IMM
2002, The International Male Model Contest
IMM 2002 was great FUN! The 5th annual International Male Model
Contest took place last Sunday at the Tropicana Showroom, Royal
Cabana Casino, and yielded a new winner, from the USA, sexy-lipped Kenny
Franklyn. The lucky lad got himself $10.000 in prizes besides a
lucrative modeling contract.
The event, orchestrated by local fashion enfant-terrible Ronchi de Cuba attracted
more than 40 good-looking young men from around the world. They came here to
Aruba to be viewed by distinguished model agency scouts. Among famed agencies in
attendance at the event Wilhelmina Model Management from Miami; Next
Model Agency and Request Models hailing from New York,
and Future Men of Milan. Those scouts who continuously scour the
globe for fresh talent hoped to find their next face, capable of hawking everything from
haute couture and perfume to soda pop and dairy products, on the showroom catwalk.
You don’t have to be the competition
winner, says Jury Chairman John Chemali. The mere fact that those
fashion-mavens saw you in action, under the runway light, is sometimes enough to launch as
successful career. After all Cindy Crawford was a mere finalist in the Elite
Model Management's Look of the Year competition in 1983, nevertheless she managed quite
well for herself, Chemali adds. According to Chemali, blue-eyed, square jawed, curly
topped Argentinean Luis Salcedo, was the judges’ favorite
through the entire pre selection process. However, in honor of the third and final round
of competition the contestant showed up on stage in a shining silver parka, a pink boa
wrapped around his neck. That get up, says Chemali cost him the title, though he will
surely be offered some work by one of the hungry-for-flair agencies.
A sprinkle of international press, dressed up
the event. This year again, Ronchi secured the appearance of E! Entertainment Television.
That happening network packed a cameraman and a mike-toting celebrity, world famous
female wrestler Chyna. De Cuba also invited Vibe Magazine,
Fashion T.V., Global Beauties, RCTV and
Venevision to broadcast the glittering evening traditionally emceed by
local media stars Ruben Garcia and Adeline Rojer.
We expect the show to be seen by no less than 600
millions viewers around the world, de Cuba explained, definitely a lucrative
tourist-promotion for the island.
The competition theme “Body Shop”
featured a stage filled with old car parts, dangling bumpers and tires. It set the mood
for a
camera-friendly, colorful event: The young lithe bodies juxtaposed well against bend,
rusted metal and garish garage-yellow.
The audience packing the showroom could appreciate the physical beauty of the contestants
during a few competition rounds. The titled ‘spicy’ bathing suit parade, was
overshadowed by the fully clothed drama which allowed the models self-expression, a chance
to air original style.
Frederci Salomon, from the
island of St.Vincent played the drop-dead ethnic card. His hair combed tightly
and greased, rounded at the back in the style favored by African-American singing stars in
the 50s, his white long robes flowing, he exhibited strong stage charisma. Romeo
Quinones, who won both the Most Photogenic and the Best Body contests,
has a significant runway personae. Blue-eyed, black haired, broad shouldered and tall, I
suspect he had a little work on his chin and cheekbones a la Michael Jackson.
Appearing in the floodlights in a Dick Tracey rain coat and hat he looked a bit eerie,
scary, evoking perhaps some pent up danger. Washboard abs were definitely in! American
Paul Coughlin must have lived in the gym for the last decade.
Rumpled, his shirt buttons undone, wearing an Old Glory pin on his lapel, he touched his
lips, his heart, then sent the frenzied, screaming audience, a kiss. Both Italians,
Christian Zia and Eduardo Constante were also high on
the public list of favorites, as they cleaned up and dressed up very well. I guess
it’s in their blood. Polish Andre Maslowsky had a tussled,
fresh out of bed look about him. Lebanese George Hazim, in an
attractive red tie, was the only properly suited man on stage. Peru had too much
body hair. Poor Argenis Azuaje couldn’t fit his
coat in the tiny Solleil bathing suit designed by Ronchi de Cuba. Woody German model
Eric Dahl did his best, yet couldn’t cut it.
Stiff. Boy, was he stiff.
Between rounds, this year’s IMM edition
featured top notch entertainment. De Cuba invited a young singing group from Santo
Domingo to appear at the event. Boria, was fantastic. Its members sing
and dance, all looking like Bruce Springsteen at the beginning of his career, including
tie-die body shirts and loose bandanas. The public was indeed being deliciously amused. A
group of Cuban iron men acrobats, a troupe of sexy Bulgarian dancers. De Cuba borrowed a
bag of stage tricks from the show promptly checking into the Tropicana Showroom. It was
spectacular.
The annual IMM competition allowed three
Arubans a spot in the limelight. Juvani Richardson, Gregory Nassy
and Jairo Arends looked tremendous. Juvani is always a
high-performing model, at photo shoots and on the catwalk. He is simply very beautiful
inside/out. The already tall and hulking Gregory sported a new look topped by a
significant afro framing his very square, tough jaw. Shadows were dancing on his cheeks,
over the flawless taut skin. Photographers must have had a field day. Jairo, a skinny cute
bamboo shoot with darling curls, showed off irresistible charm. At the appropriate
dramatic moment, all three models appeared elegantly wrapped in expensive minks and
chinchilla fur coats straight out of the moth-balled closets of Ronchi's mom Rina and
Aunt Sara. The Puff Daddy look, bare-chested under mountains of fluff,
was enthusiastically received by the mostly female audience. Wow. Finally, the over the
top, gone out of fashion skins lived a little, if only for one day.
My favorite, El Salvador, Antonio
Cardona, finished among ten finalists, as adorable as the very cool, always
bespectacled winner, Kenny Franklyn.
[courtesy of
Rona Coster]
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The Orchid Society - Sociedad di Orquidia Aruba,
organized a very successful expo this weekend at the University of Aruba, in the
colonial-style patio of the old school. It was more beautiful than words can describe.
Seen here in the picture President Merrill Robles flanked by two active
club members Bela Jiao and Amparo Latham, who
contributed 25 flowering plants to the exposition.
Founded in 1972 the Orchid Society now counts 140 active members.
They share botanical information and cultural description of plants and naturally
cultivate thousands of flowers. The variety of orchids exhibited at the show was immense,
as Aruba's climate is quite suited to the difficult task of growing the finicky
aristocrat. At the beginning of the expo, a handful of local experts visited all plants to
judge the expo winner which was announced Sunday evening, based on size, color and
composition. Members of the society meet a number of time a year, says Robles yet they
pool resources all year long as far as books, fertilizers and new hybrids are concerned.
In honor of the expo, thousands of plants were imported from Taiwan, at cost price. We
decided to expand our circle and make more locals into growers, says Robles who
coordinated the rare shipment. They were sold out within a couple of hours. Note, the
fanciers' shirts: It depicts Brassavola Nodosa, an indigenous Aruban orchid. 
Sergio Gallero the creative motor behind
Aruba’s upcoming Haunted House reports the place will be operational
for two full years. Imagine, a nonstop horror-fest for just Afls 10,- (US$
6) admission, any time during the year. Opening night? Sergio is working
24-a day to meet his deadline, which is naturally Halloween! On Halloween day, the bloody
ribbon will be cut hailing the opening of the island’s second Grand Guignol palace of
horrors, blood and gore. Why second? In the 80s, the American families which used to live
within Lago oil refinery’s colony cleverly transform a derelict cottage into a
Haunted House, each year. Thus some of the island kids are familiar with the concept. The
others are in for a surprise. Don’t worry, says Sergio. All along the horror maze,
emergency exits were cut into the walls allowing the faint of heart an escape route as
their hearts leap into their throats, refusing to come down again. 
Ivan Jansen who is a talented local Jazz musician
welcomed his guests at the foyer of Cas Di Cultura, Friday evening for the launch
of Versatility. In attendance many artists and writers and press personalities,
as well as the Minister of Tourism, Edison Briesen, also given
the honor of baptizing the CD. Myrna Jansen, Ivan’s wife, introduced
the artist. “I am so proud of my husband,” she said, “having accomplished
the recording of three different music CD in a relatively short amount of time.”
Ivan’s previous compilations fit nicely into the classic jazz category. For his
current work Ivan explains, he chose a more artistic discipline, elevating the selection
of pieces to a more progressive level. 
The CD mixes southern Caribbean rhythms with abstract jazz
interpretations, which require a more complex creative process. Many local musicians
collaborated with Ivan on the production in which he plays classic guitar, acoustic guitar
and guitar synthesizer. Among local contributors jack of all trades John Croes,
pianist Johnny Scharbaay and drummer Carlos Bislip.
Versatility is available at Zzaap music, at Arawak Gardens. 
Our giant, diverse neighbor, Venezuela, will be celebrated in music
and food at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree this weekend. The woman who conceived the
promotion is red-haired Idiana Monteverde, a well-connected journalist
who lives in Venezuela and is in charge of the Holiday Inn’s PR in the Latin world.
She is driven and charismatic and managed to sweep the Sales &
Among events planned a Venezuelan cheese & wine tasting, a horse
show – Ilanero style, a typical country-side tradition, a gaita concert, and popular
food selections for breakfast and lunch at the hotel restaurants, besides award-winning
movies and artesania. It is a complete and well-rounded event, says Howard Maduro,
who helped coordinate the promotion. 
Venezuelan TV and print media will be in house to share the
experience and document the events, he reports. Additionally, an official from the motion
picture association will personally host the Film Festival, with seven excellent
productions. Monique & Jennifer from banqueting have
been working hard to make Festival Venezuela a success. How can you participate? Drop in
for breakfast and enjoy arepas at the Boardwalk, or join a theme night on the beach to
discover the Tambor players.
Arthur Solomon hosted a lively cocktail reception
at Jamaica Me Krazy this weekend. It was good news he was spreading,
Danny Wilson, proprietor, Jamaica me Krazy dazzled party-goers with
native specialties, tasty and diverse island dishes to feed
On Fergusonstraat a new gym, Joe’s Fitness Center
at the Dakota Shopping Paradise. Joe is a professional fitness instructor and he
offers Tae-Bo, Aerobics, Spinning and Step combinations, in short whatever the
current fat-burning craze is in weight control and toning with one exception, his Friday
evening Fitness Happy Hour consisting of a salsa and merenge workout. So
much fun! No, you don’t have to know the moves, there are no practiced patterns or
commands, you just have to be able to swing your backside and loosen up a bit as Joe
incorporates mambo and rock, into Latin dances. The class starts slow and ends up with
wild Carnival jumps, guaranteed to improve anyone’s condition. Bring a towel, you're
gonna sweat your worries and stress away. It’s the most fun you will find on the
island for just Afls 10.
