In the Philippines, being a calendar girl is an empowering milestone for any celebrity who wants to own their femininity. It also gives celebrities the opportunity to show their fans a different side of themselves.
However, for Melai Cantiveros, who just celebrated her 37th birthday, being a "calendar girl" was yet another opportunity to showcase her effortless sense of humor. Needless to say, with so many calendar girls over the years, she's arguably the funniest and most playful one to date.
LOOK: Melai Cantiveros' Hilarious 37th "Birthday Bash" Shoot
Stylist Ralph Miral manipulated fabrics to look like dresses for all three layouts of the shoot, which was photographed by Miguel Alomajan. Villalyn Ochavez and Maxene Delos Santos did Melai's wavy hair and sultry-to-drunken red makeup, respectively, which complemented the whole direction of the shoot. Tying everything together was the set design of Rey John Legaspi of Rocket Design Studio.
Beginning her Instagram caption with a rhetorical question to Kathryn Bernardo and 2021 Tanduay Calendar Girl Ivana Alawi—"Akala n'yo kayo lang magaling sa ganito na posing?", Melai proudly declared that she can also do a seductive photoshoot.
Doing sexy in her own terms, Melai took inspiration from the classic calendar girl photoshoot, posting a series of playful photos as the endorser of tuba or coconut wine. She then gave a self-deprecating response to her rhetorical question—"Tama ang akala n'yo kayo lang talaga kasi pangit ng kalabasan ko dito hahahaha."
Celebrities and Netizens React to Melai Cantiveros' Hilarious "Birthday Bash" Photos
Contrary to Melai's caption that says "... totoong bash talaga makukuha ko dito," an outpouring of greetings, laughter, and positive energy from fellow celebrities and the netizens filled the comment section of her birthday post.
Ivana greeted the actress and accepted defeat, saying that Melai already ended the calendar girl photoshoot fight.
Melai's ultimate crush Jericho Rosales also greeted the actress and affirmed the hotness that summer brings.
Melai's fellow Pinoy Big Brother hosts Robi Domingo and Bianca Gonzalez joined in on the laughter.
John Arcilla, who once played Melai's father in the 2011 TV series Mana Po, shared how the actress' post left him laughing in tears. He also said how there's no one quite like Melai.
One netizen jokingly referred to Melai as the newest endorser of the Tubbataha Reef and on a more serious note, thanked the actress for always putting a smile on people's faces.
Finally, one netizen tagged BJ Pascual and challenged him to collaborate with Melai on a sexy shoot—to which BJ accepted! Definitely something to look forward to!
Happy Birthday, Melai!
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