New hunk on the Bench block

MANILA, Philippines - Get ready, Philippines, as Devon Spence takes the country by storm. This handsome and charming six-foot, 25-year-old who was born to a Filipino father and a Swedish mother is coming to Manila for the very first time. He will be part of the big annual Bench fashion extravaganza happening on Sept. 19 at the Mall of Asia arena. His résumé reads like any model’s dream: working with the biggest brands in fashion — from Z Zegna to Ralph Lauren, Original Penguin, and Abercrombie & Fitch. He has been featured in GQ and L’Uomo Vogue and has worked with legendary photographers like Bruce Weber and Albert Watson. As an actor, he is appearing for the first time in a movie scheduled to be released at the end of the year.

Born and raised in Florida, Spence started out as a model, established a career in New York for five years then moved to LA to pursue acting and modeling at the same time. He has retained his “Pinoy touch” by indulging in Filipino cuisine (his favorite being lumpia) but has made this more meaningful by sponsoring an indigent child in Legazpi in Bicol.

Last July, The Philippine Tatler photographed Spence for their LA Issue, which will be coming out this October. Here he can be seen wearing Bench clothes taken in one of his favorite places in the city, the LA River. He will be in Manila for a week to do some shoots and ad campaigns.

Get to know more of Devon Spence in this Supreme exclusive.

SUPREME: What was your first modeling job?

DEVON SPENCE: I have been modeling for five years since my mom dropped me off in a little studio in Miami and said “Good luck!” My first job was for a campaign for Hollister, shot by the legendary photographer Bruce Weber with about 50 other models. The best part was getting my first real feel of what it’s like to work on a professional level. I have yet to meet another photographer who can capture so much in one shot, including the inner beauty of a person, the way Bruce Weber can.

What are the ad campaigns you have done and who are the other photographers you’ve worked with?

I’ve done quite a few ad campaigns and the biggest one, so far, is the most recent shoot for Z Zegna. Actually this was something I had always wanted to do since I started modeling. I love parkour and gymnastics, but to be doing tricks in a sport suit is unbelievable. Working with Laura Holmes production was a blessing and to have been part of a project with director Jacob Sutton was an absolute privilege. The pictures are epic and I’ve only seen clips of what the commercial is to be, but I know you’re going to love it. I also had the pleasure of working with Adam Kirley, the man who jumped from crane to crane in Casino Royal! I enjoyed every moment that we were in Milan. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as extremely ambitious. Every day I strive to be doing something towards my career goal, to dance, to act, to get fit, to find healthier sources of food and to educate myself in anything.

What’s your life in LA like? What do you do for fitness?

I’ve lived in LA for over a year now and I love it. The weather is always bright and sunny with a breeze and there are many beaches to hang out at. We have the Tempest Freerunning Academy there where I like to spend part of my time training. I usually do my ab workouts on the rooftop where I’m closest to the sky. I love Bikram yoga and I’m a huge fan of Soul Cycle.

 Describe your family to us? How ‘Pinoy’ are you?

I am the oldest of my siblings. My brother is an artist and a US Marine just like my dad. My dad is pretty tech savvy and is one of my best friends. My oldest sister is a go-getter, digging her hands into anything and everything she can to make money and takes care of two cute huskies. My youngest sister is a good mother and always has a smile on. My mother is very organized and taught me what it means to respect women. My grandmother from my dad’s side is the closest member I know that speaks Tagalog in our family — and she is unstoppable, always sewing, cooking, or planning a party and taking care of my grandpa who always makes me laugh.

What’s your favorite Filipino food?

There are so many that I love and used to love. It’s much more difficult to answer now that I am a vegetarian, but my favorite Filipino foods have always been lumpia and rice cakes (bibingka). My grandma adds a special licorice flavoring.

It will be your first time in Manila. What are you looking forward to?

I’ve refrained from looking at any pictures that may build up an expectation. I want it to be like a good movie without having seen the trailer. I’m super excited to visit Manila. It’s going to be both a surprise and a wonderful experience. To step foot on Philippine soil, I imagine for me, will be equivalent to walking on the red carpet — a dream come true!

You will be part of the much-awaited Bench show. What are your thoughts?

I’m ecstatic to have even been considered for it. To me this is the biggest show in the Philippines and I just hope I don’t disappoint anyone. Everyone asks me if I’ll ever be in the Bench show and I can now happily say, yes!