Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista (for full screen gallery pics click on link)

Machete star Aljur Abrenica and top model Ornussa Cadness bared their smooth skin at the Lay Bare fashion show held recently at the Hard Rock Café.  Lay Bare is the first and only “waxing boutique” in the Philippines. They specialize in providing customers with a stress free hair removal experience by offering a full rage of professional waxing services

One of the country’s hottest models: Ornussa Cadness in a Japanese inspired make up and body painting. Photo by Jude Bautista

Since the ‘Machete’ role from GMA 7 is a statue that has come to life, it calls for muscular but hair free skin. Abrenica said, “As a professional actor I have to be able to endure the changes in my body that the role calls for. And I was bracing myself for some pain but contrary to popular belief it wasn’t that bad.” Lay Bare prides itself in the cold wax jelly treatment that eliminates incidents of nicks, cuts or burns and is relatively pain free. Aljur now is even considering continuing the treatment as a regular thing, “I enjoy how it makes my skin look. I do work out, so it doesn’t make me look any less masculine.” for full screen gallery pics click on link

One of the country’s hottest models: Ornussa Cadness in a Japanese inspired make up and body painting. Photo by Jude Bautista

Model Ornussa Cadness also shared her thoughts on Lay Bare, “There is immense pressure for model’s skin to look immaculate. And there are fashion shows where we show a lot of skin wearing bikinis and so forth. Lay Bare is a life saver in terms of minimized pain and effectiveness.”

Lay Bare Founders from left: Fiona and Monique Hilario. Photo by Jude Bautista

Lay Bare was established by Fiona and Monique Hilario back in 2006 as a result of their own frustrations with hair removal from beauty parlors. Fiona said, “I personally experienced it all, the lengthy waiting, uncomfortable beds and the not so pleasant waxing treatments in the ‘ouch’ factor. So we saw an opportunity to put up Lay Bare. We’re proud of the fact that in only five years we’ve grown to 31 branches nationwide.”

A hot model shows off her Body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

Monique added that, “Apart from the cold wax jelly we also combine it with patch waxing technique. Unlike the usual strip waxing method it decreases skin trauma by removing a small section of hair at a time. And ingredients are all natural.” Sponsors for the fashion show include: POND’S, PLDT SME Nation, Sassa, The Body Shop, Freshman Masculine Wash, ETC Channel, Nail it!, Bioessence, Ipanema and Hard Rock Café.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista

Framed pic of Arnel Pineda hitting a high powerful note at Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Café: I was in Heaven!

I have to thank the event for bringing me here again in their Glorietta, Makati branch. (There are a lot of Hard Rock Cafés around the world) Although some of the decor has changed. The first picture on the wall near the entrance says it all. Three inch golden frame, thick white space, in the center: a close up of Arnel Pineda frozen hitting a high powerful note. This was home for me.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

From right: Echo and the Bunnymen has a poster framed near the stage, their guitar, followed by Paul Stanley’s guitar (of Kiss). Photo by Jude Bautista

In the circular area with the stage, electric guitars are encased on the wall. Echo and the Bunnymen has a poster framed near the stage. Andy Taylor’s (of Duran Duran) guitar was beside Stabbing Westward, followed by Paul Stanley’s (of Kiss). I don’t mind admitting that as an eleven year old, I bought vinyl of Echo & the Bunny Men and Duran Duran. It was so long ago kids today have NO idea what I’m talking about.

from left: Andy Taylor’s (of Duran Duran) guitar was beside Stabbing Westward. Photo by Jude Bautista

Duran Duran had one of their biggest hits play in ‘American Pie: The Wedding’ when Stiffler has a dance off in a gay bar. The track was ‘The Reflex’, the song sounded just as fresh and contemporary when it first came out. People who knew the song were laughing even harder than those who didn’t as 80’s memories came flooding in. Duran Duran is still around and getting younger fans all the time.

I wasn’t even able to shoot a hand written note, with lyrics by only the greatest guitar player who ever lived: Jimi Hendrix.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

From one model to the other from left: Ornussa Cadness with host PDI Columnist Isabel Roces. Photo by Jude Bautista

Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) holds a cig on one hand while giving his creepy glare

On the same wall, Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) holds a cig on one hand while giving his creepy glare. Beside his photo is his jacket from their ‘Steel Wheels’ tour in ’89 and his guitar of course. Yes, Hard Rock Café is a successful international chain of restaurants. For a rock fan like me the experience is way beyond that, it’s like going to church! Thank you Lay Bare, Fiona and Monique Hilario, keep the faith!

Lay Bare Founders from left: Fiona and Monique Hilario with host and PDI columnist Isabel Roces. Photo by Jude Bautista