Scenes From Star Magic's "Slay x Hot Summer" Launch

Wondering how to slay this year’s summer?  

The enthusiastic and energizing crowd got exciting ideas on how to enjoy and confidently own one’s summer from their favorite Star Magic artists during the recent “Slay the Hot Summer” event at the Resorts World Manila. 

As part of its 30th anniversary, Star Magic romped up the level of fun and hotness with the back-to-back launch of its digital video magazine, Slay, and the newest travel reality show Hot Summer in Baler.  

Those who joined celebrated the first Slay cover girl, Alexa Ilacad, and Star Magic artists Maris Racal, Jane Oineza, Maureen Wrob, Zach Guerrero, Michelle Vito, Karina Bautista, Alora Sasam, Eian Rances, Brent Manalo, Elmo Magalona, KD Estrada, and Andrea Brillantes, who are all still reeling from the memorable summer they spent out of town as a group.

The first episode of this summer treat premiered last May 1 on ABS-CBN Entertainment and Star Magic’s YouTube Channel. Their first stop was the amazing capital city of Aurora province, Baler.

“We wanted to kick off the 30th anniversary of Star Magic with a very mainit activity,” said director and TV production/Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi in the introduction part of “Episode One: Hello Summer.” “It’s very appropriate that we are entering the summer, and we wanted an activity that will bond the Star Magic artists. For Hot Summer, our advocacy is body inclusivity wherein there are different types of sexy now. It doesn’t have to be the curves, you can have the mindset of confidence, of being embracing of everyone.”   

To show off self-confidence and body positivity, each Star Magic artist posed in a fun and sexy-themed photoshoot against the backdrop of the beautiful Baler beach and its pristine nature. Their fans went wild as they got a first sneak peek of the official photos from the shoot during the event. 

Genuine friendship and a strong bond are also the favorite things that the artists take from their trip, as they share memorable moments of kwentuhan and kulitan long after their daily schedules and behind the scenes. They also recalled funny anecdotes during the games and activities that brought out their maximum energy and spirit of friendly competitiveness.   

Hot Summer aims to visit different places in the Philippines for each episode, to jumpstart local tourism after two years of the pandemic. With Baler as just the first stop, the Star Magic artists are excited to share with their fans more beautiful spots and the value of self-love and acceptance through the help of your friends.  

Here, six of the girls of the multi-episode travel reality show share their favorite summer memories, dream destinations, and unforgettable moments from their stay in Baler.

ALORA SASAM

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler?

"'Yung photoshoot. Ako, personally talaga, hindi ko lang pinapakita pero hirap talaga ako. Kumukuha ako ng confidence kay Jane [Oineza] kasi nahihiya talaga ako. Pero iba 'yung pakiramdam na ganito pala 'yung pictorial ng mga artista, and thankful kami na inalagaan talaga 'yung photos."   

What’s your favorite summer memory? 

"Recent lang for my birthday nung March, sa El Nido [Palawan] kasi first time ko lang din dun. Ang saya lang din makalabas ng bahay kasi for two years, pinigilan ko sarili ko kasi takot din talaga ako. Ang ganda lang din talaga ng El Nido, as in bibitawan mo 'yung phone mo." 

What is the next destination on your bucket list? 

"Siargao!" 

JANE OINEZA

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler? 

"Masaya mag-photoshoot doon sa falls, napaka-memorable ng experience for me. But also, it’s the mukbang, that we tried the Baler delicacies like pinakurol, 'yung peanut butter nila with the suman. And the surfing!" 

What’s your favorite summer memory?

"Ang inaabangan ko is the beach talaga eh kasi 'yun 'yung moment na ang init, ang sarap mag-dagat. And siguro this summer, kasi nag-Baler kami with this shoot and nag-extend din ako and I had extra days pa in Baler. Gusto ko 'yung gigising ka then dagat 'yung naririnig mo, 'yung tahimik lang, and 'yung simple things like nag-gri-grill ka sa tabing-dagat."   

What is the next destination on your bucket list? 

"Santorini, and gusto ko mag-Palawan ulit. I’ve been once lang and I really wanna go back kasi grabe 'yung linis, 'yung ganda sa Palawan."  

MARIS RACAL

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler?

"'Yung photoshoot. First time ko rin kasi mag-official photoshoot na naka-bikini. Nagdadalawang-isip pa ako to remove my shorts or my cover-up. As in kinabahan talaga ako, but sina Alora and Jane 'yung pinush talaga ako na 'Kaya mo 'yan!' Meron pa rin kasi akong inhibitions, to be honest, parang natatakot pa rin kasi ako. Instilled pa rin 'yung teachings before na the more skin you show the less respectable you become. But now, with their help, naging confident talaga ako na 'Hindi, ako pa rin 'to.'  I’m still respectable even if I show my skin na naka-bikini ako." 

What’s your favorite summer memory?

"When I went to Siargao for the first time with Ate Bela [Padilla] and Carlo Aquino, pre-pandemic, in 2018."

What is the next destination on your bucket list?

"Cebu, kasi I’ve never been to Cebu ng summertime, it’s always [during] the Sinulog."  

MAUREEN WROB

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler?

"On the last night, we sat with all the artists and we were just talking and bonding. It was really nice." 

What’s your favorite summer memory?

"I would say that my favorite summer memories were back in Saudi when I was growing up there. What we would do is go to the swimming pool around 12 noon, which is actually so harmful to the skin, with my sisters, and we would be there all day."

What is the next destination on your bucket list?

"Italy!"

MICHELLE VITO

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler?

"Meron kaming game, nahati 'yung artists sa dalawang teams, so 'yung bucket kailangang punuin. May shirt kami na suot, and then tatakbo kami sa may beach, may water dun tapos gugulong-gulong kami para mapuno. And ang saya kasi lahat kami dun competitive, walang gustong matalo. S'yempre, kami ['yung group ko] ang nanalo!" 

What’s your favorite summer memory?

"Nung nag-Boracay ako last, last year with my family, kasi lahat kami first time even my dad and mom. Bihira lang kasi mangyari sa amin 'yun, usually kasi kapag nagbi-beach kami sa Luzon lang. First time naming mag-island hopping together. Sobrang nice experience hindi lang dahil sa lugar, of course [it’s] Boracay, [pero] 'yung family kasi 'yung kasama ko." 

What is the next destination on your bucket list?

"Hindi pa kasi ako nakakapunta sa Coron, 'yun talaga 'yung gusto kong puntahan, and also Siargao."

VIVOREE ESCLITO

What is the most fun experience you had in Baler?

"Nakasama ko na 'yung iba before, like nakakasalubong ko na sila sa hallways ng ABS, pero 'yung iba kaka-meet ko lang din. My Baler experience, although I only stayed there for two days and one night, I was able to talk to them and get to know them more. I really think we need more of this." 

What’s your favorite summer memory?

"I think 'yung recent lang kasi I went home nung holy week sa Bohol, and I spent six days with my family there. For the longest time kasi I’ve been wanting to go home to Bohol. I feel like I needed that kind of rest. The last time I was there was two years ago."

What is the next destination on your bucket list? 

"Asia, pero s'yempre gusto kong malibot sana 'yung buong Luzon, it’s like the top one. Siguro ang gusto kong unahin [sa Asia] ay South Korea or Japan."  

With Hot Summer, the ladies of Star Magic wish to inspire their fans to believe in themselves and flaunt what makes them sexy and confident. As they look forward to the show’s next episodes, the star-studded cast assures their fans more fun, friendship goals, and empowering photoshoots in the various beautiful spots in the Philippines. It’s a hot summer redefined, indeed!

Stream Alexa's Slay cover feature and the first episode of “Hot Summer in Baler” on Star Magic official YouTube channel and follow @StarMagicPhils on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on its 30th anniversary. 

Event photos by Pat Buenaobra