Dayanara Torres Photos

Actress and model Dayanara Torres arrives at People en Espanol '50 MOST BEAUTIFUL' issue & a special performance by one of 2008's 'mas bellos

' Daddy Yankee at Mansion on May 14, 2008 in New York City.

Dayanara Torres and Amuary Nolasco

Dayanara Torres and Amuary Nolasco

Dayanara Torres and Amuary Nolasco Photo

Dayanara Torres Has Gold In Her Pocket

All photos:  Alan Mercer  Hair & Make-up: Clark Ivor

 Directional Lighting: E. Venturo

The very first time I photographed Dayanara it was pure magic. I can really say I have loved her from the moment I met her. She is everything wonderful a person can be. I've seen her with her children many times and she is the most amazing Mother. I've never seen her be anything but kind to everyone around her.

Along with the new photos I am showcasing some of our past work over the last five years. I consider these photographs of Dayanara among my best work with anyone.

Hair & Make-up: Clark Ivor  Directional Lighting: E. Venturo

The life of Dayanara Torres reads like a modern-day fairy tale . . . From her modest upbringing in Puerto Rico; to being discovered on the streets of her hometown; becoming Miss Universe at the tender age of 18 and, soon-after, a movie star in the Philippines and Puerto Rico, marrying and divorcing, raising two beautiful sons and bravely striving to rebuild her career . . . while Dayanara's story is what dreams, or novelas, are made of it is very much her reality, one that she manages with her signature grace, dignity, beauty and style.

Dayanara Torres Delgado was born in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico into a poor, very loving and close-knit family. As a child, expression and creativity were important aspects of her playtime. She would enjoy acting out roles such as being a model or a queen. Dancing, swimming and horseback riding were other favorite pastimes, which she continues to cultivate today.

From a very early age, Dayanara garnered honors and merits for good conduct in school. She concluded her 12th grade studies in "El Colegio Santa Rosa" in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, intending to one day attend college and become an orthodontist. But life would take her in a different and exciting direction.

At the age of 17, during her senior year in high school, she was walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta when she was approached to take part in the Miss Puerto Rico pageant as a representative of her town.

Dayanara still recalls being incredibly surprised as she never saw herself as a beauty queen . . . not for her home town of Toa Alta and even less as a representative of Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe pageant competing with 78 women from all over the world. It was all too wonderful to dare dream it would come true. Yet it did come true, and in Mexico City on May 21st, 1993, Dayanara became the youngest woman ever to be chosen to be Miss Universe.

On the island of Puerto Rico, she became a national treasure, and a parade was held in her honor. Since her reign she has graced the covers of myriads of international magazines (Cosmopolitan, Vanidades, Caras, Imagen, Asian Bride, and Marie Claire, among many others) and has endorsed many products taking part in TV and print advertisements (Diet Coke, Pantene, Vidal Sassoon, RayBan, Banco Popular, Advil, her own doll and line of shoes, among others).

This photo was used by Clairol

Her humanitarian work during her reign focused on disadvantaged and poverty-stricken children throughout the world. She became an international ambassador for UNICEF, traveling throughout Latin America and Asia in support of the organization's projects, during and after her reign. In 1995 she endowed the Dayanara Torres Foundation which provided aid and scholarships to destitute families in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. In most recent years she has served on the board of, and made contributions to, the Children's Hope Foundation, for children and mothers affected by AIDS and Fundación Sonrisa which helps children with facial deformities in Puerto Rico.

Once her year as Miss Universe was completed, Dayanara traveled to Manila to pass on the crown to the next pageant queen. She even sang a duet during the pageant with Peabo Bryson, called "A Whole New World". Little did she know that night that her own life would, once again, take an exciting turn and that she would be living in a whole new world herself.

During her visit to the Philippines, Dayanara became so well-loved that she was offered the opportunity to host two television shows and star in movies. She made the decision to stay, and her short stay was extended to 4 years. In those four years she became a major movie star and the "It" girl in the country.

She starred in 13 movies in the Philippines and Puerto Rico including "Linda Sara" (1994) co-starring with singer/actor Chayanne and directed by Oscar nominee Jacobo Morales. She was the host of the highly rated live variety show "ASAP" which is broadcast throughout all of Asia. And, as host of another show, "Eazy Dancing", became known as "The Dancing Queen of the Philippines". The country's Press Club honored her with the Best New TV Personality Award in 1995.

She returned to Puerto Rico in 1998, during the promotion of her album "Antifaz", which reached the top of the Billboard Dance charts throughout Latin America and the Philippines. In the Island, she also starred in the theater productions of Cinderella (as Cinderella in 1998) and Peter Pan (as Tinkerbell in 1999).

In honor of her beauty and talent, the Dayanara doll was launched in 1998, complete with a crown, and outfits of a singer, dancer, and model. The doll was immediately sold out in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

On May 10, 2000, Dayanara wed Salsa/Pop Star Marc Anthony, and made the decision to dedicate herself to her new role as wife and mother. The couple has two children together, Cristian Anthony and Ryan Anthony.

Directional Lighting: E. Venturo

As this is a fairy tale with modern-day twists. . . Dayanara and her husband divorced in 2004, and the heroine of our story is now building her career as an actress, spokesperson and model while caring for her two little princes with the help of her family.

A whirlwind of projects are always in the works in the areas of acting, modeling, endorsements, commercials, production, and even product development. Dayanara is once again looking forward to a whole new world ahead of her.

Dayanara and I were brought together for the eighth time to shoot her new photos for the 'Asma en Español' campaign. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, along with MERCK, provide information to educate Latin Americans about this health problem. It is 'a perfect fit' as Dayanara herself says in the interview.

AM: Dayanara how did you get involved in the Asthma Foundation?

DT: I have actually had asthma since I was a little girl. I was in the hospital every few months until I was at least five years old. I was probably hospitalized seven times. My kids have it too, one more than the other.

AM: So you really know what you are talking about from personal experience.

DT: It is a perfect fit. I know what it is and how people suffer from it. I know how you can't go outside and play sports. I was never that strong as a child and was never able to do those things. Because of having my kids go through it and help them out definitely makes this a cause that is very dear to me.

AM: You are always involved in charities and causes. Is this something you always wanted to do?

DT: I just think that I've been so blessed in my life with everything that has happened. After having kids my whole life has changed in a different direction. Things have a different meaning now. Just having two healthy boys is such a gift. Pretty much all the charities I am involved with have to do with kids like the March of Dimes. It's important to give back. Many times I get asked if my kids were premature or something but I say I'm here because I'm thankful. Basically my kids, thank God, didn't suffer from any of that. I think I am just thankful and I want to do something good.

AM: It seems to be the natural course for someone who as been a Miss Universe don't you think?

DT: From the very beginning I did work with a lot of charities. I started with UNICEF and then I created my own foundation called The Dayanara Foundation in the Philippines. I just knew I wanted to do something. From the very beginning I have been very blessed in my life and I think it's important to give back.

AM: Does this fulfill you?

DT: Absolutely. One day I went to my friends house, who has a niece, who has down syndrome. Just knowing that I could go to her house and bring my crown and it made her so happy. That made my day! She said, "Thank you for coming." I said, "No, thank you for letting me do that." To me, it fills me with joy, to do things like that.

AM: I know you have been doing a bit of acting recently. Have you been filming outside of LA?

DT: I filmed the television show called 'Watch Over Me' for three months in San Diego. The last movie I did was in Philadelphia.

AM: Has it been released?

DT: It did come out. It's called 'The Nail.'

AM: Is it out on DVD?

DT: Yes and it is still showing on Showtime.

AM: Did you enjoy making it?

DT: I did because it was very different. When I was filming the show in San Diego the character was very much like me. I was a student looking for love. In 'The Nail' I was a battered wife. My husband beat me and my child up. It was hard but it was different.

AM: Were you de-glamorized?

Lighting: E. Venturo

DT: I had no make-up on at all plus they added bruises to my face and arms. It was hectic and the scenes were strong. Some of the fighting scenes were pretty tough.

AM: Did you enjoy making it?

DT: I did. It was a challenge and something different. I definitely enjoyed doing that.

AM: Would you like to make more heavy dramas?

DT: I like drama. Yes I would like to make more because I enjoyed it.

AM: Does working on a dramatic film help you process some of your personal life?

DT: Sometimes it's hard because you are working so hard to get out of certain stages or things that have happened in your life. Say you have tried real hard to let go of certain things then you have to go back and film it. So I think if anything my life experience has been like 'gold in my pocket.' That's what I call it. I have it there and when I need it I use it.

AM: By the way how is your sister?

DT: My sister is doing great. She is back in Miami working and she had another baby, a boy named Santiago. She's doing great. She still works for the magazine 'People En Espanol.' She has a column about being a parent. She also does 'Despierta America' where she is the psychologist on the set. Now she's doing a campaign for 'Huggies.' She is traveling all over the states. 'Huggies' made these cute little diapers that are jean colored so the kids look like they have jeans on so they don't have to wear any extra clothes. Babies love that. She is very happy!

AM: You've been living in Los Angeles for five years now. Is it home now?

DT: It is definitely home now. The boys are happy and love the school they are in. They are doing all kinds of sports from golf to baseball and soccer. Because we are in Los Angeles they are both involved in music. They each have their own bands and they play in big venues. It's great, we are very happy here. This is home.

AM: It's such a joy to see you and work with you anytime Dayanara.

DT: Thank you very much. It's my pleasure.

To learn more about Dayanara Torres checkout her web site http://www.dayanara.net/

To learn more about the Ashtma Foundation checkout http://asmaenespanol.com/

Aga Muhlach-Sharon Cuneta movie

Aga Muhlach's second movie with Sharon Cuneta is in the planning stage right now. Aga would also be willing to another movie with Lea Salonga, who has asked Aga to join her for a song on her 30 year anniversary concert.

With the sitcom That's My Doc, the box-office hit When Love Begins, and a new endorsement deal with Sun Cellular tucked under his belt, premier actor Aga Muhlach feels really blessed these days.



At the Sun Cellular press luncheon held yesterday, May 9, at the Bar One of Holiday Inn Galleria Manila in Pasig City, Aga said he is happy and proud to be part of the Sun Cellular family.



"Sun [Cellular] is a new player, there's room for growth and improvement, so I want to be a part of that. It's a new leaf, bagong pahina sa buhay ko 'to."



And speaking of new things in his life, more projects are lined up for the talented 38-year-old actor, including a Star Cinema movie with the Megastar Sharon Cuneta in 2009.



"There's a script already," Aga said. "They pitched it to Sharon before she left for London and when Sharon was in London they pitched it to me. We're going to meet with Sharon in two weeks time and we're going to discuss about the story and we're going to see how it goes."



Sharon just returned from shooting Caregiver in London, her new movie with Star Cinema after four years.



"Medyo mahirap kasi ‘yong pelikula," Aga said about his planned movie with Sharon. "Unang-una, we're going to be working abroad again, a different country, and it's hard to work ‘pag nasa ibang bansa ka talaga, nakakapagod."



When pressed for more details about the movie. Aga just said, smiling, "Basta 'yon lang muna. You'll find out naman."



There are also rumors that Aga will guest at international star Lea Salonga's 30th anniversary concert billed Lea, My Life... On Stage! on May 23 and 24 at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall.



"Well, I'd love to do that. But Lea Salonga singing, an orchestra... What am I going to do there? Magpapatawa na lang ako doon!" Aga says with a laugh. "Pero kung magge-guest talaga ako doon, then I will insist that I sing, di ba? I'll sing one song, a duet with her. ‘Pag pumatong na ‘yong boses ni Lea sa akin, believe me, ang ganda ng boses ko!"



Aga and Lea starred in the 1992 romantic movie Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal and Sana Maulit Muli in 1995.



Will there be a follow-up anytime soon? "I'd love to do another movie with Lea, of course. Because I spoke with the husband [Robert Chien], parang sabi niya, ‘Lea can only do a movie if it's with you.'"



This was confirmed by Lea herself at the presscon of her anniversary concert last May 7. "Only if with Aga," she quipped when asked if she's going to do another movie. PEP

Sexy Filipina Anne Curtis' Bikini

Aga Muhlach is happy for box-office success of "When Love Begins" in which he costars with Anne Curtis.

Official Trailer: When Love Begins
Now Showing at all SM Theatres Nationwide!
US Showing Schedule of When Love Begins
May 9-15 - San Diego and Las Vegas
May 16-22 - Los Angeles
May 23-29 - Seattle

Canada Showing Schedule of When Love Begins
May 16 to 22 - Scarborough - Scarborough Town Center - Coliseum
May 23 to 29 - Mississauga - Square 1 - Empire
May 30 to June 1 - Montreal - Fortune Cinema Cote-des-Neiges
JUNE 6 to 19 - Winnipeg Garden City - Coliseum
JUNE 28 to 29 - Ottawa - Mayfair Theater


Aga Muhlach thanks the moviegoers who watched his movie with Anne Curtis. "I hope they really enjoyed the movie," he says.

"Of course, masaya," ngiti ni Aga. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nanonood. I hope they really enjoyed the movie."

"Wow, salamat!" nagulat na reaksyon ni Aga.

Tatlong pelikula ang sabay-sabay na ipinalabas kahapon, April 30: When Love Begins, ang Hollywood movie na Iron Man, at ang pelikula ni Judy Ann Santos na Ploning. Ayon sa report ng Star Cinema, ang When Love Begins daw ang pinakamalakas sa mga sinehan dahil naka-P10 million daw ito on its opening day.

"It's a long weekend. They [moviegoers] have enough time to watch both movies. So, sana suportahan nila parehas ng mga Pinoy ang movie namin [ni Juday] because we're up against an international movie also, di ba?" pahayag ni Aga.

Natuwa rin si Aga nang malaman niya na tinalo raw ang box-receipts dito sa Metro Manila ng When Love Begins sa mga sinehan sa probinsya, kung saan showing din ang pelikula nila ni Anne.

"I really don't know what to say," sabi ni Aga. "The only thing I can say siguro is sana people will continue to support our movie."

Dayanara Torres: People's Los 50 Mas Bellos 2008

Dayanara Torres, ex-girlfriend of Aga Muhlach and honorary Pinay who 'misses the Philippines a lot' and who still runs her charity in the Philippines dedicated to giving back to the poor, is in the list of the highly coveted People En Español's Los 50 Mas Bellos Issue (50 Most Beautiful People) of 2008. Full photo gallery after the jump.


NATURAL BEAUTY:
Dayanara Torres doesn’t need makeup to look beautiful. The former Miss Universe’s gorgeous features left everyone speechless backstage. Her 7-year-old son Cristian accompanied his mom to the shoot, and even gave suggestions about which dress she should wear.

Aga Muhlach Sexy Shirtless

Aga Muhlach raring to go back to wakeboarding after being sidelined for muscle injury.

"Wakeboarding is a fun sport, but don't take it lightly because it's also a dangerous sport. Ako nga, ang dami kong injuries sa likod," reveals Aga Muhlach about the latest watersport he is into. PEP

Aga Muhlach Shirtless Pic

Aga Muhlach says kissing and love scenes are not the selling point of "When Love Begins".
Download FREE Shirtless Aga Muhlach Desktop Wallpaper
2 more Shirtless Aga Muhlach wallpapers after the jump.

"Parang may nabasa ako na tipong ‘yung laplapan nila.' I mean, the movie is very beautiful, yun ang selling point and not the, you know, insert link kissing scenes, love scene..."PEP

Download FREE Aga Muhlach Shirtless Desktop Wallpapers!

Filipino Television Stars

Filipino Television Stars: Pinoys and Honorary Pinoys

This is a video we made a few years ago to honor Pinoys and Pinoy celebrities and in my personal journey to just make Pinoys feel good and proud about being Filipino and feel good about the Philippines, I made it but it used to make me tear up just watching it, tear up out of pride and joy in being Filipino, and all the stars in it are still pretty current and popular, the only curent popular star not in this video is Marian Rivera, and we got a lot of positive response from it, so thought we'd post it to share it with everyone again, and make another one in the meantime. If you remember visiting a page called "Sexy Pinoy: The Sexiest Filipino Celebrities in the World" or "Ilustrado Network" a few years ago, we're the same people with the same goal of bringing you high quality Filipino-oriented content with substance and meaning. The song is Awitin Mo (At Isasayaw Ko) by VST and Co. (written and produced by J@ey de Leon and Vic Sotto, lead singers of the hit 70s band). Also includes celebrities I've christened as "honorary Pinoys" for their support to the Filipino community, which are Thalia, Gabriela Spanic, Segundo Cernandas, Fernando Carrillo, and of course, our beloved "Yari" Ms. Dayanara Torres. Enjoy, Mabuhay!

Aga Muhlach Shirtless Pics

Aga Muhlach is on the cover of the January 2008 issue of Men's Health, and this is the woman who Aga Muhlach was insane to ever have broken up with - Dayanara Torres. I'll be honest, I don't like Charlene Gonzalez, not that she's not pretty or a good person, but she's just too plain as far as her personality is concerned. She doesn't have charisma. But Dayanara? Well, you and millions of other Filipinos already know the answer to that. To those negative-thinking Pinoys who say that the only reason Dayanara Torres became popular in the Philippines is because of her being a foreigner and for her Caucasian looks, that is ridiculous, because looks can only take you so far in the business, but if Dayanara didn't have the acting talent and charisma and a good heart behind her, the people wouldn't have responded to her in such a manner. Also, just watch her movie, Basta't Kasama Kita with Aga Muhlach, and her acting is fantastic, and that was such a great movie, and she always talks about the Philippines in her interviews with the Spanish language media. Always. Enrique Iglesias' mother is Filipina, but he hardly ever talks about the Philippines, EVER, to the Spanish media, but Dayanara does, she's a truer Pinoy than those two shameful kids, and she doesn't even have Pinoy blood, but she's proud to have worked in the Philippines, and she even started her own charity to give back to the poor in the Philippines, and for that, I love her. Actually, Enrique does talk about it, but only sometimes, but hardly ever.
Oil Painting by Mamerto Evanglista

This is just a lesson to all the parents out there, pride in the Philippines is not something that a person of Filipino descent will automatically grow up with, you have to instill it in them and teach your children to be proud of who they are, and that especially includes, their cultural heritage. If you don't, they end up like Tia Carrere, and thousands of other closet Filipinos growing up in the US, UK, Australia (especially Australia), or wherever out there who are such insecure persons that they have to hide a part of who they are just to try to find acceptance in the world. And you know, people like that will never be happy. Sam Milby, even though he's a nice guy, he is annoying sometimes with all his pretentiousness and he's a horrible actor (yes I watched those baduy movies he did with Bea Alonzo and Toni Gonzaga and I was horribly disappointed and annoyed from all of the bad acting he did that ruined the movies, and I'm not just throwing rocks at glass houses because I grew up in theatre and musical theatre, so I know the difference between good acting and bad acting, and he's a horrible actor, he needs lots of work and training, hehe, however, Bea and Toni are great actresses and are really talented) and he's such a closet case as far other things are concerned, but at least he's proud of being a Filipino.

Dayanara you rock our world.Men's Health magazine opens the year with a big splash as wakeboarding enthusiast Aga Muhlach shares the benefits of staying fit and living right. The former matinee idol talks about the motivation that drove him to succeed in losing 60 pounds: finding something to be passionate about. With that, he took the plunge by getting hooked on the activity that he loved the most—water sports.

Aga, a longtime jetski racer, discovered that passion in the form of wakeboarding. "Any water sport para sa akin is nice. The fact that you go out of town, you leave Manila, that's the best. You're out of this ciudad; out of all this chaos. It's always a date para sa akin when we go out of town: me, my wife, and the kids."

Before, Aga used to weigh 220 pounds because of his year-and-a-half vacation from showbiz work. His much-deserved rest from the business became a liability as he stopped working out and gained unwanted weight. The insecurities he felt affected his social life as he turned down invitation after invitation to dinner parties from friends and the like. To put it simply, he didn't want to be seen.

But all of that is now a thing of the past because the once 220 pound heartthrob is now tipping the scales at 160. The former Bagets star is once again in top form, all of that thanks to a healthy diet, discipline, and wakeboarding.

As Aga would say, "Exercising is really important. You should make it a part of your life already until the day you die. It keeps you young; it gives you that feeling of security. Kahit piso lang ang pera mo but if you feel good and you know you look good, then you're on top of the world."

Like Aga, you can enjoy the world of wakeboarding by following these simple steps to avoid kissing the water bubbles: One, sit still; two, sit comfortably; three, let it happen; and four, grip it. To experience it firsthand, visit the top wakeboarding hotspots the country has to offer: Lago de Oro in Batangas and Camsur Watersports Comples in Camarines Sur.

Grab yourself a copy of "Men's Health" to check out more ways to become a fitter and stronger you. After all, summer is fast approaching and washboard abs leave more than a lasting impression. - Elyas Isabelo Salanga, PEP

Download free, custom made Aga Muhlach Desktop Wallpapers!

Best of Filipino Art
By Mamerto Evangelista:

Sexy Filipina Girls

Bianca King in bikini at Boracay.
Angelica Pangilinan and Claudine Barreto being cariñosa.
Dayanara Torres in L.A. at movie premiere.
Gerald Anderson and some random guy.
Bianca King serving drinks.