Magazine’s sexiest got more votes–30M–than Pres. Aquino

THE SEXIEST Woman in the World, according to the male magazine FHM, is Sam Pinto. ERNIE U. SARMIENTO

The more than 30 million votes cast in this year’s 100 Sexiest Women annual poll of male magazine FHM were double the figures that elected President Benigno Aquino III.

Only 6,500 were lucky enough to gain entry into the exclusive, by-invitation-only victory party and show held Thursday night at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, even as fake tickets were reportedly being sold a few hours before the doors opened.

For a first-time attendee, it felt like reliving one’s high school memories: the joy of watching and admiring the female anatomy—only this time there were thousands of others craning their necks for a good view of the proceedings.

The sponsors of the event—which adopted a “cabaret” theme—cooked up a few gimmicks to arouse male curiosity. A jeans company offered photo opportunities with its scantily clad models. In fact, all the sponsors (beer, skin care, watch, motorcycle and petroleum products) had models in skin-baring outfits offering to pose with anyone interested.

A contraceptive-maker enticed the more daring. A P1,000 fee came with a package: dozens of condoms; a calendar featuring naked models; all the mixed drinks one can gulp; and a closed-door, close-up look at a pretty young thing in a two-piece bikini who simulated the sex act to make-out music. A group of eight guys ogled at her approvingly, but snickered when she stopped short of stripping.

Hyped-up claim

The main event was preceded by a sideshow of models, most of whom sported erotic-fantasy garter belts, who were actually soliciting votes to land them spots in future FHM issues.

It was starting to look like a typical “show” at an upscale KTV bar when, after a lull, an excited voiceover announced, “Here they are … the 100 sexiest women in the world!”

That was, of course, a hyped-up claim—even though the list of winners, aside from boasting a number of prominent Filipino actresses, contained a handful of Koreans and Japanese, all of whom were trying to get their respective breaks in local show biz.

So much skin and buns

Nevertheless, the crowd roared with approval when FHM July cover girl Eula Valdes opened the show with a burlesque act. At age 43, the actress (No. 46 in the Top 100) strutted her stuff with class and elegance, her demeanor resembling a preening cat—or, in today’s parlance, a “cougar.”

The rest of the 100 sexiest followed in quick succession, although not all of them could make it to the party. Some of those who elicited loud cheers were Mercedes Cabral, Daiana Menezes, Regine Angeles, Stef Prescott, Aubrey Miles and Ellen Adarna.

But probably the warmest welcome was given to Katrina Halili (No. 6) who was dressed quite conservatively for someone with her sex-siren image. The actress has apparently bounced back—the smile on her face showed it—from her infamous involvement in a sex video scandal.

When Sam Pinto finally made her grand entrance as the “sexiest woman” hereabouts, many in the crowd had their fill of feasting their eyes on so much skin and buns in one night.