Before the big show on Saturday, we take a look back at some of the underwear and denim show’s most iconic moments.
The BENCH/ underwear and denim show has been a pop culture phenomenon since the beginning of the new millennium. Nothing gets an arena filled to the brim screaming on the top of their lungs quite like their favorite celebrities strutting down the runway in nothing but their underwear. The biennial show skipped its schedule last year, but is back this weekend, bigger and better, just in time for BENCH/’s 30th anniversary. And as we celebrate this momentous milestone in the brand’s history, we take a look back at some of the underwear and denim show’s most memorable highlights.
2000: Brief Encounter
The first underwear show has the distinction of being held in two places, the first being the World Trade Center in Pasay City, and the second being the Waterfront Hotel-Lahug in Cebu City. The image of Jomari Yllana plastered on billboards in tighty whities had been seared into the public’s collective memory, and it was ready for something bigger and better: a monumental event that would soon become part of Philippine pop culture canon.
2002: One Night Only
The underwear and denim show found its new home in Araneta Coliseum, where it would be held for the next several years. The show was brought to life by fashion show director Ariel Lozada and stylist Michael Salientes. The show, of course, featured the biggest names in show business: Assunta de Rossi, Lucy Torres, and Jomari Yllana were just some of the celebrities that conquered the runway.
2004: Understatement
To say that the 2004 show was hot is, well, an understatement. It was sizzling. Understatement featured some of the sexiest models and celebrities, fit like they were ready to take on the world, replete with abs of steel and legs for days. Highlights include BENCH/ Body icons Marc Nelson, Andrew Wolfe, Diether Ocampo, Francine Prieto, and of course, the OG himself, Richard Gomez.
2006: BENCH/ Fever
The 2006 show was all about disco, baby. It was a boogie wonderland filled with disco ball galore, from its ad campaigns to the actual show. Apart from the usual suspects, a unique highlight of the night was definitely Ai Ai de las Alas strutting down the runway with a disco ball atop her head. Groovy.
2008: Blackout
The fifth iteration of the underwear and denim show saw two iconic moments. The first was designer Lesly Mobo’s collaboration with BENCH/ Body, which featured sleek and sexy black underwear with distinct waistband logos and patterns. The second was Dingdong Dantes’s debut on the BENCH/ Body stage. Preview Magazine recounts the moment: “[He] tore his trousers and revealed his tiny undies right before the, well, blackout.” You can probably still hear the screams from the arena today.
2010: Uncut
Opulence, opulence, opulence: 2010’s Uncut did not, well, cut any corners. For this year, BENCH/ collaborated with four highly reverent (and luxurious!) designers: Michael Cinco, Furne One, Ezra Santos, and Val Taguba. There were many variations of gold and silver on the stage and in the outfits, but some standouts were Karylle, Gerald Anderson, Christian Bautista, Kim Chiu, and Katrina Halili, all dripping in luxury on the BENCH/ Body stage.
Uncut is divided into five segments featuring the exquisite cultures of five different countries/continents—the Philippines, Far East, Brazil, Africa, and Russia. Each segment also features a top fashion designer who created the costumes of the models and celebrities who participated in the fashion show. They are Cary Santiago (Pinoy Lab), Furne One (Far East), Val Taguba (Brazil), Ezra Santos (Africa), and Michael Cinco (Russia).
PINOY LAB. The Pinoy Lab segment opened up the fashion show with matinee idol Dingdong Dantes waving the Philippine flag. Dingdong, who stripped to his underwear in the Bench Blackout fashion show two years ago, was very much covered this time. But that was enough to excite the fans inside the Big Dome and set the tone for the evening.
Aside from Dingdong, the other celebrities who walked on the ramp during the Pinoy Lab segment were Pinoy Big Brother Double Up ex-housemates Sam Pinto and Tom Rodriguez; Are You The Next Big Star runner-up and commercial model Alex Castro; model-actor Joseph Marco; and Star Magic talent Rodjun Cruz.
Kris Bernal was joined by John Prats and Sam Concepcion; while Coco Martin and Diether Ocampo got the crowd in hysteria by their mere presence.
FAR EAST. Part 2 was the Far East segment with China’s top male model Ji Huan Bo leading the pack.
He was soon followed by hunks Ron Morales, John James Uy, Jon Avila, Jon Hall, and Andrew Wolff; singers Karylle and Christian Bautista; StarStruck graduates Paulo Avelino, Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati, Enzo Pineda, Diva Montelaba, and Rocco Nacino; Survivor Philippines castways Shaun Rodriguez and Suzuki Sadatsugu; actor AJ Dee; teen heartthrobs Robi Domingo and David Chua; sexy stars Iwa Moto, Iya Villania, and Zanjoe Marudo.
The loveteam of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, wearing elaborate costumes, closed the segment.
BRAZIL. The show reached its peak during the Brazil segment.
Kapuso sexy actress Katrina Halili, who was surprisingly well-received by the crowd inside the Big Dome, was the first celebrity to appear.
She was immediately followed by Be Bench winner Carl Guevara; Eurasian model Benjamin Tang; returnees Rafael Rosell and Andrew Wolff; Wowowee girls RR Enriquez, Saicy Aguila, and April “Congratulations” Gustilo.
Wendell Ramos remains to be one of the biggest attractions in the Bench fashion shows. The 31-year-old actor wore the skimpiest underwear of all the celebrities that night, showing his flawless buttocks to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile, comedienne Pokwang almost stole the show with her grand entrance. Wearing a feathery gown which covered almost all parts of her body, the Wowowee co-host passed through a sea of almost naked gorgeous Caucasian models lying on the floor on her way to the ramp.
Pokwang was followed by Carla Abellana and Enchong Dee.
AFRICA. The next segment was Africa where a line of naked men paraded on stage.
Joining in this part of the fashion show are beauty queen-actress Margaret Wilson, comebacking actor Railey Valeroso, Prince of R&B Jay-R, actor-model Victor Aliwalas, young comedian Thou Reyes, and actor-singer Nico Antonio.
One of the highlights of this segment is the appearance of the PBB Double Up Big 5 housemates: Paul Jake Castillo, Johan Santos, Tibo Jumalon, and the funny pair of Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros.
Kapuso hunk Aljur Abrenica, on his first appearance as a Bench model, was the finale of this segment.
RUSSIA. The last part of the show was the Russia segment.
Print and commercial model Georgina Wilson came out in a Cinderella-like carriage with male models in their undies escorting her on her way down.
Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee both returned on this segment, as well as Jon Avila, Rafael Rosell, and Andrew Wolff. The other celebrities who appeared on this segment are TV5 hunk JC de Vera; Are You The Next Big Star winners Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor; StarStruck’s Prince Stefan and Dex Quindoza; and Kapamilya young stars Ejay Falcon, Rayver Cruz, and Shaina Magdayao.
Jake Cuenca, was the finale. He entered the stage with a crown and a massive blue robe like a Russian czar. Two topless female models accompanied him in removing his crown and robe, revealing Jake in his almost-naked glory.
But Jake was not yet finished. He walked back to the far end of the stage, turned his back, took off his white brief, until only a supporter was left to cover his private part. That certainly brought the house down.
Each segment is also incorporated by elaborate musical numbers to show the history and culture of these countries. Marc Abaya, Vina Morales, and Robert Seña provided the song numbers while the L.A. Dancers and local dance groups provided the dance numbers.
After this, all the models, performers, and celebrities returned to the stage for the curtain call. The five fashion designers and Bench big boss Ben Chan also took the stage to be acknowledged.
Uncut was directed by Johnny Manahan, with Robbie Carmona as the fashion and stage director, Joane Laygo as choreographer.
TILI METER. One of the most interesting parts in a Bench fashion show is finding out the stars who got the loudest cheers and applause from the audience. This also becomes a useful tool to gauge how popular or hot a celebrity is.
The response of the crowd also depends on the gimmick that a celebrity does on stage to get attention—like touching their crotch, showing their butt, etc.—and we saw some of these moments last night. But in most some cases, a star power is enough to elicit a response from the audience.
Based on last night’s Uncut, it was quite obvious that Kapamilya stars are more popular than their Kapuso counterparts—at least to the people who trooped to the Big Dome.
The ABS-CBN stars who elicited the loudest cheers were Coco Martin, Diether Ocampo, Zanjoe Marudo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Rafael Rosell (by doing a back flip and putting his hand inside his underwear), Pokwang, Enchong Dee, Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros, and of course, Jake Cuenca.
On the other hand, Dingdong Dantes was the top crowd-drawer among the Kapuso stars. Wendell Ramos and Aljur Abrenica also got overwhelming response from the people. The Araneta crowd also gave Katrina Halili, who just came from a sex-video controversy, a very warm reception.
As for the others, either the background music was just too loud or they simply went unnoticed.
STARS IN THE CROWD. The number of stars who walked on the ramp almost equaled the number of celebrities who watched the fashion show inside the Big Dome.
2012: BENCH/ Universe
By the time 2012 rolled along, the BENCH/ underwear and denim show had gotten so hot that it could not be contained. BENCH/ Universe had the distinction of running for two nights. Yup, two nights. It saw an epic entrance by Dingdong Dantes on a boat wearing a hooded cape, and Coco Martin drawing millions of screams in the highest decibels, despite being fully clothed in a tank top and jeans, proving that being sexy doesn’t always mean showing skin.
To recall, TV host and VJ Robi Domingo is no longer a endorser of this clothing line. This is the truth about him that he did not miss any BENCH and BENCH/Body campaigns and denim and underwear show. Sources to newspapers, tabloids and websites that the former Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus runner up and Ateneo de Manila University graduate is no longer renewing his contract with Bench.
He also took part in "Uncut: A Bold Look at the Future" Denim and Underwear Show at the Araneta Coliseum when he tore his sando in the Furne One's Far East segment.
A Twitter user who said "Nakakatawa yung ginawa ni Robi Domingo sa Bench Uncut."
The loveteam of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, wearing elaborate costumes, closed the segment.
BRAZIL. The show reached its peak during the Brazil segment.
Kapuso sexy actress Katrina Halili, who was surprisingly well-received by the crowd inside the Big Dome, was the first celebrity to appear.
She was immediately followed by Be Bench winner Carl Guevara; Eurasian model Benjamin Tang; returnees Rafael Rosell and Andrew Wolff; Wowowee girls RR Enriquez, Saicy Aguila, and April “Congratulations” Gustilo.
Wendell Ramos remains to be one of the biggest attractions in the Bench fashion shows. The 31-year-old actor wore the skimpiest underwear of all the celebrities that night, showing his flawless buttocks to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile, comedienne Pokwang almost stole the show with her grand entrance. Wearing a feathery gown which covered almost all parts of her body, the Wowowee co-host passed through a sea of almost naked gorgeous Caucasian models lying on the floor on her way to the ramp.
Pokwang was followed by Kapuso actress Carla Abellana and Kapamilya heartthrob Enchong Dee.
AFRICA. The next segment was Africa where a line of naked men paraded on stage.
Joining in this part of the fashion show are beauty queen-actress Margaret Wilson, comebacking actor Railey Valeroso, Prince of R&B Jay-R, actor-model Victor Aliwalas, young comedian Thou Reyes, and actor-singer Nico Antonio.
One of the highlights of this segment is the appearance of the PBB Double Up Big 5 housemates: Paul Jake Castillo, Johan Santos, Tibo Jumalon, and the funny pair of Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros.
Kapuso hunk Aljur Abrenica, on his first appearance as a Bench model, was the finale of this segment.
RUSSIA. The last part of the show was the Russia segment.
Print and commercial model Georgina Wilson came out in a Cinderella-like carriage with male models in their undies escorting her on her way down.
Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee both returned on this segment, as well as Jon Avila, Rafael Rosell, and Andrew Wolff. The other celebrities who appeared on this segment are TV5 hunk JC de Vera; Are You The Next Big Star winners Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor; StarStruck’s Prince Stefan and Dex Quindoza; and Kapamilya young stars Ejay Falcon, Rayver Cruz, and Shaina Magdayao.
Aside from Domingo, other celebrities and models such as Precious Adona, Asia Agcaoili, Carlene Aguilar, Marco Alcaraz, Gerald Anderson, Antonio Aquitania, Jon Avila, Phoemela Baranda, Benj Basa, James Blanco, Kris Bernal, Gian Carlos, Albie Casiño, Nancy Castiglione, David Chua, Geneva Cruz, John Lloyd Cruz, Rodjun Cruz, Janvier Daily, Franco Daza, Alessandra de Rossi, JC de Vera, Jenine Desiderio, Wilma Doesnt, Lalaine Edson-Forgham, Ryan Eigenmann, John Estrada, Ejay Falcon, Frencheska Farr, Tanya Garcia-Lapid, Rachelle Ann Go, Katrina Halili, Jon Hall, Kristine Hermosa-Sotto, Brent Javier, Luke Jickain, Bianca King, Doug Kramer, Maureen Larrazabal, Mikee Lee, Xian Lim, Ehra Madrigal, Michelle Madrigal, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Robby Mananquil, Zanjoe Marudo, Alicia Mayer, Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada, Don Mendoza, Sam Milby, Carlos Morales, Ron Morales, Iwa Moto, Marc Nelson, Kristine Nieto, Juliana Palermo, Angelica Panganiban, Bubbles Paraiso, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Tyrone Perez, Sam Pinto, Cassandra Ponti, Camille Prats, John Prats, Francine Prieto, Bruce Quebral, Dex Quindoza, Rufa Mae Quinto, Wendell Ramos, Iago Raterta, Keanna Reeves, Rafael Rosell, Johan Santos, Jome Silayan, Jay-R Siliona, Prince Stefan, Geoff Taylor, John James Uy, Nicole Uysiuseng, Alfred Vargas, Iya Villania, Corey Wills, Maggie Wilson, Valerie Weigmann, AJ Winkler and Jomari Yllana are not attending during the event, but a year later when de Vera and Falcon made a Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash runway out of "Gandang Gabi Vice" stage.
Lalo pa siyang nagiging hot kapag, sabi nga ni Vice Ganda... yan ang nagparate sa dugong buhay, di ba? "hubad, hubad, hubad, baril, baril, baril! ganon?" moments niya hehehe!
But the young actor says he is ready for butt exposures and love scenes with another man.
He was very careful though, requesting his manager to clear the room and leave him and the photographer to complete his most daring project yet. When asked why the sudden shift to the sexy route after exposing skin in two magazines in less than 5 months, JC owe this to his perfect shape. "Na prepare yung katawan ko. Very confident naman ako na gawin kasi prepared ako. I am ready to flaunt," says the actor.
But is this the direction his new mother network wants him to have? "Ever since naman masipag talaga akong mag workout, mag showcase sa kung anong meron ako. Nung lumipat ako sa ABS-CBN, siguro mas madaming naka appreciate kung anong meron ako," he explained further. JC was quick in saying though that there is still limit in his showing of skin saying "Pa sundot-sundot yung mga sexy but not all the time."
Asked though how far can he go when it comes to baring, de Vera said it depends on the material, how his character in a movie is built and the objective of his involvement in a project. Even if it requires making love with a man, JC said that those are his only rules. "Depende sa selling point nung film. Kung ibebenta ako as sexy, hindi. But if needed talaga siya ng character, kakayanin ko kung hanggang saan ang itatakbo ng role," he said.
"Butt exposure, hindi siya issue sakin. Sa Hollywood naman kasi, yung butt exposure normal lang sila. Pag kailangan talaga sa character, hindi ako magdadalawang isip. Pero pag ang indie film may pagka porn na ang dating, di siguro," he explained further.
JC is also excited that aside from his drama series "The Legal Wife" with Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales and Maja Salvador, he is set to appear in a sexy noontime soap also on ABS-CBN. With the working title "Moon of Desire", JC is set to work with sexy actresses Ellen Adarna and Meg Imperial. When asked to describe his newest project, the actor referred to it as "sexy and sensual." "Expect nila na madami silang makikita na skin."
2014: The Naked Truth
The most recent show, The Naked Truth, was nothing short of a real spectacle. The different sights and sounds of the varying segments filled the MOA Arena, as Solenn, Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, along with the biggest stars walked down the runway. Probably drawing the most cheers and screams, however, was Tom Rodriguez pulling his briefs down the sides, leaving very little to the imagination. Our ears are still ringing from the screaming fans.
The BENCH/ underwear and denim show has been a pop culture phenomenon since the beginning of the new millennium. Nothing gets an arena filled to the brim screaming on the top of their lungs quite like their favorite celebrities strutting down the runway in nothing but their underwear. The biennial show skipped its schedule last year, but is back this weekend, bigger and better, just in time for BENCH/’s 30th anniversary. And as we celebrate this momentous milestone in the brand’s history, we take a look back at some of the underwear and denim show’s most memorable highlights.
2000: Brief Encounter
The first underwear show has the distinction of being held in two places, the first being the World Trade Center in Pasay City, and the second being the Waterfront Hotel-Lahug in Cebu City. The image of Jomari Yllana plastered on billboards in tighty whities had been seared into the public’s collective memory, and it was ready for something bigger and better: a monumental event that would soon become part of Philippine pop culture canon.
2002: One Night Only
The underwear and denim show found its new home in Araneta Coliseum, where it would be held for the next several years. The show was brought to life by fashion show director Ariel Lozada and stylist Michael Salientes. The show, of course, featured the biggest names in show business: Assunta de Rossi, Lucy Torres, and Jomari Yllana were just some of the celebrities that conquered the runway.
2004: Understatement
To say that the 2004 show was hot is, well, an understatement. It was sizzling. Understatement featured some of the sexiest models and celebrities, fit like they were ready to take on the world, replete with abs of steel and legs for days. Highlights include BENCH/ Body icons Marc Nelson, Andrew Wolfe, Diether Ocampo, Francine Prieto, and of course, the OG himself, Richard Gomez.
2006: BENCH/ Fever
The 2006 show was all about disco, baby. It was a boogie wonderland filled with disco ball galore, from its ad campaigns to the actual show. Apart from the usual suspects, a unique highlight of the night was definitely Ai Ai de las Alas strutting down the runway with a disco ball atop her head. Groovy.
2008: Blackout
The fifth iteration of the underwear and denim show saw two iconic moments. The first was designer Lesly Mobo’s collaboration with BENCH/ Body, which featured sleek and sexy black underwear with distinct waistband logos and patterns. The second was Dingdong Dantes’s debut on the BENCH/ Body stage. Preview Magazine recounts the moment: “[He] tore his trousers and revealed his tiny undies right before the, well, blackout.” You can probably still hear the screams from the arena today.
2010: Uncut
Opulence, opulence, opulence: 2010’s Uncut did not, well, cut any corners. For this year, BENCH/ collaborated with four highly reverent (and luxurious!) designers: Michael Cinco, Furne One, Ezra Santos, and Val Taguba. There were many variations of gold and silver on the stage and in the outfits, but some standouts were Karylle, Gerald Anderson, Christian Bautista, Kim Chiu, and Katrina Halili, all dripping in luxury on the BENCH/ Body stage.
Uncut is divided into five segments featuring the exquisite cultures of five different countries/continents—the Philippines, Far East, Brazil, Africa, and Russia. Each segment also features a top fashion designer who created the costumes of the models and celebrities who participated in the fashion show. They are Cary Santiago (Pinoy Lab), Furne One (Far East), Val Taguba (Brazil), Ezra Santos (Africa), and Michael Cinco (Russia).
PINOY LAB. The Pinoy Lab segment opened up the fashion show with matinee idol Dingdong Dantes waving the Philippine flag. Dingdong, who stripped to his underwear in the Bench Blackout fashion show two years ago, was very much covered this time. But that was enough to excite the fans inside the Big Dome and set the tone for the evening.
Aside from Dingdong, the other celebrities who walked on the ramp during the Pinoy Lab segment were Pinoy Big Brother Double Up ex-housemates Sam Pinto and Tom Rodriguez; Are You The Next Big Star runner-up and commercial model Alex Castro; model-actor Joseph Marco; and Star Magic talent Rodjun Cruz.
Kris Bernal was joined by John Prats and Sam Concepcion; while Coco Martin and Diether Ocampo got the crowd in hysteria by their mere presence.
FAR EAST. Part 2 was the Far East segment with China’s top male model Ji Huan Bo leading the pack.
He was soon followed by hunks Ron Morales, John James Uy, Jon Avila, Jon Hall, and Andrew Wolff; singers Karylle and Christian Bautista; StarStruck graduates Paulo Avelino, Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati, Enzo Pineda, Diva Montelaba, and Rocco Nacino; Survivor Philippines castways Shaun Rodriguez and Suzuki Sadatsugu; actor AJ Dee; teen heartthrobs Robi Domingo and David Chua; sexy stars Iwa Moto, Iya Villania, and Zanjoe Marudo.
The loveteam of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, wearing elaborate costumes, closed the segment.
BRAZIL. The show reached its peak during the Brazil segment.
Kapuso sexy actress Katrina Halili, who was surprisingly well-received by the crowd inside the Big Dome, was the first celebrity to appear.
She was immediately followed by Be Bench winner Carl Guevara; Eurasian model Benjamin Tang; returnees Rafael Rosell and Andrew Wolff; Wowowee girls RR Enriquez, Saicy Aguila, and April “Congratulations” Gustilo.
Wendell Ramos remains to be one of the biggest attractions in the Bench fashion shows. The 31-year-old actor wore the skimpiest underwear of all the celebrities that night, showing his flawless buttocks to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile, comedienne Pokwang almost stole the show with her grand entrance. Wearing a feathery gown which covered almost all parts of her body, the Wowowee co-host passed through a sea of almost naked gorgeous Caucasian models lying on the floor on her way to the ramp.
Pokwang was followed by Carla Abellana and Enchong Dee.
AFRICA. The next segment was Africa where a line of naked men paraded on stage.
Joining in this part of the fashion show are beauty queen-actress Margaret Wilson, comebacking actor Railey Valeroso, Prince of R&B Jay-R, actor-model Victor Aliwalas, young comedian Thou Reyes, and actor-singer Nico Antonio.
One of the highlights of this segment is the appearance of the PBB Double Up Big 5 housemates: Paul Jake Castillo, Johan Santos, Tibo Jumalon, and the funny pair of Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros.
Kapuso hunk Aljur Abrenica, on his first appearance as a Bench model, was the finale of this segment.
RUSSIA. The last part of the show was the Russia segment.
Print and commercial model Georgina Wilson came out in a Cinderella-like carriage with male models in their undies escorting her on her way down.
Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee both returned on this segment, as well as Jon Avila, Rafael Rosell, and Andrew Wolff. The other celebrities who appeared on this segment are TV5 hunk JC de Vera; Are You The Next Big Star winners Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor; StarStruck’s Prince Stefan and Dex Quindoza; and Kapamilya young stars Ejay Falcon, Rayver Cruz, and Shaina Magdayao.
Jake Cuenca, was the finale. He entered the stage with a crown and a massive blue robe like a Russian czar. Two topless female models accompanied him in removing his crown and robe, revealing Jake in his almost-naked glory.
But Jake was not yet finished. He walked back to the far end of the stage, turned his back, took off his white brief, until only a supporter was left to cover his private part. That certainly brought the house down.
Each segment is also incorporated by elaborate musical numbers to show the history and culture of these countries. Marc Abaya, Vina Morales, and Robert Seña provided the song numbers while the L.A. Dancers and local dance groups provided the dance numbers.
After this, all the models, performers, and celebrities returned to the stage for the curtain call. The five fashion designers and Bench big boss Ben Chan also took the stage to be acknowledged.
Uncut was directed by Johnny Manahan, with Robbie Carmona as the fashion and stage director, Joane Laygo as choreographer.
TILI METER. One of the most interesting parts in a Bench fashion show is finding out the stars who got the loudest cheers and applause from the audience. This also becomes a useful tool to gauge how popular or hot a celebrity is.
The response of the crowd also depends on the gimmick that a celebrity does on stage to get attention—like touching their crotch, showing their butt, etc.—and we saw some of these moments last night. But in most some cases, a star power is enough to elicit a response from the audience.
Based on last night’s Uncut, it was quite obvious that Kapamilya stars are more popular than their Kapuso counterparts—at least to the people who trooped to the Big Dome.
The ABS-CBN stars who elicited the loudest cheers were Coco Martin, Diether Ocampo, Zanjoe Marudo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Rafael Rosell (by doing a back flip and putting his hand inside his underwear), Pokwang, Enchong Dee, Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros, and of course, Jake Cuenca.
On the other hand, Dingdong Dantes was the top crowd-drawer among the Kapuso stars. Wendell Ramos and Aljur Abrenica also got overwhelming response from the people. The Araneta crowd also gave Katrina Halili, who just came from a sex-video controversy, a very warm reception.
As for the others, either the background music was just too loud or they simply went unnoticed.
STARS IN THE CROWD. The number of stars who walked on the ramp almost equaled the number of celebrities who watched the fashion show inside the Big Dome.
2012: BENCH/ Universe
By the time 2012 rolled along, the BENCH/ underwear and denim show had gotten so hot that it could not be contained. BENCH/ Universe had the distinction of running for two nights. Yup, two nights. It saw an epic entrance by Dingdong Dantes on a boat wearing a hooded cape, and Coco Martin drawing millions of screams in the highest decibels, despite being fully clothed in a tank top and jeans, proving that being sexy doesn’t always mean showing skin.
To recall, TV host and VJ Robi Domingo is no longer a endorser of this clothing line. This is the truth about him that he did not miss any BENCH and BENCH/Body campaigns and denim and underwear show. Sources to newspapers, tabloids and websites that the former Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus runner up and Ateneo de Manila University graduate is no longer renewing his contract with Bench.
He also took part in "Uncut: A Bold Look at the Future" Denim and Underwear Show at the Araneta Coliseum when he tore his sando in the Furne One's Far East segment.
A Twitter user who said "Nakakatawa yung ginawa ni Robi Domingo sa Bench Uncut."
BRAZIL. The show reached its peak during the Brazil segment.
Kapuso sexy actress Katrina Halili, who was surprisingly well-received by the crowd inside the Big Dome, was the first celebrity to appear.
She was immediately followed by Be Bench winner Carl Guevara; Eurasian model Benjamin Tang; returnees Rafael Rosell and Andrew Wolff; Wowowee girls RR Enriquez, Saicy Aguila, and April “Congratulations” Gustilo.
Wendell Ramos remains to be one of the biggest attractions in the Bench fashion shows. The 31-year-old actor wore the skimpiest underwear of all the celebrities that night, showing his flawless buttocks to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile, comedienne Pokwang almost stole the show with her grand entrance. Wearing a feathery gown which covered almost all parts of her body, the Wowowee co-host passed through a sea of almost naked gorgeous Caucasian models lying on the floor on her way to the ramp.
Pokwang was followed by Kapuso actress Carla Abellana and Kapamilya heartthrob Enchong Dee.
AFRICA. The next segment was Africa where a line of naked men paraded on stage.
Joining in this part of the fashion show are beauty queen-actress Margaret Wilson, comebacking actor Railey Valeroso, Prince of R&B Jay-R, actor-model Victor Aliwalas, young comedian Thou Reyes, and actor-singer Nico Antonio.
One of the highlights of this segment is the appearance of the PBB Double Up Big 5 housemates: Paul Jake Castillo, Johan Santos, Tibo Jumalon, and the funny pair of Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros.
Kapuso hunk Aljur Abrenica, on his first appearance as a Bench model, was the finale of this segment.
RUSSIA. The last part of the show was the Russia segment.
Print and commercial model Georgina Wilson came out in a Cinderella-like carriage with male models in their undies escorting her on her way down.
Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee both returned on this segment, as well as Jon Avila, Rafael Rosell, and Andrew Wolff. The other celebrities who appeared on this segment are TV5 hunk JC de Vera; Are You The Next Big Star winners Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor; StarStruck’s Prince Stefan and Dex Quindoza; and Kapamilya young stars Ejay Falcon, Rayver Cruz, and Shaina Magdayao.
Lalo pa siyang nagiging hot kapag, sabi nga ni Vice Ganda... yan ang nagparate sa dugong buhay, di ba? "hubad, hubad, hubad, baril, baril, baril! ganon?" moments niya hehehe!
There were still criticisms or negative thoughts about it, even though Marco, Gerald, Tony A., Jon, Phem, Benj, Hermes, Kris, Gian, Albie, Nancy, David, Carlos, Geneva, John Lloyd, Rodjun, Janvier, Franco, Alessandra, JC, AJ, Robi, John E., Ejay, Frencheska, Rachelle Ann, EA, Katrina, Kristine, Brent, Luke, Tibo, Bianca, Doug, Maureen, Mikee, Xian, Zanjoe, Priscilla, Don, Sam M., Sam P., Cass, Camille, John P., Francine, Bruce, Dex, Rufa Mae, Keanna, Rafael, Johan, Victor S., Jay-R, Prince, Geoff, John James Nicole, Alfred, Iya, Maggie, Valerie, AJ W., Jomari, Kerbie and many others already appeared in this event.
Bukod kina Ejay at JC, ilan dito sa mga celebrities na rumampa sa mga Bench denim and underwear shows noong 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 at 2012 ay sina Marco Alcaraz, Gerald Anderson, Jon Avila, Phoemela Baranda, Hermes Bautista, Kris Bernal, James Blanco, Albie Casiño, David Chua, Sam Concepcion, Rayver Cruz, Jake Cuenca, Alessandra de Rossi, AJ Dee, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Katrina Halili, Brent Javier, Luke Jickain, Tibo Jumalon, Karylle, Kian Kazemi, Bianca King, Doug Kramer, Maureen Larrazabal, Mikee Lee, Xian Lim, Ehra Madrigal, Michelle Madrigal, Shaina Magdayao, Zanjoe Marudo, Jessy Mendiola, Don Mendoza, Sam Milby, Carlos Morales, Ron Morales, Diether Ocampo, Angelica Panganiban, Bubbles Paraiso, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Sam Pinto, Cassandra Ponti, Camille Prats, John Prats, Francine Prieto, Bruce Quebral, Rufa Mae Quinto, Wendell Ramos, Rafael Rosell, Johan Santos, Jome Silayan, Jay-R Siliona, John James Uy, Arron Villaflor, Iya Villania, Valerie Weigmann at AJ Wrinkler.
He was very careful though, requesting his manager to clear the room and leave him and the photographer to complete his most daring project yet. When asked why the sudden shift to the sexy route after exposing skin in two magazines in less than 5 months, JC owe this to his perfect shape. "Na prepare yung katawan ko. Very confident naman ako na gawin kasi prepared ako. I am ready to flaunt," says the actor.
But is this the direction his new mother network wants him to have? "Ever since naman masipag talaga akong mag workout, mag showcase sa kung anong meron ako. Nung lumipat ako sa ABS-CBN, siguro mas madaming naka appreciate kung anong meron ako," he explained further. JC was quick in saying though that there is still limit in his showing of skin saying "Pa sundot-sundot yung mga sexy but not all the time."
Asked though how far can he go when it comes to baring, de Vera said it depends on the material, how his character in a movie is built and the objective of his involvement in a project. Even if it requires making love with a man, JC said that those are his only rules. "Depende sa selling point nung film. Kung ibebenta ako as sexy, hindi. But if needed talaga siya ng character, kakayanin ko kung hanggang saan ang itatakbo ng role," he said.
"Butt exposure, hindi siya issue sakin. Sa Hollywood naman kasi, yung butt exposure normal lang sila. Pag kailangan talaga sa character, hindi ako magdadalawang isip. Pero pag ang indie film may pagka porn na ang dating, di siguro," he explained further.
JC is also excited that aside from his drama series "The Legal Wife" with Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales and Maja Salvador, he is set to appear in a sexy noontime soap also on ABS-CBN. With the working title "Moon of Desire", JC is set to work with sexy actresses Ellen Adarna and Meg Imperial. When asked to describe his newest project, the actor referred to it as "sexy and sensual." "Expect nila na madami silang makikita na skin."
The most recent show, The Naked Truth, was nothing short of a real spectacle. The different sights and sounds of the varying segments filled the MOA Arena, as Solenn, Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, along with the biggest stars walked down the runway. Probably drawing the most cheers and screams, however, was Tom Rodriguez pulling his briefs down the sides, leaving very little to the imagination. Our ears are still ringing from the screaming fans.
