New calendar girl

She’s Viva Artists Agency star Kara Mitzki, this year’s featured beauty on the official calendar of Tanduay White, one of the leading drinks in the country. She joins the likes of Heart Evangelista, KC Concepcion, Jennylyn Mercado, and Jessy Mendiola in the brand’s roster of ambassadors.

Kara is a multi-talented star who can sing, dance, and act. She was born in the Philippines but raised in Sydney, Australia. Her mom is Filipino-Japanese, while her dad is part Filipino, Spanish, and Greek, hence her very foreign-sounding last name.  

She got more than her family name from her dad. “I was born into a family of musicians on my dad’s side,” she notes. “And I started singing and dancing very early, when I was around 3 years old.”

Kara had her first taste of showbiz in 2010 when she did some TV commercials, print ads, and guest appearances on TV. But she had to discontinue after one year to finish her studies and take a role in the family business. 

She couldn’t stay away for long. The self-described “born to be in showbiz” star returned to being a performer full-time in 2015, concentrating on her singing career. 

“I love live performances talaga in front of the crowd,” she says. “Super saya ako pag nasa stage performing, sharing, and inspiring people.”

It was in one of those live gigs for Tanduay where she got noticed and the ball towards her brand ambassadorship started rolling. But it wasn’t a walk in the park. Kara had to work hard to be in the best shape to clinch the deal. 

“Ang dami ko pinagdaanan para makuha ‘yung endorsement,” she says. “But I really put my heart to it. This is a major break for someone like me who’s just starting in showbiz. Now that it’s finally here I consider it a big honor. Besides I really drink Tanduay White. I think it’s one of the best so far that Tanduay has ever created. Masarap sya gawing cocktail.”

Now Kara is ready for bigger things. Among her dreams for her showbiz career is a debut album with original songs, a major concert, a launching movie, regular TV shows, and awards. She would also love to work with her local idols like Sarah Geronimo, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, and actor-singer Sam Milby. 

And she vows to keep working hard, perhaps harder than ever, now that more doors are starting to open for her. “I’m the type of person who doesn’t back down from challenges. I actually challenge myself and I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my life interesting. I would say that I’m very unpredictable in a good way.”

★★★★★

Real stories of people finding their perfect match online come aplenty. But there are also accounts of people who met harm because of Internet dating. 

From Viva Films, in cooperation with Aliud Entertainment, comes Swipe, a movie about apartment neighbors whose lives take an unpredictable turn after developing a connection with someone through social media. It stars Luis Alandy, Maria Isabel Lopez, Gabby Eigenmann, Mercedes Cabral, Alex Medina, and Meg Imperial. 

Cabral plays Loida, the new lady guard in Sunrise Apartments who got hired by Leo, the building supervisor, played by Alandy. The two met at a dating site and had a fleeting affair. Now, Loida’s OFW husband is coming home, and she just wants to keep her relationship with Leo strictly professional. But how can she avoid his advances when he threatens to expose their recorded illicit act online? 

Lopez plays Gloria, a mother in her mid-40s whose marriage has recently been annulled. While her 19-year-old son is active in online networking business, Gloria also keeps herself busy chatting with Ted, an investment consultant. When they finally meet in person, will the chemistry they’ve established online be just as strong? 

Eigenmann plays Frank, a married man who leads a double life. He checks out gay social dating sites, and the young men who capture his attention get invited to his studio unit. One of them is Josh, a real but financially needy hunk. When Frank’s feelings for Josh grow deeper, how will he take it if the latter takes advantage of him? 

Imperial plays Janet, a recovering drug addict married to Edward, a team leader in a call center. Moving into the apartment is part of their efforts to make a fresh start. But her dangerous craving persists, and she scouts online to satisfy it. Can they still save their fragile marriage when, aside from drug problem, jealousy is factored in? 

Swipe opens in cinemas today.