Here's What We Think of Bea Alonzo's 2022 Tanduay Calendar Photos
In 2019, Bea Alonzo posted a photo of herself in a bikini on her Instagram page with the following message:
“I have always been the type who would choose not to post photos of myself in swimsuits but since I declared this year as the year for CHANGE, I thought that maybe I should change the way I view myself.
“Maybe I should get rid of all my insecurities so I can live more. I want to forget about how I hated myself for being “fat” in other people’s eyes and just remember the things that I love about my body. It’s the only body that I am blessed with and I am thankful for my health because I get to do the things that make me happy.
“I hope that this post could inspire other women to love themselves more, flaws and all. Let’s all work hard to better ourselves for us and not just so others could accept us.”
View this post on Instagram
The actress has come a long way since then. This week, she unveiled her latest endorsement deal: being the calendar girl for local liquor brand Tanduay for 2022.
In her IG post, she seemed ecstatic and much more confident about baring more skin in public.
“The secret is out! I am the TANDUAY CALENDAR GIRL 2022! ?? Woohooo!! ????
Thanks to my Tanduay family for the warm welcome,” she said.
View this post on Instagram
We’re not sure if it’s the choice of the model, or if it’s the general classy nature of this photo shoot, but there’s something different about this particular edition of the age-old tradition of a sexy, girly calendar. Unlike many of these types of things produced (often cheaply) over the years, the photos in this set are provocative but tasteful, revealing but simultaneously playful, with just the barest hint of danger and lust. In short, it straddles the invisible line between what’s considered shameful and vulgar, and what’s sophisticated and something that approaches art.
Certainly Alonzo’s newfound confidence about putting herself out there in swimsuits that leave little to the imagination has something to do with it. Often it feels like the personalities contracted to do these shoots for liquor brands had no choice in the matter. When offered a ridiculous amount of money for an afternoon’s work, how many struggling models and actresses can say no?
But with Alonzo, it feels like she has agency. The money might certainly be a big draw, but the actress’ choice to dip her perfect toes in the world of alcohol-branded sexy calendar shoots seems calculated and well thought-out. Somehow it feels less like we’re ogling her than her daring us to look at her in all her beautiful and sexy glory. Think of it as a feminist take on the antiquated tradition of lad magazines—the woman turning the genre on its head and doing it on her own terms.
Of course, the fact that she’s drop-dead gorgeous in them doesn’t hurt.
Alonzo has undoubtedly earned her place in the pantheon of local showbiz superstars, and while some might think of this a step back for someone of her stature, we’d argue that she’s actually elevating and legitimizing it. And while she may not be the first A-list actress to say yes to a sexy calendar shoot for a liquor brand—Solenn Heussaff, Carla Abellana, KC Concepcion, Marian Rivera, Heart Evangelista, and others came before her—Alonzo’s decision to do it now feels empowering, essential, and right.
But that’s just us. What do you think?
.jpg)