Upcoming Darna lead star Marian Rivera bags this year's distinction as the cover of YES! magazine's 100 Most Beautiful Stars. Last year's honor belonged to KC Concepcion, who made it to the special issue's "Princesses of the Cinema" category this year.

"Sobrang bait nga ng YES! sa akin kasi last year, tapos 'yong isang year [2007] pa, kasama na ako, e, tapos ngayon kasama ulit ako," Marian told the entertainment press in an interview held this afternoon, June 22, at the Anabel's restaurant in Quezon City.

The 24-year-old actress—whose ascent to young superstar status in barely three years is phenomenal—personally attended the launching of the magazine, where she herself unveiled the cover for all the guests to see.

The cover shows the Kapuso Network's current darling clad in a teasing strapless bustier mini-dress created by Arleen Sipat for Salsatrends.

"Marian Rivera is a star because she occupies that rare space between aspiration and accessibility," the accompanying article took note.

Aside from the cover girl, the launching was also graced by other celebrities who likewise entered the list: Paolo Contis, Donita Rose, Maxine Eigenmann, and Kevin Santos.

MATTER OF TASTE. Released annually by the country's top entertainment magazine, the 100 Most Beautiful Stars special issue pays tribute to the country's "most good-looking in the land" in the field of show business.

"As lists go, there is no one lineup that will satisfy everybody. Beauty is a matter of taste. It is also, in our case, a matter of category and currency," editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon wrote.

While physical attributes combined with eye-candy allure undoubtedly played as the most telling ingredients in determining the names to be included in the final list, the YES! staff also puts utmost consideration on an individual's character, achievements both on and off the camera, and potential as important factors as determined by each and every category.

Some of the names and their corresponding categories include Kim Chiu, Rhian Ramos, Bea Alonzo ("Primetime Ladies"); Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes, and John Lloyd Cruz ("Leading Men"); Sarah Geronimo ("Princesses of the Cinema"); Gerald Anderson ("The New Prince"); Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, and Kris Bernal ("Not Your Average Girls"); Geoff Eigenmann and Aljur Abrenica ("Boys Next Door"); Sam Milby, Anne Curtis, Jake Cuenca, Cristine Reyes, and Diether Ocampo ("Hunks and Babes"); Gary Valenciano and Ogie Alcasid ("Multi-Talented"); Iza Calzado, Jolina Magdangal, Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Dawn Zulueta, Lorna Tolentino, and Vilma Santos ("Beautiful At Any Age"); Zaijan Jaramilla of May Bukas Pa fame ("The Adorables").

Jericho Rosales, on the other hand, leads the charge in the "Glam Dads" bracket along with Dennis Trillo and Mark Anthony Fernandez; while the mother-and-daughter tandem of Jean and Jennica Garcia banner the "Passing the Torch" category. Newlyweds Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo topbill the "Couples" group, which also includes Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano and Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay.

The issue also cites "The Venerables" Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero: "...as they continue to demonstrate that age is no hindrance when you have passion for what you do."

Rosalinda star Carla Abellana is part of "The Faces To Watch."

YES! 100 Most Beautiful Stars 2009 is available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets nationwide.