Flawless pictures and a clearer Belo scenario

In this present world almost everyone is seeking the limelight (Hayden Kho Jr. is that you?). The ongoing Picture Flawless search is helping the public realize that dream. Through this contest, unknowns can become celebrities and those who already have one foot in show business can become even bigger stars. (Flawless by the way won Outstanding Filipino Retailer of the Year — beating corporations that had been around for decades.)

At the moment, there are more than a thousand contestants vying for the chance to win the P800,000 cash prize (there will be two top winners — one male and one female) and all the opportunities to be in the limelight (billboards and TV appearances). About half a dozen of them, however, are already doing TV and movie projects, but through this competition hope to become better known to the public and become big-time. It’s risky because you somehow already have a name to protect. But how do you think Charo Santos got to her present status if she didn’t take on the same route to success?

A veteran of pageants, I don’t think she ever lost in a beauty/personality contest. She just didn’t join the Binibining Pilipinas search because she herself admitted that she “didn’t have the body to fill up a bathing suit.” But she was Miss Southern Tagalog Athletics Association, Miss Green Revolution (a contest that — if you think about it — could still be relevant to this day of environmentalism) and all the beauty pageants in her province of Mindoro.

By 1976, she was already a much sought-after cover girl and was already one of the lead stars in the sitcom Ang Lola Kong Baduy (with the late Chichay in the title role). But she still pushed her luck, joined and won the very prestigious Baron Travel Girl where intelligence counted for so much.

As part of her prize, she won a round-the-world tour, but that turned out to be mere icing on the cake. Lino Brocka was watching the Baron Travel Girl proceedings on television and tipped off Mike de Leon about this contestant (she was clearly a standout) who was perfect for the now-classic Itim. Taking that risk paid off a million fold. She won Asia’s Best Actress for Itim, became a respected actress and powerful TV-movie executive. Look where she is now. 

 I therefore admire the determination of the minor celebrities (as of now, but wait till they win) who joined the Picture Flawless search because that only means they have goals and ambition and will do anything legally and morally to attain their dream. I’m sorry to the thousand others but I cannot fit you all in here and am focusing only — at least for the time being — on those who are already in show business and have showbiz ties. So here they are:

DM Sevilla — Now 22 years old, he joined the Star Circle National Teen Quest in 2005. He is currently part of the Star Circle Reload and dances in A.S.A.P. Fanatics and Wowowee. He also played Bugoy in the indie film Signos.

Abigail Arajo — A 15-year-old former child actress. She is now a commercial model and has appeared in a couple of indie projects.

Alexandra Bola — Only 12 years old, she sings, dances, does modeling and has appeared in Ikaw na Sana, Yaya and Angelina: the Spoiled Brat Movie and will portray Sharon Cuneta’s daughter in Mano Po 6.

Jace Flores — He hardly needs any introduction anymore because he is already among the more successful Survivor alumni. I can see how hard he is working to win the Picture Flawless contest by working out non-stop in Gold’s Gym and, of course, constant treatments at Flawless — photogen (to tighten and contour face and abs) and the works.

There are also contestants who may not be in TV and movies, but has showbiz connections. One of them is Ariane Muñoz and she is the first cousin of Aljur Abrenica. Ariane is only 12, but my bet is that she will also end up in show business because she is good-looking enough to be on TV and in the movies.

The Picture Flawless competition holds a lot of promise for its contestants. For those who are not in showbiz yet, they may be another Mark Herras or Yasmien Kurdi, both unknowns prior to StarStruck, but eventually became popular and have become Flawless endorsers.

Even if the contestants don’t win, they can be a Sam Milby who may not have won in PBB, but look where he is now. As for those who are already in showbiz, why, they can become another Charo Santos.

* * *

Just so this is clear: It is not Dr. Vicki Belo who is running after Hayden Kho Jr. Last year, Vicki broke off with Hayden after he was caught having affairs with other women. He wooed her back through emotional blackmail — by popping pills.

The same thing happened this year, except that the casting (nobody from showbiz) was already different. Vicki once more called it quits with Hayden last Dec. 2 and the following night, the same scenario was played all over again. When I spoke to Dr. Belo on Dec. 4, I knew she was already up to here with Hayden, but there was still compassion left. Heck, even Ricky Lo and I who handled the Hayden Kho segment in Startalk’s Dec. 5 edition went easy on Hayden because he was still in the hospital that time.

Dr. Belo’s problem is that she is such a people-pleaser and it is so easy to make her feel guilty about anything, especially when the person she is dealing with is troubled. In Hayden’s case, Vicki feels it was her fault for shoving Kho into the limelight — even encouraging him to join Celebrity Duets. Does she still love Hayden? Maybe yes, but basically there is more compassion than love to it.

I bet the same story will play out again in 2010 and I’m saving this article in my file and simply reprint it. Same time next year.