Rima Ostwani

Backroom, Inc., Boy Abunda’s talent agency, is getting bigger and bigger. Just recently it signed up six new talents, among them Rima Ostwani (the pretty and talented Syrian-Spanish-German girlfriend of Diether Ocampo), who has joined Ai Ai delas Alas, Erik Santos, Gretchen Barretto, Rufa Mae Quinto, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzales, and other artists under the wings of the King of Talk Show.

She may have gained popularity when she became Diet’s girlfriend, but Rima is more than that. She was a personal shopper at a premiere lifestyle hub, and she speaks four languages: English, Spanish, French and Arabic. She actually grew up in Lebanon, spending at least 10 years of her childhood there. She came to the Philippines when she reached high school.

Rima said she was schooled formally in Arabic and French. “We speak English at home, while I learned Spanish informally from my mom.”

When she first met Diet, it was the fact that he has a foundation for kids that impressed Rima. “I realized that he wasn’t just an actor. He had me when he said he has this social cause.” She loves kids, she said, that’s why the magic words “children’s foundation” made her fall in love with him. They’ve been dating for over a year now.

She may have joined show business, but Rima’s interest is in hosting. “I want to host lifestyle shows since I have a background in retail. I love talking. In fact, I was in the debate team in high school and I was also a member of the student council. I can discuss anything, everything under the sun. I can gel with any group. To me everybody deserves to be spoken with.”

She would like to be a commercial mo-del too (she has done modeling stints during her high school and college while being busy with extracurricular activities that included writing for their high school paper and conducting lectures on leadership and even teaching French).

Five other new Backroom artists

In addition to Rima, Backroom is also introducing Bianca Roque, K-La, Bonjovi Osorio, Neil Fereira II and Richard Reyes, who are all determined to make it big in local showbiz.

Bianca is a familiar face on TV because of her stint as MYX VJ. She has also done endorsement jobs for famous brands like Coca-Cola, Modess, McDonald’s, Penshoppe, Skechers, 101 New York and Tomato. A former flight stewardess, she said being a VJ is fun.

K-La’s love affair with music began when she was only three years old. Born and raised in Canada, she said “I love entertaining people and being the center of attention.” She was discovered through the David Foster Star Search and has even performed with Foster himself.

Bonjovi was named after her dad’s favorite American band. He aspires to be in the same league as his idol John Lloyd Cruz and dreams to be paired with hot and sultry Angel Locsin. He grew up in the US but he came over in 2007 after an uncle’s death.

Neil could be the next big thing in the action scene, thanks to his rigorous workout routine in Brazilian jujitsu. He is currently a blue belter in the martial art. “I want to be an action star.”

Neil is a Consular and Diplomatic Affairs graduate.

Richard was a “StarStruck” fina-list and is now more determined than ever to enter show business. A jack-of-all-trades, he said “gusto kong lumabas sa TV.” He can sing, dance, host and act. He has appeared in TV commercials (Cherifer PGM and Yin Yang Cooling Tea) and he once starred in a school play entitled “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

For more information about these talents, e-mail inquiries to backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on May 30 go to Rep. Bingbong Crisologo, Ricky Davao, Glenda Barretto, Rene Austria, Ampy Perez, Roxanne Lapus, Dr. Jofe Syquia, Narciso Talampas Jr., Marilen I. Cojuangco, Jose Lim, Ferdie Villar, Midz Reyes, Marlene dela Pena, Jacqueline Sagmit, Monina S. Capili, Ronalisa Cheng, Pocholo Malillin of Club Mwah, Leslie Lomeda, Mary Grace V. Macahindog, Rihanna Sofia Lazatin Tabor, and MB’s Chito Chavez and Maria Teresa Gerilla-Martinez.