Sure, it's just a calendar, but the Belikin calendar has taken on the character of a true cultural phenomenon. We can't quite say why the unveiling is such a big deal, but if you ever wondered how much pull it really has, you needed only to visit the launching on Thursday night like we did to find that the calendar girls have the type of draw usually reserved only for stars.
Keith Swift Reporting,
More than 100 people, mostly men of course, said hello to 2005 - early - at the launch party for the 2005 Belikin swimsuit calendar at the Radisson Hotel. It was an autograph session with the 12 models, and their very eager fans who crowded the desk for a chance to share a moment with the ladies whose images they will behold for the next 12 months.
KS: Mahalia, how many autographs have you signed?
Mahalia Gomez-Robinson, Miss December
"Probably like 100."
KS: Have you ever signed that many?
Mahalia Gomez-Robinson,
"Never, never."
KS: You tired?
Mahalia Gomez-Robinson,
"Nope I can carry on. Just a couple more drinks and I'll be straight. I am ecstatic you know with the signing and all that stuff I feel like a star. Its pretty cool."
KS: Did you imagine it would be like this?
Mahalia Gomez-Robinson,
"No…well I had a vision in my head but this is actually pretty cool because I have a lot of my family here and they are coming to sign the calendars so its actually better than I expected."
Shanell Pinkard, Miss June
"Well currently I am autographing calendars and I have a whole bunch of guys waiting for me just to say 'to and from Shanell,' so it kind of feels like wow."
Melanie Burns, Miss November,
"What's better than that, right?"
Shanell Pinkard,
"It's very exciting."
KS: So it feels good to have all these guys drooling?
Shanell Pinkard,
"Not really drooling but wanting my autograph because you know everyone knows I'm taken."
Elvi Guerrero,
"I'm very glad that at this stage, I won't tell you my age…"
KS: No 1you have to tell me your age, how old are you?
Elvi Guerrero,
"I'll tell you if you take a guess first."
KS: 16? 19? 25?
Elvi Guerrero,
"25? No, I am 27 so I'm really proud and really glad I could be in this calendar representing Belize."
Angelique Ayuso, Miss August
"I think it's the Belizean equivalent of you know MTV or BET, you know it's the highest you can go in Belize."
Deanira Leon, Miss February
"Its very good because it's the first time you're getting the sense of being part of a lot of people."
KS: _You comfortable with so many men looking at you?
Angelique Ayuso,
"Well yes it does send a bit of chill down your spine, but at the end of the day its just a picture and that's all."
KS: _Since you guys have taken the picture have you had any second thoughts?
Angelique Ayuso,
"Yeah I did several times because there is this whole Calendar issue and the women in the bathing suit posing for a liquor company; it's a very controversial issue. But I don't any regrets, second thoughts yes but no regrets."
Also having no regrets is Belize Brewing Company for which the annual swimsuit calendar has become a sure-fire marketing tool which works because, hey, sex sells.
Hilly Martinez, Gen. Manager Belize Brewing Co.
"We have beautiful women in Belize and you know if you see a calendar with beautiful women you may be enticed to drink the beer. So if you look over the world all beer companies actually use some beautiful woman in a swimsuit or whatever to promote their product."
"Both our customers and non-customers really look forward to it. We have people who don't drink our beers who want the calendar. I get lots of mail from people abroad throughout the world, in Europe and USA and North America and South America, requesting the calendars. But we cannot supply everybody."
KS: Why do you think that is, the demand?
Hilly Martinez,
"Well I think besides having a good beer I think the girls are also beautiful girls and I think that's what people want."
A phenomenon for Belikin - but women's rights activists say it is an offence because it objectifies women.
KS: Some people might say girls being in a calendar like this, it sets women back.
Mahalia Gomez-Robinson,
"Well you know what nowadays depending on what you wearing and a nice cute bikini you never where it can get you, Victoria's Secret…you never know. I actually have a younger sister and in another two years she will be doing the calendar too so there's nothing wrong it. I think it's pretty cool."
Melody Sanchez-Wolf, Miss September
"As long as they are not perverted about it, if I may use that word, its fine. Its okay to someone's good looking just don't be rude about it."
Elvi Guerrero, Miss March
"I feel the same way about it you know as long as no one's disrespectful, you feel good when someone admires you but don't cross the line."
Melanie Burns, Miss November
"I don't see how it could be. It's a fun experience. We ourselves, our self-esteem is lifted by this so how can it be degrading. We wanted to do it."
Jules Vasquez,
How will your parents react when they see it?
Angelique Ayuso, Miss August
"Well that's the big issue. I guess I am a bit torn when it comes to that because its not something that my dad really supports but I guess being an adult it something that I want to do so I did it and I could only respect his opinion but not agree with it."
Deanira Leon, Miss February
"They haven't seen it but when they see it I think they will understand that's what I want and that's what I like."
And while mom and dad may frown - there were no stern faces here tonight, with the lubrication of alcohol and that unmistakable ecstasy of sudden celebrity, it was a perfect playground for Belize Brewing's marketing strategy, hot babes and cold beer, what could be better…..?
The photos were taken by Richard Holder and Jeremy Spooner. The calendars are available for $10 from Bowen and Bowen.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift