Body talk with Precious Lara Quigaman

Life has never been the same again since Precious Lara Quigaman, 23, won as 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-International and, barely five months later, as Miss International (the country’s fourth, coming after Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970 and Melanie Marquez in 1979).

"Major changes in my life?" wondered Precious who has kept her winning vital statistics (5’6" tall, 105 lbs. of Pinay pulchritude and a real wow at 32-24-35). "One thing is that I can’t go out of the house na basta-basta – you know, I have to be sobrang nakaayos. Every now and then, I’m tempted to venture out in disguise."

Has she put on airs – star complex – at home?

"I’m still the same. I help in the household chores. I do my own bed."

Like predecessors (Aurora Pijuan starred in two movies, Si Popeye ATBP. with Ariel Ureta and Sunugin ang Samar with Ramon Revilla; while Melanie is still a most sought-after movie/TV star), Precious is inclined toward showbiz. In school, she has had stints in plays. She played herself in the dramatization of her life on GMA 7’s drama series Magpakailanman, guested on Mahiwagang Baul and Extra Challenge on the same channel.

"Hmmm...I’m thinking of TV hosting (Like 1999 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss Universe runner-up Miriam Quiambao with whom Precious is often compared – RFL). Actually, I’m still trying to find out what field I’m good in, acting or TV hosting? I’m testing the waters."

A Capricornian (Jan. 3), Precious is the current endorser (with Sam Milby, the reigning Crush ng Bayan) of Centrum, the "I want to be complete" vitamin manufactured by Wyeth Philippines, Inc. The commercial was the subject of a presscon called the other day. Funfare sat with Precious for a "body talk."

Is it hard to maintain a Bb. Pilipinas/Miss International figure?

"Of course! You really have to watch what you eat. But in my case, I have to eat a lot because if I get too thin, I won’t look good."

What kind of diet do you follow?

"I eat anything, but I avoid oily and fatty food. Otherwise, I don’t stick to a diet."

What’s your favorite food?

"You know, I can survive on chocolates."

Favorite drink?

"Chocolate milk."

How much water do you take per day?

"I bring with me a big, big bottle of water and I make sure I consume its content every day. I sometimes even refill it."

Aside from Centrum, do you take any minerals for supplements?

"No. Only Centrum because Centrum has everything and I don’t have to take anything else."

How do you take care of your skin?

"I don’t use anything special. I use only moisturizer. I wash my face with soap and water. I never go to sleep with my makeup on."

Are you afraid of exposing yourself to the sun?

"I usually apply sunblock. But during the taping for Extra Challenge, I forgot to use sunblock before I went up to the lighthouse, that’s why my face was sunburned."

How do you take care of your hair?

"My hair is firm so I have to use a special shampoo. I must have hot oil at least twice a month."

What kind of workout do you do?

"I used to go to the gym thrice a week. But now that I’m busy, I go there only when I can."

How do you make up for it?

"I do stretching at home. Or I run around the house, something I can’t do outside without attracting attention."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"It depends on my activities during the day. Sometimes, I go home at 2 o’clock in the morning and I have to wake up at 5. I make up for it by taking power naps, 20 minutes is good enough."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My waist. Why? Because that’s the only part I can show people. I can’t show my cleavage."

What part of a man’s body do you look at first?

"Up close, I look at his eyes."

And what part of your (almost perfect) body do you think needs some improvement?

"My boobies." (Laughs!) "And obviously, I need to gain a little more weight."

How’s your nightlife?

"Not much."

And your love life?

(Brief silence) "Huh?"

Do you have the same boyfriend?

(Smiling) "Next question, please!"

How do you cope with stress?

"Stress? I just don’t think about it. Problems? I just don’t dwell on them. Or I go to the spa and have a massage."

Do you meditate?

"I pray."

What do you usually pray for?

"That my mom will find a boyfriend." (Her mom was widowed last year when Precious’ dad succumbed to cardiac arrest in England. The tragedy happened before Precious went to Tokyo in September, also last year, to compete in the Miss International contest. – RFL)

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"My room. I lock it and keep myself company."

What do you do in your room?

"I read. The book I’m reading now is Heaven Is So Real by a Korean author. Or I listen to my iPod. Or I watch movies on DVD."

What kind of movies do you prefer?

"Any kind, especially comedy."

Who are your favorite actors?

"Tom Hanks and Demi Moore."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"I pray. Besides my wish for my mom to find a boyfriend, I pray that I can take care of my brothers and sisters and bring them home (from the United Kingdom)."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"I take a shower."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m an optimist. I’m a very positive person."

Don’t you worry about anything?

"I do, but not to the extent of scaring myself. Otherwise, I simply shrug and say, ‘Okay, God will take care of that!’ Why worry?"

What kind of guys do you find attractive?

"Physically, Chinese-looking guys who wear glasses. And then, I try to find out if he’s God-fearing. But once I get to know the guy, I look at him beyond the physical. Mas particular ako sa ugali."

What turns you off in a guy?

"Smoking and drinking."

How often do you see your doctor?

"Every three months."

Your dentist?

"Every six months."

Dermatologist?

"I don’t have one."

Aren’t you hypochondriac?

"What’s that?"

You know, somebody who panics at the slightest (usually wrong) feeling of a symptom and/or pain.

"No, I’m not."

Name three women you think have nice bodies.

"I can think of only one – Demi Moore. She’s who I want to be like when I’m fortysomething."

And three men...

"I can’t think of any."

Using body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?

"I pretend to ignore him, not to be interested in him. When I was in high school, it worked!"

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