November 18, 2017 , Saturday- all roads went to Mall of Asia Arena, as Bench put another showstopper show as a part of their 30th Anniversary aptly named: BENCH UNDER THE STARS. And looking at the blurb ... it says: " Call it a constellation if you will ... this is the night when heavenly bodies gather and shine together on one massive stage ..." so who can refuse an invitation like that?
So as early as 5 PM, fans queued and line up to see what's in store for this year's fashion recipe. I have attended other Bench shows before "The Naked Truth" for one ... but this one tops them all - fan support, gargantuan preparation, the gathering of the stars, best designers and craftsmen... not to include a handsome budget.
So as early as 5 PM, fans queued and line up to see what's in store for this year's fashion recipe. I have attended other Bench shows before "The Naked Truth" for one ... but this one tops them all - fan support, gargantuan preparation, the gathering of the stars, best designers and craftsmen... not to include a handsome budget.
Bench did not put all stops just to make sure that this years show will succeed. They have commissioned and collaborated with 48 local celebrities, more than 10 beauty queens, a Tony award winning choreographer, 7 international performers and don't forget about the clothes - there were lots of spectacular pieces and costumes added to jazz up the Bench denim and underwear collections.
My doctor-friend asked why Under the Stars? Well, a Bench die-hard explained it maybe because the company wants to showcase who's the brightest stars in the showbiz or modelling constellation. And he goes on further ... and deeper: "It was just a metaphor to show Bench meteoric rise, from a company that started selling basic underwear ... look at where it is now? The dreamy backdrop of this campaign showed models with trees, boulders and stars glittering behind, it mirrors how the Bench mania began from a small dream ... it has metamorphosed and blossomed into a brand that it is now.
Now the highlights and the lowlights:
1. Celebrities that showed up: Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Enrique Gil, Inigo Pascual Julia Barretto, Kim Chiu, Julia Montes, Coleen Garcia,Dominic Roque, Diego Loyzaga, Anjo Damiles, Ruru Madrid, Derrick Monasterio, Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Tom Rodriguez, Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff, Kathniel, Richard Gutierrez, Paulo Avelino, Albie Casino, Marco Gumabao, Addy Raj, David Licauco, Kiko Estrada, Ahron Villena, Bruno Gabriel,Mark Mugen, Bianca King,Beauty Gonzales,Max Collins,Pancho Magno, Ken Chan, Kim Domingo,Andrea Torres, Maine Mendoza, Miho Nishida,Gabbi Garcia, Ash Ortega, Sanya Lopez, athletes like MMA fighter Mark Streigl and a comeback for the Philippine Volcanoes.
2.Beauty Queens- Wynwyn Marquez, Bea Rose Santiago, Maxine Medina, Ara Arida, MJ Lastimosa, Joanna Eden, Gwen Ruais, Cynthia Thomalia, and Ali Forbes.
3. Beauty Kings- Andrea Biondo- Mr. Asean 2017, Paul Guarnes- Universal Ambassador Philippines 2017- First Runner Up.Mustafa Galal- Winner Man of The World 2017.
4. International Models - Pietro Bosselli, Ivo Buckta, Trevor Signorino, John Spainhour, LA Aguinaldo.
5. There were only two Beauty Kings I spotted. Andrea Biondo and Paul Guarnes. I was expecting the likes of Neil Perez,Sam Adjani, AR de la Serna, Raven Renz Lansangan- Mr. International Philippines 2017 to further make a starry night. Oh ... I almost forgot Mustafa Galal Elizali- Man of the World 2017 Winner, Mark Andrew Baron-Mr Real Universe 2015 finalist, Jhon Marlon Marcia- Men Universe Model Philippines 2013 and John Spainhour- Mr World Philippines 2014, Wilfred Placencia- Mr. Global 2014- Fouth Runner Up, Verge Llego- Mr. Real Universe Philippines 2016 were there. And so was Clint Karklins- Man of the World Philippines 2018. Wow ... the list swelled up suddenly after a careful fine-tuning of my memory bank.
6. Richard Gomez, Wendell Ramos and John Estrada were sorely missed. I thought this Bench show is all about Bench past, present and future.
7. When Inigo Pascual came out ... a portion of the audience pleaded: " Inigo bata ka pa ... whatever that means. Did they implied ... Under the Stars ... is for adult only show?
8. Ruru Madrid is developing too much bulk ... he almost look like an "incredible hulk!"
9. Wynwyn Marquez was the most applauded among the beauty queens. She dwarfed the applause given to all beauty queens combined.
10. MOA almost was blown to smithereens when the masked unidentified hunk uncovered himself and revealed it was Markki Stroem. Another thunderous applause ensued when he exposed his bubble butt to the delight and amazement of everyone. Somebody in front of our seat said: "It is a work of art."
11. Another ear-splitting reception was given to Pietro Boselli. He knows how to tickle the audience prime buttons, making him one of the most popular.
12. The triumvirate of Albie Casino, Marco Gumabao and Kiko Estrada are still unripe for ramp consumption. Albie was goading the audience to clap and was given a lukewarm response.
13. Enrique Gil was in his best element. But the audience clamored: "Drop that pants" ... monologue.
14. I dont know what happened to Tom Rodriguez. He looked too haggard when the night calls and demands an outstanding presence on stage.
15. The Philippine Volcanoes failed to erupt. I didn't Their comeback was lackluster.
16. The gymnasts and acrobats provided a jaw-dropping entertainment throughout the show. There were at least 5 segments and they act as a bridge connecting the episodes in one unified whole. They hyped up the crowd and the stunts were ballsy.
17. Richard Gutierrez came out from an avalanche of colorful beach parasols fully clothed and a fan can't help but verbally announced his disappointment when he said " .... Ay wala man lang tinanggal?"
18. Maine Mendoza stole the thunder right under Wynwyn Marquez nose when she made a grand entrance carried by 5 men making her looked like a queen (a Cleopatra of sort). I thought Wynwyn was the queen (having been crowned Reina Hispano Americana 2017). But to Maine's credit, the rowdy crowd joined the chanting bandwagon making her the darling of the night.
19. It is quite amusing to see Paul Guarnes and Andrea Biondo battling for position when 15 male models advanced to escort Maine Mendoza to the front. It was a race among these men and the winner will be given the chance to sashay side by side with Maine and be in the spotlight. Paul was fast and quick,(he should have elbowed his opponents) but despite his fervid efforts his co-models outlive him. In the end the only thing Paul can do is akbayan ang kasama niyang male model para makasabay siya otherwise he will be left behind..
20. Andrea Biondo on the other hand doesn't have a clue. Chase Dasalla need to tell him that when in the Philippines, you have to do what Pinoys do. If the scene calls for models to walk side by side with Maine, then make the effort to be in front even though there's fifteen of you. Otherwise you will be relegated to the back, and nobody will see you ... and that's what exactly happens to him.
21. In the same group of Paul and Andrea was Mark Andrew Baron who also stood up, being the only moreno. "Ay ... ang ganda ng kulay niya ..." a lady fan was heard swooning. I told her, " Mark Andrew is my friend ... " She craned her neck and told me, "Ok ... from now on ... I will be your friend too!"
22: I am sorry but Bianca King and Beauty Gonzalez looked like they're too old to be included in the show. As one fan said, "they are already out of the league ..."
23. Derrick Monasterio on the last thread came out and was meet with silence. There was no screaming and no funfare so unlike the others. No Derrick fans in the audience? Or there was silence because everybody had their tongue tied or their jaw dropped ... admiring his totality.
24. And just like previous Bench shows. there were models who resorted to gimmicks loaded with sexual coloring to get attention. For one, Addy Raj grabbed his crotch and everyone was in cloud nine and Paulo Avelino enticed the audience if they want him to jump out of his jumpers. Rocco Nacino showed he is "gifted"... and has a chubby cuteness nobody can't ignore. There were more similar instances recorded in this show that if I am going to write them one by one, I will loss count.
25. The fan who was swooning over Mark Andrew Baron later came back to me and remarked: "I heard Mark Andrew Baron is a teacher too ... If Pietro Boselli is the sexiest Math teacher of Italy, does that make Mark Andrew the sexiest Math teacher of the Philippines?" I have enough of this girl!
26. Reel and real life couples provided the cheesy kilig moments (Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia, Ken Chan and Ash Ortega) the gimmicks utilized have already fungus and molds in them but the fans cheered giving you the impression that this ludicrous tactics SELLS!
27. Other young stars came unescorted. Julia Montes came without Coco Martin; Julia Barretto but no Joshua or Ronnie, Maine Mendoza came sans Alden Richards.and Tom Rodriguez but no Dennis Trillo. At the end of the segment Tom has Rocco Nacino in his arms instead. Enrique Gil however had a different story to tell. Liza Soberano was spotted in the audience adding more spice and paranoia that there's more to it than meets the eye.
28. The public was in limbo whether Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis who were regular Bench fixtures in the past will make their grand entrances. But they were a no-show. On the other hand Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa signed up with Bayo so it is a big no-no .... besides she was still in Japan.
29. Jake Cuenca used to lord it over in the Bench Thong Department. Have you forgotten how netizen's feasted in all his naked glory two years back? With his departure, two heirs apparent came from oblivion, and they were equally successful ...
gauging from fans overwhelming reception and the media mileage that they received.
Obviously I am referring to Markki Stroem as the new King and Rocco Nacino as the Prince
All in all, Bench Under the Stars will come down in history as another successful Bench campaign. The show was extravagant, decadent and theatrical. Done biennial, we can't help but look forward to what tricks and gimmicks they will come up in their sleeves in the next two years..
17. Richard Gutierrez came out from an avalanche of colorful beach parasols fully clothed and a fan can't help but verbally announced his disappointment when he said " .... Ay wala man lang tinanggal?"
18. Maine Mendoza stole the thunder right under Wynwyn Marquez nose when she made a grand entrance carried by 5 men making her looked like a queen (a Cleopatra of sort). I thought Wynwyn was the queen (having been crowned Reina Hispano Americana 2017). But to Maine's credit, the rowdy crowd joined the chanting bandwagon making her the darling of the night.
19. It is quite amusing to see Paul Guarnes and Andrea Biondo battling for position when 15 male models advanced to escort Maine Mendoza to the front. It was a race among these men and the winner will be given the chance to sashay side by side with Maine and be in the spotlight. Paul was fast and quick,(he should have elbowed his opponents) but despite his fervid efforts his co-models outlive him. In the end the only thing Paul can do is akbayan ang kasama niyang male model para makasabay siya otherwise he will be left behind..
20. Andrea Biondo on the other hand doesn't have a clue. Chase Dasalla need to tell him that when in the Philippines, you have to do what Pinoys do. If the scene calls for models to walk side by side with Maine, then make the effort to be in front even though there's fifteen of you. Otherwise you will be relegated to the back, and nobody will see you ... and that's what exactly happens to him.
21. In the same group of Paul and Andrea was Mark Andrew Baron who also stood up, being the only moreno. "Ay ... ang ganda ng kulay niya ..." a lady fan was heard swooning. I told her, " Mark Andrew is my friend ... " She craned her neck and told me, "Ok ... from now on ... I will be your friend too!"
22: I am sorry but Bianca King and Beauty Gonzalez looked like they're too old to be included in the show. As one fan said, "they are already out of the league ..."
23. Derrick Monasterio on the last thread came out and was meet with silence. There was no screaming and no funfare so unlike the others. No Derrick fans in the audience? Or there was silence because everybody had their tongue tied or their jaw dropped ... admiring his totality.
24. And just like previous Bench shows. there were models who resorted to gimmicks loaded with sexual coloring to get attention. For one, Addy Raj grabbed his crotch and everyone was in cloud nine and Paulo Avelino enticed the audience if they want him to jump out of his jumpers. Rocco Nacino showed he is "gifted"... and has a chubby cuteness nobody can't ignore. There were more similar instances recorded in this show that if I am going to write them one by one, I will loss count.
25. The fan who was swooning over Mark Andrew Baron later came back to me and remarked: "I heard Mark Andrew Baron is a teacher too ... If Pietro Boselli is the sexiest Math teacher of Italy, does that make Mark Andrew the sexiest Math teacher of the Philippines?" I have enough of this girl!
26. Reel and real life couples provided the cheesy kilig moments (Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia, Ken Chan and Ash Ortega) the gimmicks utilized have already fungus and molds in them but the fans cheered giving you the impression that this ludicrous tactics SELLS!
27. Other young stars came unescorted. Julia Montes came without Coco Martin; Julia Barretto but no Joshua or Ronnie, Maine Mendoza came sans Alden Richards.and Tom Rodriguez but no Dennis Trillo. At the end of the segment Tom has Rocco Nacino in his arms instead. Enrique Gil however had a different story to tell. Liza Soberano was spotted in the audience adding more spice and paranoia that there's more to it than meets the eye.
28. The public was in limbo whether Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis who were regular Bench fixtures in the past will make their grand entrances. But they were a no-show. On the other hand Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa signed up with Bayo so it is a big no-no .... besides she was still in Japan.
29. Jake Cuenca used to lord it over in the Bench Thong Department. Have you forgotten how netizen's feasted in all his naked glory two years back? With his departure, two heirs apparent came from oblivion, and they were equally successful ...
gauging from fans overwhelming reception and the media mileage that they received.
Obviously I am referring to Markki Stroem as the new King and Rocco Nacino as the Prince
All in all, Bench Under the Stars will come down in history as another successful Bench campaign. The show was extravagant, decadent and theatrical. Done biennial, we can't help but look forward to what tricks and gimmicks they will come up in their sleeves in the next two years..
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