Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star MANILA, Philippines — No matter what they do, the members of the pop girl group Viva Hot Babes will always be associated with their sensual appeal and sexy image.
Some of them tried to distance themselves from that image, especially those who entered public service, but as time passed, they simply learned to accept and embrace it.
“Actually, I tried na malayo from the sexy image because getting into public service medyo kailangan mong mawala ng kunti dun sa image na yun para hindi ka rin ma-bash ng constituents mo,” began Jaycee Parker during a presscon for their upcoming concert, “Bulaklak Viva Hot Babes Reunion Concert.” She is currently serving as a councilor in Angeles City, Pampanga.
“But kahit anong gawin ko ganun pa rin. They know that I’m part of the Viva Hot Babes. Before, I tried to distance myself from that image. But now, I’ve learned to accept it and ginagamit ko siyang talaga na dati akong Viva Hot Babes, that’s why they remember me. So instead of staying away from that image, I’ve decided to accept it and embrace it.”
Actress and former beauty queen Andrea del Rosario shared a similar experience when she was elected vice mayor of Calatagan, Batangas, in 2016.
“There was a time na especially nung nakaupo ako wherein I tried my very best to remove the stigma of being a sexy symbol,” she recalled. “So talagang I worked hard for it. I turned down a lot of shows and movies ‘cause I owed it to my constituents to somehow mabigyan ng respeto yung position at that time. So that was my path and I tried to stay on that path. As a matter of fact, the last movie I did, medyo nag-iinarte ako kasi medyo, ako yun. It was my fault.”
But over time, she realized that sensuality was something innate to her. “That’s why I think that’s something that we should embrace and not feel that’s something bad. And yeah, it’s either you have it or you don’t. And I think the Hot Babes have that, innately, that sensuality. For this show, we’re embracing it and embracing it confidently.”
“Siguro po nakatatak na talaga yung Hot Babes sa aming kaluluwa. Haha!” actress Katya Santos remarked. “Even if we take on mother, tita roles, lagi pa ring nandun yung sexy tita, sexy mommy, ganun. There’s always this connection to being a Hot Babe. I think it will never be gone.”
She doesn’t mind being labeled as such. Instead, she takes it in stride and embraces it. “I think it’s a compliment for us because it means that we still maintain our looks. And I’m still thankful for that.”
Sheree, on the other hand, admitted that she is hesitant to take on mother roles in acting projects. “Pag sinabi ng handler ko, ‘Girl, are you ready to be a mom?’ Iniisip ko parang hindi ko pa kayang maging mommy because I feel that I haven’t found my forever yet. So I feel that I want to stay being a Hot Babe for now.
“But lately, parang naisip ko na parang, ‘Why not?’ Pero namimili pa rin ako. Wag naman yung ka-edad ko na tapos magiging nanay ako. But yes, we’re accepting it right now,” she said, adding that she still hopes to find her prince charming.
“Actually, I don’t think that sensuality can ever really be separated from us dahil tumatak sa tao. That’s how people see us,” added Gwen Garci.
Gwen said she’s open to exploring mother roles, although some people feel that she does not quite fit those roles just yet. “They are finding roles for us that would fit us like being an ate or tita. But for me, I’m OK with mother roles. Pero para sa kanila, hindi daw talaga bagay sa akin. They tell me to wait a few more years before I’m given a mother role.”
For Jennifer Lee, it “depends on whose perspective” when it comes to being part of a sexy group. “But the sexy image was just a part of it. There’s actually more. We are also known as a pop group who are loved by kids, mommies and grandmothers.”
“I don’t think it ever left. Haha!” declared Maui Taylor, adding that she often plays sexy kontrabida roles in her acting projects.
“I was even begging to be given mom role but hindi talaga. Even Boss Vic (del Rosario) told me, ‘Hindi ka pwede.’ So the sexy genre is still there but it’s more on the kontrabida side. Hindi na yung katulad nung pa-sexy like before. Kumbaga sexy na lang sa damit, ganun lang.”
Maui also stated that there is no need to compare them with fellow girl group SexBomb Girls, who recently held their own reunion concert. She likewise shared that one of the reasons they decided to stage their own reunion show was that they were inspired by the SexBomb Girls.
“They are actually good friends of everyone. So when they found out that we were having this reunion concert, they already sent a congratulatory message to the group.”
Acknowledging that comparisons will always be inevitable, Maui stressed that their ‘Bulaklak’ concert will offer something different from the SexBomb show. “We want to showcase the celebration of the 23 years of friendship and this is not just an ordinary concert. It’s going to be an experience for everyone. Ipaparamdam namin sa lahat na ito yung Viva Hot Babes.
“This is what we’ve gone through after all these years. This is what we’ve achieved. These are the years of friendship. And everyone’s gonna feel that all throughout the concert.”
Directed by GB Sampedro, the ‘Bulaklak Viva Hot Babes Reunion Concert’ will take place on Oct. 23 at the New Frontier Theater.
