‘Import’ could be here to stay

BOGDANOVA takes a lighthearted approach to her “nasty” role.

Eat Bulaga’s ongoing “AlDub” kalyeserye has discovered a promising new star in Maine Mendoza, but it looks like another “follow-up” find, Russian model Alina Bogdanova, is slowly but surely also finding favor with the show’s viewers.

This is quite an unusual feat that she’s in the process of effecting, because her role is supposed to be a negative one—in fact, she’s been brought in to make life miserable for Maine, since Alden Richards’ Lola Babah has nixed Maine for him, and has insisted that he marry—the Russian interloper!

Despite this clearly kontra bida assignment, some viewers are now doting on Alina, because the model-turned-actress is such a lovely and lissome stunner: She’s really tall at 5’10”, moves like the pro she is as a ramp and photographic model (she’s been working in Asia for three years)—and she can be funny, too!

That last attribute is most pleasantly surprising, because some model types are vacuous, bored and thus insufferably boring.

Alina, on the other hand, has a lighthearted approach to her “nasty” role, knows how to comfortably interact with the much more experienced comedians on the show, and has impressed enough viewers to become more than just a temporary diversion.

Of course, foreigners like her generally don’t end up as durable stars on the local performing scene—but, there have been notable and instructive exceptions to that rule:

In the 1950s, a blonde American charmer, Jean Page, appeared in a number of Filipino movies and was partnered by some local male comedy stars.

For her part, Nikki Ross is a white Russian who has had an even longer career.

Aside from acting in Filipino movies, she was a part of the Wing Duo and the Lemons Three singing groups, known for their beautiful harmony.

Miss Universe

For her part, Dayanara Torres is a Puerto Rican who was crowned Miss Universe in 1993. She became a TV-film star here, and her exceptional stellar sheen and talent (especially as a dancer) made her very popular for around five years.

Her local starrers included “Basta’t Kasama Kita” with Aga Muhlach, “Hataw Na” and “Type Kita, Walang Kokontra.” She also danced a lot on TV, and hosted her own dance program, “Easy Dancing,” which made a vivid impression on viewers.

Later, Dayanara also made it in Hollywood, was married to Latino singing star Marc Anthony for some years, and was in TV drama series like “The Young and the Restless” and “Watch Over Me.”

But she still looks back at the Philippine “chapter” in her life as fulfilling and memorable—and her local fans have really good memories of her!

Thus, it’s entirely possible that, if she plays her career cards right, Alina could similarly parlay her current visibility and popularity on “Eat Bulaga” into a longer stellar stint in the Philippine show business.

It can be a very profitable interlude for her, too, as some of our foreign “imports” have happily discovered! (Other “imports” currently active in local show biz include Daniel Matsunaga, Ryan Bang, Eric Tai (Eruption on “It’s Showtime”), Fabio Ide, Carmen Soo and Priscilla Meirelles.