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 heat of summer is officially on; bikini contests are being held left and right in and out of the Metro. And, in doing their part in welcoming the hottest days of the year, the organizers of Hataw Superbodies Bikini Open recently held the formal screening-cum-press-launch of this year’s run of the popular annual competition. Now on its fourth year, Hataw Superbodies Bikini Open keeps up with the tradition of setting the stage sizzling at the night of the actual competition by giving us a visual feast of gorgeous young men and women. The male candidates in this year’s competition are: Jed Rivera, Chad Diaz, Ralph Darell Mateo, AJ Ona, Clark Campbell, Miguel Chico Gitano, Gamac Mendoza, Jimwell Bondoc, Russell Edge Ramos, Justin Royce Dizon, Robin Kelly Ocampo, Paolo Aseniero, Ernest de Lumban, Renz Martin and Melvin Sevilla. Also taking part in the contest but are who did not make it during the press launch are Jaydee Cruz (formerly known as Jimmy Dionisio), Mark Daniel Alarcon (Ginoong San Juan 2009) and Rafael Morales. Hataw Superbodies Bikini Open Year 4 will be held on April 25, 2009 at the Techno Wave Bar, Il Terrazzo,Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The show will be hosted by Richard Pinlac and Janelle Jamer and will be having Maureen Larazzabal, Will Sandejas, Thea Aquino and the Cappuccinos as its guest performers. The pageant is made possible through the efforts of the management of the tabloids Hataw and Remate as well as Kanlaon Records.

The male candidates
Jed Rivera	Chad Diaz	Ralph Darell Mateo
AJ Ona	Clark Campbell	Miguel Chico Gitano
Gamac Mendoza	Jimwell Bondoc	Russell Edge Ramos
Justin Royce Dizon	Robin Kelly Ocampo	Paolo Aseniero
Ernest De Lumban	Renz Martin	Melvin Sevilla

The 12 lovely candidates for the “Miss Virginia Tobacco 2009″. the pageant night will be on March 27, 2009. Be there and enjoy. it is one of the highlights of the  8th tobacco festival ( Candon City Fiesta 2009).