MANILA, Philippines - (Thumbs up) When Imee Marcos attended the Inquirer Lifestyle fashion show at Peninsula recently, all eyes were on her. It wasn’t her drop-dead gorgeous buttercup-yellow ruffle dress. It was her eye-popping accessory: two tall, goodlooking guys who could be her sons’ age.
Throughout the show, the chic former congresswoman sat wedged between the two hunks.. “Brazilians,” the information rippled across the ballroom.
If Marcos was out to start or emphasize a trend—as she had done in the ’80s—she succeeded. Gorgeous Brazilian guys make good eye candy these days, whether on the ramp (despite the threat of deportation faced by Brazilian models without the proper work permit), or off it.
Less conspicuous—but only because she arrived right before the show and disappeared just as quickly—was ex-model Bessie Badilla, who, while still quite stunning, created more stir for her arm candy than for her own statuesque form.
Now a widow (a very rich one), Bessie was escorted by a Mr. Brazil. Unfortunately, photographers never got to capture the moment.
Turned out, Badilla was chosen carnival queen in Sao Paolo early this year. There she met these pageant winners (video of her partying with them in Brazil is on YouTube). She had e-mailed to friends, telling them that some Brazilian pageant winners would be coming over. Marcos’ escorts were reportedly from that group. A couple of these men were here for modeling gigs.
Brazilian models-as-arm candy is the “a trend” in this town, said a fashion show director. They’re here to stay (the models) “kasi legal na sila,” he said, noting how the models have acquired the required documents.
A prominent social fixture, real estate heiress Divine Lee, has a Brazilian boyfriend, Adriano Cartuliares, who first came to the Philippines to work as a model. The two make a handsome couple.
In the frenetic night life, the Brazilians apparently also pump up the adrenaline.
“Oh you would be surprised!” the director said, emphatic. “If you see these Pinays in the bars, they’re all over these Brazilians.”
“They like the Filipinas,” said Badilla’s designer-friend. “You know how Pinays are, foreigner at guapo, so why not? Some of these women are rich, so these models get to meet many people in these women’s circles. They create a network. They know how to make PR.”
Filipinas had the “Taiwanese phase”—remember the F4, when everyone went gaga over the Taiwanese boys. Now it’s the Brazilian phase.
Voluptuous is beautiful
(Thumbs up) After the hot striptease of the world-famous Dita von Teese, we overheard women talking in the powder room of Shangri-La Makati where the Belo’s Venetian ball was held. Touching up her makeup, one matron turned to the other: “Pwede pa lang voluptuous, diet pa tayo nang diet.”
Correct. Voluptuous was the definition of beauty in the ’50s, when the Hollywood goddesses such as Marilyn Monroe set the world on fire. In the war era, there were the pin-up girls—bosomy, curvaceous hips, pouty lips—whose photos made the soldiers thrown to the war front, feel the home they were missing.
Von Teese represented that kind of beauty—not anorexic or ultra-thin, but with an hourglass figure (22-inch waistline), round hips, very full breasts.
What a reminder it was how the definition of physical beauty has been so tweaked to exult anorexia, such that women are literally starving themselves to death—or are going under the knife at Belo.
Beauty in Grades 5 or 6
(Thumbs up) When is a good time to finetune one’s concept of beauty?
Early, when kids are only in grade school. Unilever’s Dove has a unique campus tour/workshop for fifth and sixth graders. The kids are encouraged to express what, to them, is beautiful, and how they see themselves—beautiful or ugly.
“You’ll be surprised by the confessions they make,” says Dove brand manager Dennis Perez. “Some even cry when they say how they think they’re ugly. Or they cry when they are suddenly surprised that people find them beautiful even if they’re fat.”
The road to self-esteem and self-confidence is a long journey. It’s good to know there are campaigns such as Unilever’s which start at one’s childhood, a time when life is stolen, for some.
Ed Calma, architect at last
(Thumbs up)Pratt-trained Eduardo Calma has just passed the board exams for licensed architects in the Philippines and will be sworn in on Aug. 20.
Last year he and other design consultants were chastised by the United Architects of the Philippines for practising architecture and interior design without a license.
Despite the controversy, Calma went on to win the Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Competition in Arizona. There are winners representing each continent. Calma is the second Filipino to win in the Asian category. Cara Marcelo won two years ago.
The contest consisted of the use of Sub-Zero refrigerators and Wolf burners in a kitchen that was stylish and functional. Calma’s entry—a huge kitchen in Forbes Park, that catered to a family that loved to entertain big.
The judges were impressed by the smooth flow of space, the warm color, the restrained aesthetics and the generous expanse of glass that enhances the enjoyment of the landscape while preparing the meals.
Frustrated Chavit
(Thumbs down) Talk has it that Chavit Singson is frustrated—yet again. He can’t seem to get his membership at Manila Polo Club approved, not even if he’s backed by no less than Iñigo Zobel. Can’t win them all.
Article from :
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080817-155118/Is-Imee-starting-a-trend
Photo from :
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imee_Marcos.jpg 
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