GORGEOUS rainforests and shimmering beaches are not all Brazil is blessed with. But of course you already know that ? if you?ve leafed through a glossy glamor magazine lately, sat through prime time TV, or cruised down Edsa at rush hour with the slow traffic allowing you enough time to ogle those giant billboards.

Brazilian models have taken the Philippine fashion and modeling industry by storm. There?s just no escaping the images of these chisel-featured, sun-kissed beauties and hunks.

And going by what seems to be their leading export to the Philippines for now, this South American country could be inhabited by people genetically blessed with the ?X factor,? that crucial element that makes one perfect material for commercial ads.

But are these models really genetically blessed with these qualities? Or do these Brazilian babes have to work hard as well to achieve and maintain their perfect bod? Here?s what we found out:

Fabio Luis Ide, who has graced a lot of TV commercials and print ads in the country, says keeping his body in shape requires gym workouts five times a week and a lot of sports on weekends. Like most Brazilian boys, sports has always been part of his childhood and growing up years, he adds. These days he plays football with a Brazilian team called ?Falecidos,? which has competed with Filipinos and other foreign teams.

Fabio says he watches what he eats, and refrains from taking in simple carbohydrates in the evening, which he won?t be able to burn through the night. Breakfast typically consists of fruits, multi-grain bread and protein rich foods like eggs and low salt corned beef, but he does allow himself an occasional Big Mac or pizza.

He has no special beauty regimen other than keeping his skin clean all the time, he reveals. He keeps his skin glowing by simply eating the right foods and loading up on fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Skin care is simple. Fabio makes sure to wash his face often and protects himself with sunblock when going outdoors. He also applies a dash of moisturizer before hitting the sack. But eight hours of sleep is a must as well for this 23-year-old who parties and drinks (in moderation) with his Filipina beauty queen girlfriend.

For his excellent physique, Fabio credits a lot of sports activities while he was growing up, such as football, tennis, capoeira, tennis and basketball. He continues to play those sports while working in the Philippines, and still finds time to sweat through weight training at the gym five times a week to tone his muscles.

If Fabio goes out to party on occasion, Daniel Matsunaga is exactly the opposite. A non party-goer, this Brazilian hunk whose face is just about everywhere in the archipelago, had just had a guest stint in a local TV soap and looks forward to entering showbiz.

Hot Brazilian chick Francine Pantaleao is most everyone?s idea of a gorgeous tanned fantasy. Even sans make-up and despite her simplicity, one can readily tell this soft-spoken lady is a striking beauty well deserving to be a model.

With Francine?s perfect symmetrical physique, it?s hard to believe that she has never worked out in her entire life until she came over to the Philippines to be a model. It was her agent who advised her to put in some hours at the gym since it?s part of the perks of a job she did. If it were all up to her, she says, she?d rather stay home and rest when she?s not working.

In the small town in Brazil where she grew up, she says, a gym is considered a luxury. Fortunately, Francine ads, she is endowed with a good figure. Eating the right food helps, she notes. She eats everything but all in moderation, and though she generally steers clear of fatty and greasy food, she occasionally craves pizza and cheeseburgers.

Her skin too can stand scrutiny even without make-up. The only time she puts on make-up, Francine says, is when the job requires it, which lately is very often. But she also makes sure all the make-up comes off immediately after the shoot. Facial wash and body soap, sunblock when she has to be outdoors and a full eight hours of sleep would sum up her beauty regimen.

A common denominator among these Brazilian models is ample rest that translates to eight hours of healthful sleep. The guys work out, but the women don?t make the gym their priority. They also have no significant beauty regimen, though they watch what they eat and refrain from simple carbohydrates. Instead, they focus more on lean protein, fruits and vegetables.

Their regimen sounds so ordinary you still wonder how their hair looks so glossy, their skin so clear and soft and their bodies so lean and toned. Well, maybe it?s really the Brazilian rainforests and the hot scorching beaches after all. ?