CEBU, Philippines – A female Tourism graduate and a male online English teacher will be Cebu’s representatives to this year’s prestigious Bodyshots modeling competition, the finals of which will be held November 30 in Manila.
Christy Perolino, 21, and Matthew Zaldarriaga, 23, each bested seven other finalists during the coronation night held October 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s PAGCOR Teatro Casino – earning the right to wear the Cebu sash on the national stage.
Perolino (also the recipient of awards for Best in Runway, Best in swimwear, Best in Eco-wear and Ms. Face of IAM) and Zaldarriaga (who was also awarded Mr. Sheena Beaute and Mr. Face of IAM) both received a cash prize of P20,000.
The five-foot-nine tall Perolino is a graduate of the University of the Visayas with a degree of BS Tourism Management. She used to work for a financing company in Cebu, but had quit her post to focus on the competition.
A native of Liloan, Perolino says she looks up to Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon, the Filipina beauty queen who is now embarking on a modeling – and possibly acting – career in the United States.
Compared to Perolino who has been modeling for years now, the Chicago-bred Zaldarriaga can be considered a modeling neophyte. The Bodyshots Cebu search was his first ever competition.
An online English teacher to Japanese students, Zaldarriaga had briefly dabbled into acting when he was cast in the indie film “Piding” directed by Paolo Bigones.
“Other than going to gym often and dieting, I will mostly practice my walking because I am very nerdy and I have stiff shoulders. I have to learn posture and I’m practicing in front of the mirror,” says Zaldarriaga of how he plans to prepare for the Bodyshots national finals.
Hailed as Bodyshots Cebu first runners-up were Katie Sanders, 18 and Giovanni Ramos Viter, 21. They each received P10,000. Viter was also named Best in runway, Best in swimwear and Mr. Photogenic.
Second runners-up were Shanette Delalamon, 20 and Mahkail Unda,19. They each received P5,000. Delalamon was likewise named Ms. Photogenic.
Other awardees were Misty Nelson as Ms. Sheena Beaute and Jersell Cabatino as Mr. Best in Eco-wear.
All 16 finalists first appeared onstage in Eco-wear attires in line with the contest’s “Environment Matters” theme. The gents and ladies later on heated up the venue with swimwear by Danny Booc and Alejandro Godinez, and then finally flaunted their elegant best in formal wear by members of the This Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP)-Cebu chapter.
Serving as judges were Mariam Acompañado, Gany Gakuan, Dave Ocampo, Johnny Abad, Fremont Base, Didier Belmont, Sheena Macapili, with Digna Rosales as chairwoman of the board .
“Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalist Marielle Montellano of Cebu was the evening’s special guest, performing Natalie Cole hits to the delight of the crowd. Miss Mandaue 2014 Lou Dominique Piczon and Jewel of the Philippines 2016 Natasha Angela Manuel hosted the event.
Lemuel Rosos, president of FDAP-Cebu expressed his gratitude to all members of their organization, their generous sponsors and FDAP National for helping make the event a success. Rosos admitted that while they went through numerous challenges heading to the final event, he nevertheless feels proud with the unity that the members of FDAP-Cebu have shown. FDAP is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary and continues dominating the fashion industry in the Philippines.
A first in its 30-year history, Bodyshots held a search for male and female aspiring models in Cebu. Former Cebu representatives were previously just handpicked, as opposed to holding a pageant to determine the best delegates.
An FDAP-affiliated contest, Bodyshots has been duly acknowledged for producing or debuting numerous established names in the modeling, pageant, broadcast and showbiz industries. The list of Bodyshots winners and finalists who later made names for themselves in the entertainment industry is nothing to sneeze at: there’s Eric Quizon, Marina Benipayo, Wilma Doesnt, Zanjoe Marudo, John Estrada, Hayden Kho, Joan Bitagcol, Francine Prieto, newscaster Rhea Santos, Leo Rabago, TV director Lawrence Dyogi, Patti Betita, Gem Padilla, Maricar Balagtas, just to name a few.
In 2000, the Bodyshots winners in both male and female categories hailed from the Queen City of the South – JP Abinuman who later won the Miss Global International crown in Istanbul, Turkey; and JR Valentin who became an actor under the screen name Juancho Valentin.
The Body Shots 2016-Cebu Search was co-presented by Crimson Resort and Spa, Ms. Mariam Acompañado, Casino Filipino, Cruzskin Medical and Aesthetic Center, The Freeman and Banat News, SM Seaside City Cebu, KEG Travel and Tours, Dr. Joel Salahudin, Limerick Productions Philippines, Ozar Events, Wellcom Hotel and AMBL Enterprises and Advertising.