Getting jiggy with Iza Calzado, ethereal beauty behind the movie ‘Batanes’

So now you know why we were flying up North. We were supposed to go there with movie actress Iza Calzado for the premiere of her movie ‘Batanes.’ In the film opening in theaters on Dec.5 , Iza stars with good-looking newcomer Roem Bascon and Taiwanese superstar Ken Chu (of the F4 fame). The heart-wrenching drama will either make you cry for a lost love or enthrall you with the cinematography taken mostly in rustic Batanes, with its lush valleys, majestic cliffs and imposing sea.

Iza was first actress I’ve talked to in a long, long time and it helped that she was the epitome of niceness, not to mention beauty. The girl has the most tantalizing almond eyes, a perfect set of teeth and a “real” body which is not shrunken from too much diet . Was glad to sit down with her to ask some slum-book type of questions and she was such a sport to answer. Okay, let’s get jiggy with it .. here goes:

What are the Top 5 places you love?

Iza: Batanes – there’s just so much beauty there – whether you turn right, turn left, look up or look down!

Paris – I went there with my boyfriend in 2006 and it was just so romantic!

Washington, D.C. – because of the cherry blossoms in spring and because this is where my boyfriend’s (Fil-Am) family comes from.

Boracay – this place gives me absolute freedom to dance

Palawan (El Nido and Coron) – the limestones and lagoons are amazing!

P.S. I also love Baguio. I’ve never been to New York and maybe if I go there, Washington D.C. will be removed from the list, haha.

What’s on your Christmas wish list?

Iza: A YSL Muse bag. It’s been on my wish list for two years now. I was about to buy it for my birthday but I had to stop and do something better with the money.

an IWC chronograph watch

the new Camry

A house. Am looking for a place and am saving up all the money so I can buy my own

Your favorite scents?

Iza: White Tea & Ginger by Bath & Body Works

Dreams by Anna Sui

A “secret” one I won’t tell

Who are the fashion designers you go to?

Iza: Lyle Ibanez does simple stuff that fits well

Arlene Sipat of Salsa Trends

I wear a lot of Rajo’s, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Dennis Lustico and Pepsi Herrera

Sadly, wala pa rin akong Inno Sotto

What’s your favorite food and restaurants?

Iza, a pesco vegetarian who hasn’t eaten chicken, pork or beef in four years, manages to tick off a long list. ” Pag food ang pinag-usapan, forever and ever ko nang sasagutin yan,” the confessed foodie states. Here are her choices:

Uno in Quezon City – their menu changes every month and their bread is always baked fresh

People’s Palace in Greenbelt – for their suman and shrimp pomelo salad

the baked oysters at Lolo dad’s

The salad in Sonya’s Garden

Mango Cake at Cuerva

Hizon’s Ensaymada – pinaglihi ako dito!

Carrot cake at Dome

Sonja’s Cupcakes

The flourless chocolate cake and donuts in the bakeshop of Shang-ri La Makati

Nanohana in Salcedo Village for their Japanese food

How do you take off the calories?

Iza: When am in the mood, I cut back on sugar and the carbo. I eat only frozen yoghurt and fruits and go to the gym

Do you cook?

Iza: Sometimes. I had to cook spinach with garlic and pears in Lucy Torres show.

Does being a vegetarian help you lose weight?

Iza: That was my intention at first. But I realized I cut back on the meat, only to feast on the carbo and the sugar… ugh.

Are you on Facebook?

Iza: Yes

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