Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

Ginanap nitong nakaraang Sabado, Pebrero 11, 2006, sa Glendale Civic Auditorium, ang kauna-unahang 2006 Bodyshots USA (www.usabodyshots.com). Labin-dalawang lalaki at labing-apat na babae ang naglaban para makuha ang title na magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mananalo na maging representatibo ng Bodyshots USA para sa susunod na Bodyshots sa Maynila, Pilipinas.

Ang mga piling hosts ng gabi ay sina Martin Nievera, Lucy Garcia (Miss Mexico), at ang 1995 Bb. Pilipinas-International na si Gladys Dueñas.

Parehong labim-pitong taong gulang ang nakakuha ng titulo ng 2006 BODYSHOTS USA. Si Austin "Bubby" Dale Joseph Ditmer ay mula sa Seattle, Washington, may taas na 6'0", 160 lbs, at black hair, brown eyes. Basketball at football player ito at kasalukuyang nasa junior high. Ang nagwagi sa babae ay si Monica dela Cruz Lim. Ito'y may taas na 5'8", 120 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, at may sukat na 36-24-34. Magkasama ding napanalunan ng dalawa ang "Best in Runway," "Mr. & Ms. Funky Famous. Nakuha rin ni Austin ang titulong "Mr. Photogenic".

Narito ang mga sumunod na top winners: (Male) 1st runner-up - Andrew Alandy, 19 yrs. old (mula sa Camarillo, California); 2nd runner-up - Damian Sempio, 27 (Kailua, Hawaii); Sa babae: 1st runner-up - Geramie Dizon, 16 yrs. old (Reseda, CA); 2nd runner-up - Joanna Aquino, 20 yrs. Old (El Sobrante, CA).

Narito ang kompletong talaan ng mga special awards: Mr & Ms. Congeniality: Justin David (Valencia, CA) at Jansen Benosa (Long Beach, CA); Mr. & Ms. Flawless Skin: Daniel Estey-Ang (Trabuco Canyon, CA) at Mary Ann Rivamonte (Pomona, CA); Beautiful Hair: Ray Sison (Anaheim, CA) at Geramie Dizon (Reseda, CA); Runway: Austin Dale Joseph Ditmer at Monica de la Cruz Lim; People's Choice Award: Mark Katigbak (San Dimas, CA) at Maria Lulu "Jessica" Recob (Cypress, CA); Mr. & Ms. Funky Famous: Austin Dale Joseph Ditmer at Monica de la Cruz Lim; Darling of the Press: Andrew Alandy at Shelly Manacsa (Canoga Park, CA); Best Skin: Damian Sempio at Maria Lulu "Jessica" Recob; X-Factor: Erwin Escaño (Waipahu, Hawaii) at Maria Lulu "Jessica" Recob; Mr. & Ms. Photogenic: Austin Dale Joseph Ditmer at Rasha Aniag (Buena Park, CA); Formal Wear: Andrew Alandy at Shelly Manacsa.

Maayos at mabilis ang phasing ng presentasyon. Pormal at elegante ang dating ng show. Magaganda ang koleksyon ng designer na si Arielle Agasang, ang Philippine representative ng Bodyshots - Philippines. Kung sa mga mainstream designers lamang ay puwede itong makipag-sabayan. Kasama ni Arielle Agasang na nag-prodyus ng Bodyshots USA ang Highlights Productions (na kinabibilangan nina Reyginald Tomaneng, Shalimar Tomaneng, Brenda Sangalang, at Mary Ann Tomaneng). Direktor ng show si Vic Perez at choreographer naman ang dating modelong si Carl Hancock.

More pics from the BODYSHOTS USA at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos

Cheryl Burke interview
Pebrero 18, 2006

Nakasama ko ang Part-Pinay na si Cheryl Burke, ang dancing partner ni Drew Lachey (ng dating 98 Degrees) sa Dancing with the Stars (palabas ssa ABC 7 tuwing alas-otso, Huwebes at Biyernes ng gabi). Napanood namin ng aking kaibigang si Susan Lim ang live telecast na ginaganap sa studio ng CBS (Channel 2) katabi lamang ng The Grove sa 3rd and Fairfax Ave. Pagkatapos makapagtala ng perfect scores na 30 mula sa tatlong judges (kung saan si George Hamilton at ang partner nito ang na-eliminate), kinabukasan ay nakipagkita si Cheryl at ang ina nito na si Sherri sa amin ng aking kaibigang si Susan Lim para ma-interbyu ito. Sa Palazzo condominium, kung saan kasama ang iba pang out-of-town participants ng Dancing with the Stars, maagang gumising si Cheryl at ang ina nito para matuloy ang aming interbyu. Narito ang ilang excerpt mula sa aming panayam:

How did they (Dancing with the Stars) discover you? "Someone recommended me for the first season. They asked me, but my dance partner and I just got together. We really wanted to compete at that time, so I told them I really can't do the show. Then, the second time, someone saw me when I won the competition for the Latin Rising Star here in L.A. and asked me again. They said, "We would love you to do the second season. Could you come for an interview?" And then, it happened, she explained.

How are you as a teacher? How do you approach and explain things with your students? "I am a very strict teacher. I will sit down with the person and first ask if he's doing this just for fun, or if he wants to win a competition. The first time I met Drew he said he's in it, and he said "whatever it takes I'll do it." So, it also depends on what's his or her personality, and I'll fit mine to his and how much he can take if he's serious about it. I'll put in all the necessary hours and make it perfect as can be."

What do you think would happen in your life after ten years from now? Ten years from now, I'll be 31. Hopefully, I would reach my goals here in L.A. I know I'll be moving from New York back to California. I want to move here in L.A. because I've been living for 2 ½ years and it's not working for me. It's too busy there, too many taxicabs driving everywhere -- and it's so stressful. I like a more, quiet atmosphere. Maybe do some more "Dancing with the Stars. I would love to do another season of this. Well, everyday it changes, ask me this before this started, I'd say to win a World Championship (she recently won the title for 2005 World Cup Professional Rising Star Latin Championship and ranked 4th in the U.S. under "21 years and over"). But now that my life has changed within the last four months, I don't know. I really want to stay in this business.

On Stacey Kiebler and her partner Tony Dovolani, Drew and Cheryl's greatest competitor among the last four couples - "Yes, I heard she had ballet training when she was a kid. She is very, very graceful and it's only to her advantage although she's never talked about it in years, she's here now in the competition and she's doing a good job.

There was a controversy about the voting about the judge putting a wrong number and had to change it. Have you ever talked about this within the group? "Well, what happened was after a couple dances, one of the judges typed in a number. So she pressed a wrong number but she really meant something else. I don't know."

What were your fondest memories the last time you went to the Philippines? "Oh, we went to Cebu and I love the white sand and everything was just beautiful. I remember we also went to my mom's relatives in Nueva Ecija. That was interesting, actually, to see where my mom came from."

What's like the median age to be competing in the professional division (Cheryl I believe at age 20, is the youngest professional) before a typical ballroom dancer retire? "For a woman, it would probably at the age of 31 or 32. For a man, he can go on up to 38 to 40, it depends what he earned, of course. It really depends upon your shape and how much energy you have. If he's been doing it for a long time, he can get tired". For me, I'll probably retire 10 years from now. Have a family, have a school or maybe, bigger than that, or have my own tv show.

Forgive me for asking, but how do you divide your time between career and your love-life? No, I don't have time right now. I did have a boyfriend, he was my dancing partner, actually, but it did not work out. He's from New York. Now, I'm just having fun and I don't even have time to go out.

What are the pros and cons of being a ballroom dancer/ Champ? "The fact is, if you want to be a Champion and you have to strive for that, you will have no time for yourself. You're stuck to this dance world. If you meet someone, you become friends but because of the long hours of practice you are stuck to this dance world. It's like you know everybody there and you go out with them once in a while but you really have to focus. You have to sacrifice your nightlife. The pros is being able to reach your goal and you feel like you've achieved something at the end of the day. That's the best thing you can have".

Is there such any truth about having "two left feet"? "Yes, I think there is (laughs)! There are people who are naturally gifted and talented - like Stacey and Drew. But of course, you can make them improve it, but it takes a little bit of talent. I'm a perfectionist so it's hard for me sometimes to be patient but I've been learning to be more patient to accomplished things".

How would you define yourself? "I'm a very down to earth person and very determined. Once I want something, I'll get it no matter what it takes. Some people might cross that I'm stuck up or spoiled but I'm actually shy and quiet. They might think I'm somebody else. During the first episodes, people thought "Oh, she's so mean to Drew," but really, when I'm in the studio, I'm very strict. I do what I want to do. I want to get the job done. But outside the studio I'm a very normal person".

Who is your role model? "My role model is my mother, actually! I admire how hard-working and determined she is. She came from nothing, from a poor family, and look where she is now (her mom is the President/CEO of one of the top staffing agency for nurses in San Francisco but still finds time to compete as a Pro-Am ballroom dancer). It just proves to me that all the hard work, if you focus on your work, keep going and never give up and you'll be successful in life".

What's the best advice your mom has given you? "She told me to follow my dreams, never give up. Whatever you do, you always strive for the best and just keep working hard, no matter what it takes. No matter how you get frustrated that day, just keep on going and push yourself until you reach your goals".

Was your mom strict to you when you were younger? "My mom has never restricted me with regards to whom to date or not. She's let me do what I want. But she's given me advice. I can have a love life but makes sure my career comes first. At school, she made me do my homework all the time, and then show it to her. I can only go with my friends' house over the weekend. I can only talk on the phone until 9:00 p.m. or I have a bedtime at 9:30, stuff like that".

How are your relationship with your family now that you're quite achieved something at a younger age (she's just 20) How are your siblings? Anybody else in your family is inclined to BD? "No, not at all… my stepsister (my older sister) has been really focused on school. My middle sister is a really good singer and she also wants to be an actress. My real father and my mom got divorced when I was about four. Now I have a stepfather. He's really such a great person and a father to me. I love him like my true father".

Ang Finals ng DANCING WITH THE STARS ay gaganapin sa Huwebes, Pebrero 23, alas-otso ng gabi. Iboto sina Drew at Cheryl. Tumawag sa 1-800-VOTE 405. Maari kayong bumoto ng limang beses at mag-log-on rin sa www.abc.go.com mula alas-otso hanggang 9:30 ng gabi.

Click here for more of Oliver Carnay's recent articles

About OLIVER CARNAY

With more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry OLIVER CARNAY is an accomplished international Fil-Am writer, Publicist, Talent Manager, Project Consultant, Booking Agent, Event Organzer, Photographer, Concert Line-Producer, movie associate producer, and Concert Booking Agent.

Oliver has written for major publications, domestic and international, including Asian Journal Publications (www.asianjournal.com), BALITA MEDIA, INC. ("Balita USA", "Weekend Balita" and "Go4Women Magazine," available online at www.balita.com/ and www.Go4Women.com), ASIAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE'S JOURNAL (circulated in northern and southern part of California), Philippine and other Asian Headline newspaper - circulated in Sacramento, San Francisco and its vicinities) also published in northern and southern parts of California.

In San Diego: FAME Magazine and PHILIPPINES TODAY. In New York / New Jersey he writes an entertainment column for CAROUSEL PINOY ENTERTAINMENT (www.carouselpinoy.com). He is a contributor for BUZZINE Magazine (www.buzzine.com), AUDREY Magazine (www.audreymagazine.com), www.siklab.com, PARA TODOS Magazine, and other L.A. based publications.

He is the Los Angeles correspondent of Global Pinoy Entertainment Corporation (GPEC) which publishes S Magazine (circulated in Manila, all over the United States and Europe) and PINOY GAZETTE (published in Hong Kong and Japan.

He is an active member of the National Press Photography Association (N.P.P.A.), Press Photography Association of Greater Los Angeles (P.P.A.G.L.A.-see www.ppagla.org for member listings), and is under the directory list of the Motion Picture Association of America (M.P.A.A.) covering movie Premieres, junkets, and other major Hollywood events.

Oliver is the Publisher of www.HollywoodFLIP.com, an online entertainment newswire magazine. Always a pioneer in bringing first rate news about Fil-Am talents in Hollywood as well as introducing them to the Filipinos and Fil-Am communities in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

Oliver Carnay is the proprietor of International Artists Production Company established in 1995 where he had produced, directed concerts and stage plays.

Oliver Carnay is in full blast as a Talent Manager and Publicist. He is the proprietor of International Artists PR & Talent Management (www.iatalent.com), a full-service publicity and talent marketing company, which represents a roster of multi-ethnic actors, musicians, directors, writers, and other celebrated artists in Hollywood. Oliver Carnay takes pride in being a member of the Talent Managers Association (www.talentmanagers.org). Email at Oliver@iatalent.com

HOME