FHM cover girls Alicia Mayer and Geneva Cruz, model Sandra Seifert, Kapuso star Yasmien Kurdi, and Delara frontwoman Lougee Basabas are solidly in the running among Asian contestants in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest on PETAAsiaPacific.com. Other contenders from the Philippines include models Isabel Roces and Raya Mananquil, newspaper columnist RJ Ledesma, singer-songwriter Nityalila Saulo, and actors Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Juliana Palermo, Carlos Agassi, and Raymond Bagatsing.

Other vegetarian celebrities in the contest include singer Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and actors Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Jared Leto, and Anne Hathaway.

Why are more and more trendsetters choosing to go vegetarian? Healthy vegetarian meals can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and strokes. Plus, meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans are, making a vegetarian diet the easiest way to stay slim and sexy.

"When you look at the gorgeous celebrities in this year's contest, it's clear that eating vegetarian meals makes you beautiful inside and out," says PETA Asia Vice President of International Operations Jason Baker. "After all, going vegetarian is the best thing that you can do for animals, the Earth, and yourself. Plus, everyone knows that there's nothing sexier than someone who exudes both passion and compassion."

The contest runs through May 15. Votes are one of the factors that will help PETA decide the winner of our Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest. PETA will ultimately decide the winners based on four factors with equal consideration: number of votes received, the celebrity's commitment to vegetarianism, PETA's assessment of the celebrities' attractiveness, and the media-friendliness of each celeb's personality.