It was a film debut that got everyone talking after watching it last Friday, July 26 since it was a historic first. No it was not Queen Elizabeth’s cameo role in Oscar-winner director Danny Boyle’s film clip for the London Olympic 2012 Opening Ceremonies, who together with Daniel Craig as James Bond arrived via parachute onto the roof of the Olympic Stadium after jumping from a helicopter. People who attended the red carpet premiere of Benchingko Films in SM Mall Of Asia Centerstage guffawed and laughed out loud seeing Bench CEO Ben Chan on his first acting role as himself in “Bens 25” directed by Ianco Dela Cruz. Imagine seeing Ben Chan reveals the many side to his personality, 25 Ben Chans to be exact- one serious, the other “mataray”, another a bit skeptical- just to name a few. The film shows a humorous and candid peek at the many facets of the man behind the global fashion brand, seeing twenty-five Bens talking among themselves about the brand and how far it has come. “Bens 25” opened Benchingko Films and marks the first online short film initiative done by a retailer in the Philippines. The first batch to be released stars Lucy Torres-Gomez in “Star Teacher” directed by Marla Ancheta. It is a poignant travel documentary that brings her back to her beloved hometown, Ormoc, Piolo Pascual topbills Topel Lee’s “Perya”, a haunting love story set in the world where the grotesque and hideous is the norm. Lovi Poe takes on “Kama”- a three-part musical directed by Borgy Torre where the bed takes centerstage in different settings. Coco Martin plays Rogelio in “Horsepower” directed as well by Borgy Torre, a jeepney driver obsessed with speed and winning the prized horse trophy that would adorn his jeepney’s hood. Bella Flores, Philippine cinema’s quintessential kontrabida, plays herself as she reveals the secret of being the queen of mean via a wickedly step-by-step tutorial in “Kontrabida 101” directed by Jose Javier-Reyes.
Ben Chan, together with Suyen Corporation’s Virgilio, Nenita, Brian and Kristine Lim, welcomed V.I.P. guests that came in spite of the inclement weather and heavy Friday traffic. Noel Manapat was seen hobnobbing with his collegeaus from advertising, industry stalwarts Melvin Mangada, Marci Reyes, Adobo Magazine’s Angel Guerrero, TBWA’s Tong Puno among others. Keren Pascual came with his ward Enchong Dee, together with good friends Leah Puyat and Marissa Lopa. Summit Publsihing’s Editorial Director Myrza Sison watched with husband Andrei, owner of Rain Tree Group that manages one of the best hotels in the world as declared by Travel + Leisure, the famed Discovery Shores in Boracay. “Be Bench Be Famous” reality star search winner Regine Angeles came with her new beau, Chef Victor Leano, who also won Century Tuna Bodies last 2011. Popular dermatologist, Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, who is heavy with their third child, came with husband Dr. Z Teo Designer Randy Ortiz came with hotelier Marco Protacio to support Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez, who is Randy’s muse. The Quizon siblings, film director/actor Eric Quizon, Epy Quizon, and their half-sister singer Zia Quizon, were ones of the early birds in the star-studded red carpet premiere. Other Bench brand ambassadors such as Shaina Magdayao, Jessy Mendiola, Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Benjamin Alves
In the words of Bench founder and CEO Ben Chan: "Fashion keeps changing. Fashion is always evolving. Bench lasted this long because we figured out how to ride the waves of change. But movies and films are meant to last longer than fashion. Some are made to last forever. They make the foundation of a culture. The stay in people's minds and hearts. They become classics. It's the 25th anniversary of Bench, and this year we wanted to make something truly classic and ageless. So, we made these films. Movies are the backbone of Pinoy Pop Culture. " Ben also paid tribute to Philippine cinema’s King of Comedy, Dolphy, who would have been 84 that week.
Creative, unconventional, funny, and moving, Benchingko Films are packed with a little bit of everything for everyone. True to its brand character, these films will surprise, mesmerize, perhaps even shock viewers, with genres so diverse ranging from documentary to musical to comedy. A Benchingko Films website that will house all films and make them available for online viewing will be launched soon. Benchingko Films is one of the many activities lined up this year as Bench celebrates its 25th year as Philippines’ leading fashion brand
For more updates like Bench official Facebook page and follow @benchtm via Twitter. For more information about benchingko Films, visit www.benchtm.com/benchingko
