am in good hands, they protected me all throughout. The calendars actually revealed more about myself like the things I can do aside from acting at meron din akong mga input. Not many people know that I am athletic… I am a rocker but I also love girly stuff like fashion.” For those not familiar, Arci is the lead vocalist of the rock band Philia that still actively performs in various gigs.
A Theater Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines, Arci is able to use her acting skills by portraying different roles in the big and small screens. She plays the lead character in the ABS-CBN drama series Pasion de Amor and a supporting role in the Star Cinema movie Etiquette for Mistresses.
Asked if she is ready to accept more daring roles, Arci said, “I think I already opened the doors for that, starting with Pasion although they know that I’m a very conservative actress and especially I came from a Christian atmosphere. My parents are really strict so they won’t really allow me to do stuff like this but now naman I think I’m ready and I’ve matured enough. I made sure kasi that before I do something like this, I’m physically, spiritually and mentally ready to be able to perform better. And yes, change is good so I’ll accept daring roles but I always say that I have my limitations at eto lang ang kaya kong gawin.”
Aside from endorsing a brand like Ginebra San Miguel for the first time, Arci gamely shared some of her memorable “firsts.”
My first acting experience was… when I was in high school. That was the time I discovered that I can act because I’m a shy type (of person) na laging quiet lang sa sulok and I don’t really talk that much so nung high school it was part of our exam to recite a declamation piece at dun ko nalaman na kaya ko palang umarte on stage.
The first movie I watched was… I don’t remember which one of the two — Land Before Time or Casper.
The first concert I watched... they were out of the country concerts of Corn, Rob Zombie and Five Finger Death Punch. They’re all rock and roll concerts.
The first actress I admired was… Meryll Streep and the one actor I really love is Eddie Garcia. They are both amazing.
The first musical that had an impact on me was… Phantom of the Opera; I love watching musicals. That’s why when I auditioned ‘yun din Phantom ang ginawa ko.”