Dolores Tropicana Resort’s 10th Bikini Open, a visual delight

The Bikini Open 2009 Night last weekend was one of the better-produced shows from Dolores Tropicana Resort which I have witnessed.   Again directed by Al-Nehzar Ali with a theme invoking images of the Orient, the whole thing was a visual delight.

The program was also a paean of sorts to Bikini Open’s legacy since it is now on it’s 10th year having started in 1999 when Bariles was still Marketing Officer of  Nation Broadcasting Corporation’s Anna@Rhythms 97.5 FM, its media partner and co-presenter then.  At that time, now VP for Dolores Resorts and Hotels Teresa “Tata” Mondido was still part of RD Hospitality Group’s Marketing Department.

Anyway, a short opening sequence featured a video presentation of the past decades’ Bikini Babes and Hunks which am sure made everyone from the staff of Dolores Hotels feel nostalgic.  What Bariles noticed though was that through the years, the swimsuits of the ladies became more and more conservative.  This could be due to the GAD Code (Gender and Development) being passed and implemented by the city government which prohibits very skimpy attires for candidates of any beauty pageant.

Past winners of the Bikini Open:  Bikini Hunk 2007, Bikini Babe 2008, Bikini Hunk 1st runner-up 2008, Bikini Hunk 2008

This year’s event also heralds Dolores Tropicana Resort’s expansion plans, according to Ms. Tata.  On the pipeline is a two-storey building at the vacant portion of its hotel cottages which will add 30 or more rooms to its existing 35 rooms (all equipped with satellite TV and wi-fi connections).

Sharing jury duties for the 10th Bikini Open along with Bariles were Oliver “Blogie” Robillo, Dr. James Haw and Ms. Jocelyn Enriquez of Emcor, who all had a grand time selecting from the 10 Bikini Babes (most of whom where of the shorter variety this year) and 10 Bikini Hunks (who were much better-bodied than last year’s batch).

Below are some of the shots taken by Bariles Republic resident fotog Marzz, Davao photoblogger Chattee Lara, problogger Lyle Santos, and award-winning fotog Leonard Pe.

The evening opened with the performance of this much-applauded Fire Dancer.

The entry of the 20 finalists with their faces covered by white masks.

Pair #1: Nur Weda Isnirajil & Greggy James Dela Pena

Pair #2: Elcar Jeck Gabutan & Naiza Balindo

Pair #3: Naiza Balindo & Jonathan Ogayre

Pair #4:  Ivy Shane Presbitero & partner

Pair #5:  Emilio Bacalso & Jay Ann Rivera

Pair #6: Jerold Cabanog & Vanessa Yee

Pair #7: Sheena Toribio & Emilio Bacalso

Pair #8: Kristine Jagus & Mubarak Ismael

Pair #9: Jecrist Canape & Je Java

Pair #10: Kenneth Paul Salva & Magnolia Mae Lauron

And now for the major winners, here they are…

From left:  1st runner up Elcar Jeck Gabutan & Vanessa Yee; Bikini Hunk 2009 Greggy James dela Pena & Bikini Babe 2009 Naiza Balindo; 2nd runner Kristine Jagus & Kenneth Paul Salva

Bariles Republic wishes to thank Ms. Tata Mondido for inviting us and the rest of the bloggers from Davao and GenSan. Special thanks to her senior staff which include Ms. Mae Solizar, Mr. Bernard Lauron and waiter Nonoy Padilla.