Say, the scenario starts off with you in the supermarket, where the magazine stand features the latest issues.
One cover (that's FHM) lets you do a double take.
Isn't she that cute teen actress wearing almost nothing on the cover?
Of course, this cute teen actress will be asked that question and her usual response will be, “I want to let them know that I’m mature and ready.”
Why does showing off skin connote maturity for an actress?
Why does being sexy implies you are “ready”?
For the magazine’s managing editor, Allan Hernandez, he describes such career move a transition.
His reply to our email dated July 8, “Many of the celebrities who have done FHM covers say that doing so was a sort of crossing over for them.
“For some, it was crossing over from an image of being cutesy and 'wholesome' to one of being more mature and 'daring.'
“For others, it was a validation of their confidence in being sexy.”
THE "SEXY" ROUTE. Gracing the FHM covers does wonders to a celebrity’s career.
This “crossover” helps her break away from any stereotypical teen roles or conservative roles that she may have been akin to.
This “validation of confidence” also shows that the celebrity has begun embracing her womanhood, and is opening herself to do roles that portray just that.
And being an FHM cover girl can open new doors.
Allan elaborates, “But for a lot of them, doing an FHM cover has paved the way for new shows and endorsements.
“I would say most of the celebrities who ended up being number one on the annual 100 Sexiest List—for example, Angel Locsin, Katrina Halili, Cristine Reyes, Sam Pinto—are now famous as today’s sexiest celebrities in large part because of their FHM covers.”
THE BENCHMARKS. Being the first StarStruck talent to top FHM’s 100 Sexiest List and the first to win the title back-to-back in 2006 and 2007, Katrina Halili solidified her stature as a sought-after kontrabida in the years to follow.
Such roles included being Serpina/ Valentina in GMA's Mars Ravalo's Darna playing opposite fellow FHM cover girl and 2010's Sexiest Angel Locsin as the title role.
The Kapuso star had at least three major TV projects in those years and, on top of that, she gained various endorsement deals such as Kawasaki and Belo Medical Group.
She later became a controversial figure, but she managed to bounce back.
Now a mother to her daughter, Katrence, with Kris Lawrence, she became the magazine's cover girl again for its January 2015 issue.
This return marked her fourth time being on the cover.
In one of her interviews, Katrina revealed, “FHM ang isa sa mga unang nakatulong sa akin. The magazine really helped my career.”
A photo posted by FHM Philippines (@fhmphilofficial) onDec 28, 2014 at 4:37am PST
Another StarStruck alumna Cristine Reyes also gained more projects after becoming FHM's Sexiest in 2009.
In 2008, the year she did the TV remake of Eva Fonda, the Kapamilya actress was Top 8 in FHM’s 100 Sexiest.
The following year, she topped the list.
She told the magazine in an interview for the September 2009 issue, “Sobrang bigat ng title na ito. You’ve made me more conscious about how I look.
“Not that it’s bad ha, kaya lang ngayon parang I feel pressured na mag-maintain ng figure.
“It’s also overwhelming na palagi nang nakakabit sa akin yung honor.
"It’s one thing to be called sexy, pero laking iba ‘pag turing sa ’yo the sexiest.”
Her film roles afterwards played up her sexiness with comedy. She starred in the 2010 remake of Working Girls and the 2013 comedies Bromance and Girl, Boy Bakla, Tomboy.
She also took on adult-drama films such as Trophy Wife, When the Love is Gone, and No Other Woman.
Just like Katrina, she's now a mother to a baby girl with her non-showbiz beau Ali Khatibi.
A photo posted by FHM Philippines (@fhmphilofficial) onFeb 5, 2014 at 3:14am PST
When Sam Pinto graced the cover of FHM’s July 2010 issue, she succeeded in getting the readers' attention.
Placing the 32nd spot that year, she skyrocketed to the top in 2011.
For two years, Sam was the country’s sexiest.
In FHM's December 2011 issue, she described the life of being the sexiest in the world.
“Crazy. After that, I’ve had work every single day. Which is actually very good, kasi yun talaga yung proof na ang lakas palang maging number one ng FHM.
“Now I have two new endorsements, [and I’m doing FHM again!]”
In 2012, she became part of two series, The Good Daughter in the Afternoon Prime and Legacy in GMA Telebabad.
On top of her TV and film roles, she became endorsers of San Miguel for SanMig Light, Smart, and Fitrum.
Sam placed fourth in this year's 100 Sexiest in the World.
A photo posted by FHM Philippines (@fhmphilofficial) onMay 24, 2014 at 5:07am PDT
Angel Locsin had never seen herself as someone “sexy” even if she had topped the list twice.
In the May 2010 issue of FHM, Angel talked about how much she has grown to “appreciate” her sexiness.
“Of course, hindi pa rin naman ako yung 'Yes, I’m sexy' pero ngayon, mas na-a-appreciate ko na yung sarili ko.
“Mas comfortable na ako as a woman.”
In 2003, when Angel first graced the cover, she bagged the role of Alwina in Mulawin, which made her GMA's top leading lady back then.
In 2005, the year she won the Sexiest title, she also got the Darna role.
The next time she was hailed the Sexiest by the FHM readers and her fanswas in 2010. Angel was already a Kapamilya then.
Angel placed sixth in this year's 100 Sexiest.
A photo posted by FHM Philippines (@fhmphilofficial) onJun 2, 2015 at 12:10am PDT
Indeed, there are so many reasons why the cover is so coveted.
The FHM Bro Con victory party for the 100 Sexiest of the World 2015 will be on July 11, Saturday, at the SMX Convention Center.
VIEW PHOTOS Jennylyn Mercado: FHM Philippines's Sexiest Woman for 2015