RIZA  SANTOS WANTS  SHOWBIZ  CAREER  BUILT  ON  WHOLESOME IMAGE

MANILA, JANUARY 24, 2008 (STAR) THE FREEMAN - By Marigold P. Lebumfacil - As her showbiz career kicks into high gear, Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2’s first runner-up, Riza Santos, would like to be packaged as a wholesome, not sexy, performer.

This was what the curvaceous Filipino-Canadian beauty told the Cebu entertainment media during an informal presscon last Saturday at the Castle Peak Hotel with other PBB Celeb Edition 2 housemates. They were in town last weekend to participate in the Sinulog 2008 festivities.

“I want to be packaged as a wholesome performer, just like Beyonce. My concentration is on singing and dancing. Though I already have an acting experience but acting seems to be always a first time for me,” she said.

She was also asked for her reaction to the issue regarding Mariel Rodriguez’s unsavory comments about her, which the celebrity house guest said during one drinking session inside the PBB house.

“Siyempre nagulat ako. Honestly, gusto ko siya (referring to Mariel), I really enjoyed her company when we were still inside the house. Na-hurt ako at first. Nalaman ko lang yon nung lumabas na ako sa bahay ni Kuya. Of course, kami lang nandoon at hindi namin alam ang nangyayari outside the house,” she said.

“Nag-apologize naman siya sa akin. We even hosted [noontime show] ‘Wowowee’ together. I also understand that when she said that she really did not mean it. We are friends, that is why it did not matter to me,” Riza added, defending Mariel.

With that controversy now settled, Riza was prodded to talk about her “special relationship” with co-housemate Will. According to Riza, it all started when her close friends at the start of the PBB season got all evicted, and in those times, she really felt out of place.

“Na-out of place ako because I’m used to spending more time with the girls. Then, in those moments also, si Will yong palaging kausap ko,” explained Riza. “He’s nice, respectful and that’s what I value most. He is also comfortable to be with and easy-going. My parents like him since they saw on TV how Will took care of me and how he showed concern for me.”

Does the model-actor have a big chance to own her heart? “I don’t know, but I have a good gauge sa pagkatao niya. He’s a great guy,” Riza said.

Though she claimed that Will is not courting her, The Freeman asked her if the rumor that she, together with her family, had dinner with Will recently, was true. “Yes, we had dinner last Monday. My parents like him and of course, Will has no family here in the Philippines. But he’s not courting me, it’s good that we must get to know each other first and start as friends.”

It also piqued the curiosity of the local press why she hasn’t been involved in any romantic relationship since birth.

“Binawalan kasi ako ng parents ko to have a relationship at 18, but I’m 20 now, and I still don’t have one,” was Riza’s reply.

Though she has a sexy image, owing largely to her stints as beauty queen and one-time FHM cover girl, she holds dear values that make her an ideal Ambassador of Beauty and as a young woman of virtue.

Despite having grown up abroad, Riza is very traditional in many ways. Asked about her views on virginity and pre-marital sex, she said she is all for self-preservation. “I’m preparing it for my husband. I do not know who he is. I’m a Christian, and I believe that I should preserve this for him,” she said.

She also shared what lessons she gleaned from her PBB experience. “[I learned] how to relate with other people and how to deal with stressful situations under pressure.”

Riza also became one of the most well-loved housemates, even widely tipped to become big winner of the reality TV show, which was eventually won by Davaoeño Ruben Gonzaga. “It is so overwhelming to learn that people took the time to really vote for you... I’m really thankful to my supporters.”Before PBB, Riza was actually in the Canadian army for two years. She eventually joined Miss Earth 2007 as official representative of Canada—an experience she described as a completely new adventure for her. This, however, became an opportunity for her to reconnect with relatives in the country, where the international beauty tilt was held, as well as the chance for her to pursue her concern for environmental issues. In fact, this also brought her to Cebu last year to promote environmental awareness.

Riza graduated with a bachelor degree in Biological Science and is planning to pursue further studies to become a medical doctor.

Included in Riza’s line-up of projects is an upcoming movie with Robin Padilla and comedy queen, Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas under Viva Films; a fantaserye entitled “Utoy,” and a comedy gag show, “Banana Split.”