Richard Gomez: The Original Bench Guy

Before BENCH became the name it is today they had their first image model in Richard Gomez.  

Richard became the BENCH icon that epitomized the image of succeeding male models.  His first TV ad for the clothing company (titled The Sculler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2KbwgrwbQE) received the Best Cinematography Award in the 1991 Ad Congress.  Needless to say Richard's career  grew with the company---a partnership that still holds true to this day.

Richard Gomez in last night's Bench Denim and Under wear Show
at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Bench Universe: The 2012 Denim and Underwear Show Day 2

I have had my sights on the Bench Universe:  The 2012 Denim and Underwear Show ever since the dates were made official and swore to myself that not unless there is a natural disaster (or my wife not agreeing) this is an event I would not miss to attend!  In order to address the other issue, I brought along the wife with me so there would be no more discussion about it.  

The event was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay from September 13-14, 2012.  We took the Friday slot so that it won't be a hassle worrying about work the following day.  One thing I failed to consider was the capacity of my 200mm lens to capture quality pictures in a distant vantage point and settled for a general patronage seat.  It was disappointing for me at the very start once I realized this mistake but I still took the pictures and a couple of videos to make sense of all the effort to make it happen.

No, there were no Manny and Jinky Pacquiao to grace the event (like the first day) but I guess I didn't really mind them not attending.  

The show lasted a little more than an hour.  It had great special effects accompanied with music that made your heart pumping but most of all it showcased an army of beautiful men and women in undergarments!  My wife had a blast seeing Jake Cuenca, Diether Ocampo, Dingdong Dantes, and Aljur Abrenica with their six pack abs!  

Jake and his bare ass on t-back undies!

Me, I was sulking because I felt that I was too far off and after Lovi Poe came on stage I just stopped taking pictures.  There were many sexy women but the distance couldn't tell you who really got the look.  The big screens just confused my concentration and I felt my eyeballs looking at different directions! 

Taken outside of the event.

My wife made a very interesting observation---the show seemed to have more male exposure than females!  Well, it IS Ben Chan's company, right?  So what do you expect?

Walang Hanggan...

I'm not into watching telenovelas but due to a family filled with avid watchers there are times when there is nothing else to do and I'm stuck in front of the TV set.  Anyway, last Monday was the pilot episode of Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez's TV comeback "Walang Hanggan" and I was able to get a glimpse of its story line.  

Basically, Marco (Richard Gomez) and Emily (Dawn Zulueta) are ill-fated lovers who failed the test of life's circumstances.  Fast forward 20 years (based on the looks of the new set of characters played by Coco Martin and Julia Montes) and two star-crossed lovers try to go through the same path as that of Marco and Emily.

While I must admit that growing up during the Dawn and Richard era there is still that "kilig" effect (especially when I saw how my wife reacted to the pilot) but what doesn't sit with me is that the young Emily and Marco where played by Dawn and Richard which we all know are already beyond their 40's.  Personally I felt stupid watching it!  The funny thing is when the story goes 20 years forward---the only difference in terms of appearance was that Emily now dons a rich woman's outfit!  

This also goes the same with Susan Roces and Helen Gamboa.  Did hairdo alone make the 20 year difference?  At their age right now plus 20 years should have made them 90 years old!