We’ve been watching Iza Calzado in her own soap “Beauty Queen” on GMA-7 and we now understand what she meant when she said playing the role of Maita San Miguel, a “reluctant beauty queen,” was a big challenge for her. (In the current episodes, Maita is back to her beautiful self, thanks to the villain in her life played by Marvin Agustin who is insanely in love with her and who wants everyone to believe Maita is sick and needs medical care).

Said Iza: “The biggest challenge for me is trying to look the part (of a beauty queen) and emotionally trying to feel the part.” But with Maggie Wilson, a beauty queen in real life, around as co- star, Iza easily fit into the beauty queen tag. Iza is playing her role so well she has earned approval of audiences who have rediscovered their interest in beauty pageants following the success of Venus Raj who finished fourth runner-up in Miss Universe 2010.

It helped Iza that she is being directed in “Beauty Queen” by Joel Lamangan who guided her in winning a major acting award as Maricel Salvacruz in last year’s “Dukot (Desaparacidos).” She has been playing diverse roles in movies as “White House,” “Working Girls,” a comedy-drama, and “Ang Panday,” a fantasy-action.

The daughter of noted choreographer and TV director Lito Calzado, Iza is one of the prized stars of GMA Artist Center. She has gone a long way, earning acclaim via her remarkable performances in such movies as “Sigaw” where she played a battered housewife, and its Jesse Bradford-starrer English version “Echo,” and as Reyna Amihan in the fantaserye “Encantadia.”

Indeed, Iza has developed into a fine actress, scoring a Best Actress trophy in last year’s Enpress Golden Screen Awards and a couple of Best Supporting Actress awards, including one from URIAN. Several years back, Iza was tagged as the “Most Promising Female Actress” by the Guillermo Mendoza Foundation and earned a Breakthrough Performance citation for her role in “Milan” opposite Piolo Pascual.

Iza was recently launched as endorser of Sabella fashion line. She first noticed Sabella clothes on the set of the 2001 soap, ‘Kung Mawawala Ka” and from then on, she knew that this line of classy feminine designs suit her taste perfectly. And to be asked to be Sabella’s endorser is a bonus for the actress.

“I love their clothes and I do wear them. What can be nicer than being formally asked to endorse such a product?’’
Ramon Sabella and Joel Cristobal have steered the retail house to where it is now after two decades.

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‘Boardwalk Empire’ premieres tonight

The biggest HBO Original Series “Boardwalk Empire” will premiere tonight, Jan. 6. The pilot episode of was directed by Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese (of “Raging Bull,” “Shutter Island,” “The Departed,” “Gangs of New York” fame), who also co-produces this series with Emmy Award winning writer Terence Winter.

“Boardwalk Empire” is set on the eve of the Prohibition in the early 1920s in Atlantic City, and chronicles the beginnings of organized crime in the US. If you are a fan of “The Departed” and “The Godfather” trilogy, you will enjoy this show.
 
In the cast are Steve Buscemi as Enoch Thompson, Michael Pitt, Stephen Graham, and Kelly MacDonald.

Tonight, you can catch “Boardwalk Empire’s” two-episode Asian premier at 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO HD. The back-to-back episodes will be shown every Thursday night until Feb. 17.

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Kapamilya stars in young designers show

Kapamilya stars led by Sam Milby took the runway at the recent Metrowear Young Society Designers Show that was the main feature of the Metro Young Society Party held at the Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The actor made use of his fashion sense to promote World Vision.

The show featured nine designers including Hindy Weber-Tantoco who is celebrating his 10 years in the fashion industry. The finale was presented by Rhett Eala who marked his 20th year as a designer. Sam was part of Rhett’s finale segment wearing a casual black suit with a long jacket.

Joining Sam in the show were sisters Megan and Lauren Young. Celebs spotted at the party included Georgina Wilson, Carla Humphries, Raymond Gutierrez, Victor Basa, Cliff Cole and Tim Yap. Performers were Bea Tantoco and The Sauce. Jackie Aquino directed the show.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Jan. 6, go to Sharon Cuneta, fashion designer Cesar Gaupo, Marissa Delgado, Chito Puatu, Nenette de Rivera, Zar Baisas, Imelda Santos, UK-based Emy Nerueza, Melchor Bonoan Jr., Melchor Dee, Lorna Bunagan, Melvin Alvior, Angelica A. Tolentino, Charlie Arcega, Mrs. Vilma Abaya-Dimacuha, Balthazar Velanzuela, actress Star Villareal, and my niece, Adele Marie M. Almontero of Middlesex, England… Belated b-day greetings to Merlyn T. Dizon (Jan. 2)...