Mabuhay Images

After four years since its last search (and “rebirth”), the legendary modeling search known as Bodyshots has been resurrected (anew). The last “rebirth” had been remembered for a gaffe in the announcement of finalists, but on the plus side it has been a launch pad for the career of Bridget Inoferio (who placed first runner-up in that search), and briefly provided a break for AJ Dee (another first runner-up), along with a slickly fabulous race-car themed fashion show. On a more dubious note, a couple of male contestants from that batch went on to appear in one of those underground “scandal” videos, one of whom went on to reinvent himself as an actor in the burgeoning independent Philippine cinema scene.^*1

^{*1 That particular actor competed under the name Maico Eduria sporting long hair. He had since cut it off, and went on to appear in some short-lived sexy-beefcake collectives like Calendar Boys and Provoq Men as either Maico Morales or Josh Ivan Morales. Then again, this particularly dubious career path had a precedent; remember that 1988 male winner Michael Alfers did a porn video before winning the contest?}

So, how was this year’s revival? This year’s batch of contestants proved to be rather promising—initial glances seemed to indicate the male contestants were a fiercely competitive bunch, better looking collectively than the last edition; there were quite a few standouts on the distaff side, too, even if there is no Bridget Inoferio-style breakout among them. The show venue, though, was not as grand as Le Pavillion along Roxas Boulevard four years ago—it was instead held at the smaller Sunset Pavillion at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.