FOGO de CHAO

QB hosts dinner at Fogo de Chao for 30 guests, family, friends and documentary crew. All eight Badilla siblings were present at dinner: Sonny, Bessie, Billy, Lyn, Bing, Rene, Bobby and Marites. After 2 weeks of ensajos, fittings, samba lessons and carnaval preparations, QB was very happy to see everyone especially daughters Isabel and Ines.

Quick Updates

Queen Bessie will check in at the Anhembi Hotel...

Food Poisoning

Queen Bessie fell ill again and this time had to go to the hospital, she had trouble breathing and felt very light headed. After a series of blood tests, diagnosed electrolites fell dangerously low after succumbing to food poisoning a few days ago. QB will not be allowed to attend anymore ensajos until carnaval date; she'll need to load-up on carbs and drink a lot of coco verde (fresh coconut juice) and mineral water if she is to go through a 2-day samba marathon with the 3 escolas de samba she is representing. Acai, a berry found only in the Amazon is also included in QB's daily diet for energy. Powdered Guarana mixed in her diet is also a must for the next 4 days.

More Arrivals

Rii Kansari and Nana Buxani (videographers) arrived in Sao Paulo with QB's best friend John Cruzcosa. Met with Renato to visit Nene's Barracao (where floats are built, assembled and decorated) and checked out work progress on Bessie's float. Giboy Sarayba from Tagaytay, Philippines arrives after 30 hours of travel time. Badilla family arrives in Rio de Janeiro late evening with QB trainer Angel Alicea.


Everyone meets Franco at Renato's condo for QB fitting of Nene and Vai Vai costumes. (Pictures included.) QB, John and Giboy goes back to Bela Vista apartment and ends up sleeping at 2:00 am!

Agora Newspaper

A big picture of Queen Bessie at the sambodromo ensajo with Nene de Vila Matilde makes it to AGORA newspaper — a national newspaper with a circulation of 150,000.

Ensajo Pictures

QB with Nene song writer and singer

After 2 hours of ensajo on 6" heels, QB takes a break

Renato, Mauricio, Augusto, Judgomar and QB

The queen sits on the ground after ensajo...

With a young fan from Nene de Vila Matilde

Snap shots taken after ensayo for Nene de Vila Matilda at the Anhembi Sambodromo.

Busy Weekend

Queen Bessie will go back to Nene cuadra to check on her float. In the afternoon, she will have an ensajo at the sambodromo with Escola Nene de Vila Matilde. A fitting session will follow in the evening. (Pictures in costume will be posted by Sunday.)

Details

Queen Bessie visited the Nene de Vila Matilde cuadra to check out her carro (float)... it is still BARE! With only 5 days left to finish ALL the floats for the carnaval, QB is a bit nervous. But, THIS is Brasil... carnavalesco Augusto is not worried at all.

IT WILL BE DONE IN 5 DAYS!!!

QB saw for the first time, her fantasia costume as DEUSA de AGRICULTURA. Yes, it is all of 80 lbs! The entire costume/gown, including pluma cape, is covered in Swarovski Crystals. According to carnavalescu for Vila Maria, Wagner Santos, QB's costume is not only the heaviest amongst the entire collection of 4,800 costumes, it is also the most expensive!

Holiday Inn, Anhembi

At the Holiday Inn in Anhembi, to make extra room reservations for MORE friends coming to the carnaval.

Ensajo

Queen Bessie goes to her ensajo for the first time at Sambodromo Anhembi with Escola Vai Vai — had to walk for 2 hours (on 6 inch heels!!!) because the floats were not to be seen until the actual carnaval date. Pictures with Ivi, the beautiful Bateria Queen to follow.

Pre-Carnaval

Queen Bessie meets with Brazilian crew to discuss the schedule pre-carnaval activities. She also gets invited to jam with the Brazilian band at Bar Mata. (Photos to follow.)

Brasil!

Bessie arrives in Guarulhos Airport, Sao Paolo. Currently, she has no internet access and is staying at Claudio C.'s apartment.

The Blog Is Live!

Welcome to the weblog of Bessie Badilla, Filipina Super Model, actress, and comedienne! This section will include daily postings from Bessie with regards to her current activities and whereabouts. Also, keep checking back here as we follow Bessie to Sao Paolo's Carnaval where she will grace the event as the FIRST Filipina Emperatriz! For more info regarding the carnaval, point your browsers to www.queenbessie.com.

Video Trailer

If you haven't already seen it, checkout the Queen Bessie video trailer via YouTube: (Click here if you can't see the video below.)



"Unidos no Samba" courtesy of Eileen Sison and Guarana.