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Words: Ma. Angelica Garcia | Video: Lala Babilonia-Lacsina and Mark Jesalva| Photos: Dix Perez | Hair and Makeup: Lea Anchetta | Styling: Deb Bernales, assisted by Kathrin Vapor | Shot on location on March 12 at City of Dreams poolside | All swimsuits by Cesa Philippines | Special thanks: GMA Artist Center
May 19, 2020
Liezel Lopez
Liezel Lopez is one confident woman. On Instagram, the 22-year-old Bubble Gang mainstay would unabashedly post photos of herself in bikinis, sometimes in lingerie, showcasing the kind of toned summer bod that we all aspire for.
Liezel says it’s hard-earned, a product of sacrifice and hardwork. No wonder she’s proud of it and takes pleasure in it. As one does.
Do you have any plans for this summer?
Yes, mayroon. Gusto ko talagang bumisita sa Bali, pangarap ko talaga pumunta doon. Pero I think (‘di muna matutuloy) because of the virus.
What is your favorite thing about summer?
Bakasyon siyempre and mag-relax, unwind and mag-visit ng iba’t ibang beaches. Parang ang sarap din mag-damit ng mga sexy.
Does wearing a bikini make you confident about yourself?
Yes, of course! It makes me feel not only confident but parang empowering din siya as a woman and I feel sexy. Okay siya pang-embrace ng iyong kasexyhan and pang-boost siya ng confidence.
You have an amazing body. What motivates you to work out?
Araw-araw tina-try ko talagang mag-improve ‘yong sarili ko kasi before, tumaba talaga ako like ‘yong waist ko naging 30. After noon, sabi ko sa sarili ko, kailangan pumayat ako. Kailangan ma-achieve ko ‘yong body goal ko na alam kong magiging confident ako sa ginagawa ko.
You have to tell us your secret to staying fit.
I cut rice out of my diet so less carbs na ako hangga’t maaari. Puro white meat lang kinakain ko and hindi na ako nagso-softdrinks, more on fruit shakes na lang. Of course, exercise din. I do cardio and ‘di na ako masyado nagbubuhat.
You definitely have discipline, girl. What is your goal this 2020?
My goal this 2020 is to be a better person. Gusto ko maging settled na this year because I was working para sa family ko and nakabili na ako ng bahay nila so gusto ko this year, ako naman. It's for myself.
Claire Castro
Claire Castro is the charming daughter of ‘90s showbiz personalities Diego Castro and Raven Villanueva. A beach person ever since she can remember, Claire says it is her family’s summer tradition to hop from one beach to another. No wonder the 19-year-old is as comfortable as can be in her swimwear.
Claire admits to being intimidated in her new venture, but says she’s excited to know what showbiz has to offer. Besides, her family is there to support and guide her in every step of the way.
Did you always want to become a celebrity?
Yes, definitely! Ever since I was a kid.
What did your parents say when you entered the industry?
My dad was really happy that I was considering entering showbiz. When I was younger, they did not want me to become a celebrity. They wanted me to go the normal route, growing up. But later on when I was older, my dad was okay with it. He wants it for me as well.
Do you have a favorite Diego Castro project?
Honestly, I have not watched that much because he never really showed me pero I would say “Gimik” talaga.
Why do you say you’re a summer person?
Ever since I was young, me and my family would always go to Subic, Boracay, Batangas, everywhere. I like the weather, the beach and the food, haha!
What is your favorite summer memory?
When me and my sister were younger kasi every time we used to go to the beach tapos wala lang, nandoon lang kami, naglalaro. I miss that. That was before things got busy. Now, we try to find time to do it every once in a while.
Do you have a go-to summer getup?
I would usually grab a pair of high-waist flowy shorts and a crop top then I’m all set!
What do you think your dad has to say with your summer outfits?
He’s going to look at me but he’s OK about it. He’s supportive.
I’m sure you told him about this shoot. What did he say?
Yes, I asked permission from him kasi first time ko gagawin ‘tong ganitong shoot and he was like, ‘Yeah go for it.’ He’s comfortable naman with me doing it.
If you’re not a celebrity now, what are you?
I would probably start my own business this early. I really want to do a makeup business or even a restaurant.
Would that be in your 2020 bucket list?
I plan to work harder this year in GMA and to stay healthy.
Angela Alarcon
Angela Alarcon is the beautiful daughter of veteran action star Jestoni Alarcon. While that alone is enough to start a conversation, don’t let it distract you from all that Angela is.
Her parents gave her one condition before she could enter show business: Angela needed to finish college first. And so she did — with flying colors. Angela graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a degree in Speech Communication. And as though that isn’t enough, allow us to share another wow factor: Our girl is a taekwondo black belter, too.
How was it growing up with Jestoni Alarcon as a dad?
He was a big inspiration and siguro pop culture na rin became an inspiration to me kasi I really admire a lot of actors and seeing them in front of the screen, parang it inspired me to really try acting. I think it’s an eye opener on how the showbiz industry really works. Everyone watches you. Everyone has high expectations but it’s something that pushed me to really come out of my shell and my comfort zone to really be the best version of myself and to push harder to achieve my goals in life.
Do you have a favorite Jestoni Alarcon movie?
Yes, it was way back in the ‘80s called “‘Wag Mong Buhayin Ang Bangkay.” It was really a classic. Sometimes people from around his age would come up to me and say na ang ganda-ganda noon.
Does he know you’re doing a summer shoot?
Yeah, at first he was a bit skeptical about it. He was like ‘Ah just make sure they’re not going to make you look bad,’ haha! But I assured him it’s going to be safe. I think it’s nakakapanibago for him but I think it’s something he has to accept na I’m growing up and it’s time to like flaunt whatever I have, whatever I worked hard for, especially since I have been working out so it’s normal. We all go through this.
Care to share some secrets to staying fit?
I think the secret to staying fit is really balancing what you eat and treating yourself din. Kasi ako, I eat a lot but at the same time, I try to balance it. Binabawi ko siya sa pagkain ng healthy so it’s all about the right balanced diet talaga and workout.
Do you like the summer season?
I'm a super summer person. I love the sun. I love the sand. I love the beach. I love the waves. I love water sports. I love everything about summer. My favorite thing about it is going to the beach with my family, and just enjoying the sun.
You said you love water sports. What specifically?
I surf and I also wakeboard and do jetski, sometimes.
Can you tell me your favorite summer memory?
My favorite summer memory was going to La Union lang with my college friends and that was before my graduation. There I realized na ‘Oh my God, I don’t know when I’m going to have this again’ na I’m just with my friends, having fun, not worrying about everything and partying na you know you're safe. We were just carefree, just dancing to the music, tapos basking under the sun so chill lang. It’s one of those moments na I know I will cherish forever.
So do you prefer spending your summer with your friends?
For now, I want to try it doing alone kasi challenging ‘yon ‘di ba? And all my life kasi I used to travel with my family and friends so siguro ibang challenge naman for me and thrill if I do it alone. I’ve always wanted to try backpacking pero my mom, sobrang strict niya and sasabihin niya na baka ma-Taken daw ako, ma-kidnap. It’s hard to be out there pero you have to think about your safety din.
If you’re not a celebrity now, what would you be?
I’d still enter the media industry for sure. Maybe I'd be a host or a news anchor. I’ve always wanted to be in front of the camera.
Anna Vicente
When Anna Vicente is not on television, you can find her going on spontaneous beach trips and trying her hand at various water sports.
Though she has tried scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing, Anna says she’s still looking forward to parasailing, which is definitely next on her bucket list this year.
Do you consider yourself a summer person?
Yes, definitely I’m a summer person. I’m a beach person, in particular kasi super fan of the ocean talaga ako. I love going to the beach. Every summer I make sure I go to the beach talaga.
Of course, you got to have a favorite summer memory, right?
‘Yong nag-La Union kami. LU talaga kasi sobrang lagi akong pumupunta doon and sobrang binabalik-balikan ko siya with my friends and even my family. Pumupunta ako doon palagi for the food, for the places to chill and for surfing also.
What is something you’ve always wanted to do?
Oh that’s exciting. Siguro parasailing kasi always ko siya gusto i-try pero walang gustong sumama sa akin. My family is afraid of heights kasi pero ako, adventurous ako.
Since it’s summer, do you often work out?
Yes. Medyo mas madalas na ako sa gym. Siguro mga thrice a week na.
You have to give us some tips!
I watch my diet. Kasi ako, I believe talaga parang 70 percent diet and 30 percent workout. If workout ka nang workout pero you don’t watch your diet naman, ‘di naman siya mag-work talaga.
Did you always want to become a celebrity?
Yes. Ever since I was young. Siguro four or five years old ako and ‘yon talaga ‘yong dream ko — to become an artist. Ako talaga ‘yong nagpipilit sa mom ko na samahan ako sa mga auditions and go-sees. It’s more of a passion kasi. Feel ko to be a celebrity is not just being a celebrity eh. It’s to portray different roles na doon mo makikilala lalo ‘yong sarili mo.
You have a degree in international hospitality management. If you’re not a celebrity now, would you be in the business industry?
Yes. Siguro I’m a hotelier now.
How does it feel being part of the Kapuso network?
I’m so overwhelmed kasi with GMA since bago lang ako, winelcome nila ako talaga like a family. Very homey ang vibe ng GMA so I’m a proud Kapuso.
Do you have a dream role?
Siguro to be a lesbian kasi gusto kong ma-challenge. Parang ‘yon na ‘yong pinakamalayo sa personality ko since very girly ako.
Faye Lorenzo
You might remember Faye Lorenzo as the girl featured in the viral comedy sketch “Shoplifter” of Bubble Gang, which has almost 12 million views on YouTube as of writing.
On set, the 23-year-old mestiza beauty displays the same charm and beauty, slaying poses one after another. Faye is a goal-getter ready to conquer the industry with her mesmerizing beauty. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be swept away by Faye!
How do you achieve your beach body?
Actually, sa akin, nag-vegetarian na kasi ako. Nakakatulong siya sa akin mag-lose ng weight and at the same time, healthy ‘yong kinakain ko. Nagbo-boxing din ako and nag-gi-gym pero healthy diet talaga para mas maganda ‘yong outcome sa katawan mo.
Ang pakiramdam ko, simula nag-vegetarian ako, mas lumakas ako. Kaya ko na mag-workout ng two hours ng hindi ako pagod na pagod tapos ‘yong skin ko, mas maganda, mas glowing. Marami talaga siyang benefits sa katawan.
Share some tips on being a vegetarian!
Naku! Hindi naman ako expert, haha! Pero ‘yong sa’kin kasi noong una, talagang mahirap kasi bigla kang puro gulay eh nasanay ka sa meat. Ang ginagawa ko para ma-set ‘yong mind ko na kumakain pa rin ako ng meat, I indluge in vegemeat.
Does this mean you’re very comfortable wearing bikinis? Do you often wear them?
‘Pag nasa beach, yes.
Does wearing a bikini make you feel confident about yourself?
Dapat naman maging confident ka kahit anong suot mo ‘di ba? Dapat maging confident ka sa body mo kasi body mo ‘yan eh.
You’ve been a Kapuso since 2019, how was it so far?
Siyempre sobrang flattered ako. Sobrang saya kasi iba mag-welcome ‘yong GMA eh as in ‘yong family talaga ‘yong turing nila sa’yo tapos grabe ‘yong binibigay nila sa aking blessings.
Did you always want to become a celebrity?
Oo. Bata pa lang ako gusto ko na maging artista kasi gusto kong umarte. Gusto kong makilala and gusto kong makita ng mga tao na may talent ako.
Do you have a dream role?
Parang gusto kong maging kontrabida, haha!
Wow! Why is that?
Kasi comedian ako. Masiyahin akong tao kaya gusto ko naman makita nila kung paano ako ng maldita naman.
Is that one of your goals this year?
Goal ko maging magaling na aktres.
