LATELY, local television has turned into a truly more visually exciting medium. Imagine the bevy of sexy stars who have sought refuge in the TV industry after the much-publicized crackdown on bold films last year. Well, filmdom's loss is television's gain.

We ask some of these sexy hunks and babes about their experiences on TV, and here are their thoughts:

Ara Mina, mainstay, "Kiss Muna" and "Bubble Gang": "I love doing TV work. Medyo nalungkot din ako after 'Super Klenk' closed pero sabi nga nila, if God closes a door, He opens a window. So, heto na nga ang 'Kiss Muna' where I get to do some comedy. Siyempre, may pa-sexy rin ng konti kasi ganoon nga yung roles namin, pero nothing vulgar.

"I am learning a lot about TV acting-timing, delivery, plus yung tinatawag na ensemble acting kasi marami kami dito. Yung paano magiging klaro yung papel mo nang hindi mo sinasapawan yung mga ka-eksena mo.

"Sa film, medyo pagod kasi matagal ang shooting, tapos panay location pa. Pero sa TV, nasa studio lang and two days at most ang taping, kaya nakaka-rest kaming mga artista.

Leonardo Litton, semi-regular, "Labs Ko Si Babe": "We all know that television reaches out to more people, which means that I get extra exposure as a talent. Plus the fact that my role as Dominic Ochoa's secret fantasy is light and almost comic, which allows me to showcase my other side as an actor.

"At first, medyo naiilang rin ako kasi totally different sa mga ginagawa ko sa film, pero habang tumatagal, I got used to it and I'm really enjoying it now. In fact, I look forward to my tapings. There's still a little naughtiness in my character pero subtle na lang, and I don't have to show a lot of flesh to be sexy."

Izza Ignacio, main support, "Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis": "Since I decided to lie low in making sexy films, my weekly show has become my bread and butter. It's something that I've learned to love and value. Alam mo naman ang role ko sa show, kahit lagi akong naka-sexy outfits, comedienne ako first and foremost. Oh sure, I flirt a lot kasi yun ang role ko, pero yung tipong hindi bastos na flirt kasi nga hindi naman smart yung character ko, di ba?

"I observe a lot during tapings lalo na pag may guests kaming bigtime. Siyempre, marami rin akong natututunan kina Marya (Maricel Soriano) and Tita Nova (Villa) kasi veterans na sila sa comedy."

Klaudia Koronel, mainstay, "Kiss Muna": "Ako mismo, natatawa sa sarili ko dito sa taping. (Klaudia plays an almost brainless model in the show, like Carmi Martin in "Chicks to Chicks" and Janice Jurado in "Duplex.") Marami akong nare-realize as we progress, I also discover a lot about myself as an actress.--Actress daw, o?

"Seriously, the environment during tapings is more relaxed, unlike sa movies na parang laging mataas ang stress level ng mga artista. After taping for an episode, parang hindi ka pa rin pagod, and minsan nga we still go out.

"Of course, the level of satisfaction is different in the movies. Kasi nga, larger than life pag nasa screen. And if you're lucky to be included in well-made films, mas malaki ang recognition--like my previous experience, nakapag-represent pa ako sa Philippines sa mga international film festival."

Leandro Baldemor, guest actor in drama shows: "Sabi nila, TV is the most practical escape pag wala nang masyadong sex-oriented movie projects para sa mga tulad ko. Sabi ko naman, there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I have to be thankful na may trabaho pa rin ako kahit paano.

"The work on TV is less stressful and draining. Pero lagi ring mabilis ang pacing kasi scenes have to be taped immediately, unlike the movies na shooting can go on and on just to get the cinematic shots na kailangan.

"People think na madaling mag-bold pero hindi rin. I should know, katakut-takot na hirap ang dinaanan ko. Drama is another challenge, kasi kailangang full concentration and focus, everytime."

Ina Raymundo, mainstay, "Kiss Muna." "I believe that this show has made more people aware of the vast potentials of the so-called sexy stars. With me in the show are top-rated actresses like Elizabeth Oropesa, who also went daring before, plus Ara and Klaudia who have both done good films in the past year.

"There's nothing wrong if we 'invade' television. We have to make a living. If there's a drought in filmmaking because the censors have become stricter with bold films, then it's just a practical move to move to other fields that can give us work.