Bench draws crowd during Philippine Fashion Week

Ben Chan, the proud owner of Bench, was one happy guy last Sunday, May 26, at the fashion show of the famed clothing brand during the Philippine Fashion Week. According to the people who witnessed the event at the SMX Convention Center, the Bench show attracted the most number of viewers. While the event did not feature some of the more popular names associated with Bench like Richard Gomez, Coco Martin, or Lovi Poe, the fashion show still got a sizeable crowd and there was a beeline to get exclusive invites.

    Oh yes, Jennylyn Mercado was there, as well as Borgy Manotoc (who was the first come out on the ramp), but the night’s main feature was the Filipino-Canadian model Paolo Roldan. On the invitation alone, it was pretty obvious they were banking on the presence of Paolo who had endorsed Givenchy and was featured in Vogue Magazine in Paris, France.

    The people are already aware that any fashion show by Bench is an event not to be missed so a good crowd showed up last Sunday. Before the event started, a minute of silent prayer was offered for the dear departed Ms. Bella Flores, the prime kontrabida who did a short film for Bench, which was directed by Jose Javier Reyes. It was a film that talks about being a prime kontrabida and what lessons should be learned to be one.

The new collection of Bench underwear garments were featured in the fashion show that even had Bb. Gandanghari in the audience, as well as talent managers like Arnold Vegafria and Leo Dominguez.

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The cast of GMA Network’s child-friendly TV fare, Home Sweet Home, was in Lucena City in Quezon yesterday, May 28, to witness how Filipinos celebrate the country’s very own Mardi Gras – the Pasayahan Festival.

Pasayahan, which means “to make happy,” lives up to its name as it has street dancing and festival parades as yearly highlights. This year, a more colorful and vibrant celebration happened as Kapuso stars Raymart Santiago, Roxanne Guinoo, Jillian Ward, Arthur Solinap, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Ken Chan joined in the Pasayahan Grand Parade 2013.

On board a Kapuso float, the Home Sweet Home cast paraded together with the other participants dressed in bizarre garbs of various shades and colors.

Following the grand parade was a Kapuso Mall Show at SM City Lucena Event Center during which the Home Sweet Home cast was joined by “Dance of the Steelbars” actor Dingdong Dantes and fast-rising actress Max Collins.

“GMA’s Regional TV is happy to join one of the biggest festivals of Quezon. Pasayahan is one of the must-join festivals of the Kapuso Network this year. As Lucena continues to enthrall local and foreign tourists alike because of the city’s warmth, GMA stays committed to keep the fiesta spirit alive all year round,” says Oliver Amoroso, GMA7’s AVP for Regional TV.

The full details of the network’s participation in the 2013 Pasayahan Festival will be featured in the weekly travelogue “Let’s Fiesta” airing on June 30 via the GMA regional stations in Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Dagupan, Ilocos, GenSan, Bacolod, and CDO.

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Julia Barretto is one lucky lady, indeed. Among the new batch of Star Magic talents, she was handpicked by Dreamscape (a production division at ABS-CBN) to play the lead role in the TV remake of the classic film “Cofradia,” the tale of a young woman who was cursed to be dark-skinned. She would only regain her pearly white complexion thru the help of magical candle.

Naturally, Julia was very elated in getting the big break, but admits she’s having jitters at the thought of getting into the shoes of two of the best actresses in Philippine TV that have played the role – Ms. Gloria Romero in the 1950’s and Gina Alajar in 1973.

“I consider it a big challenge to be given this break and I am going to give it my best since I don’t want to disappoint the people who entrusted me this very big role,” says Julia, the niece of Gretchen and Claudine Barretto. Her mom is Marjorie Barretto while her dad is Dennis Padilla.

“Of course, it’s a big deal for me that I got the role and I am so thankful to ABS-CBN and Dreamscape for entrusting it to me. I am so thankful because it could have anyone else in ABS-CBN talents who could get the part but they chose.  I can’t help but feel the pressure,” she adds.

She is set to undergo workshops to prepare for the role.