At the culmination of an event held at Novotel in Araneta City on Thursday, during the ceremonial toast, everyone was given a drink especially concocted in honor of a sultry actress who agreed to be the face of a popular liquor brand’s 2020 calendar.
The drink was a mix of gin, coconut and pineapple juices. Everybody in the venue called it “the island girl drink,” which is Ginebra’s new cocktail, made especially for Sanya Lopez.
“She is the perfect representation of our new cocktail which is the Island Drink,” said Ron Molina, Ginebra San Miguel National Marketing Manager.
Island Girl was the moniker given to Sanya Lopez who was launched as the face of Ginebra San Miguel’s 2020 calendar following in the footsteps of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019), cosplayer Myrtle Sarrosa (2018), and “Pantasya ng Bayan” Kim Domingo (2017).
Sanya is the 32nd calendar girl of Ginebra since it started the tradition of releasing calendars featuring models, beauty queens, and actresses in 1988.
“I couldn’t believe it when I first heard the news. When I got a call from GMA Artists Center about me being the 2020 calendar girl, I immediately felt the pressure. I was shocked because from Pia Wurtzbach, they’re choosing me. I think there’s a kind of high expectation because of the bar that Pia set,” the 23-year-old actress shared.
But the Kapuso star said she’ll do her best to prove she’s fit for the job. She shared her fitness journey throughout the shoot and said working out was never a problem for her since she’s been active ever since.
“I’ve been doing a lot of physical activities even before the shoot. I didn’t do anything extraordinary. Maybe I just went to the gym more frequent than before and watched my diet,” Sanya said.
“I had more fish, chicken, and vegetables,” she added.
Born on Aug. 9, 1996, Sanya, or Shaira Lenn Osuna Roberto in real life, is the younger sister of actor Jak Roberto, who is known for his leading roles on GMA Network programs.
Her career started in 2012 when she was accidentally discovered by the late German Moreno on the set of Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman where her brother was a mainstay. Sanya was mistaken for another actress, who was also on the show. Since then, Kuya Germs included her on the program as one of his co-hosts.
Then, she was given supporting roles in various afternoon series of GMA including Dormitoryo and The Half Sisters. In 2015, Sanya auditioned and got the role of Danaya in the television remake of Encantadia, which she considers her biggest television break.