Carlo Guevara: Being Bench, being 18

“I guess wishes really do come true. For me, there’s never been a happier year in my entire life,” said Carlo Guevara, as he looked back with fondness at the past year.

Who would have thought that in less than a year’s time, the charming young man who was the grand winner of global retailer Bench’s Be Bench Model Search would rise to stardom? Not only has he earned himself a place among the prestigious roster of ABS-CBN Star Magic talents, but he has also become a familiar face in the network’s biggest TV programs.

Last Aug. 31 was just a typical Sunday but for Carlo, until it was transformed into a special evening as Carlo was warmly greeted by close friends from the entertainment and fashion industries with a memorable birthday bash at Felix at Greenbelt 5. The evening was filled with laughter and surprises from the people closest to Carlo’s heart.

After partaking of scrumptious dishes, Carlo’s guests further delighted him by bringing out a birthday cake, surrounded by well-wishers as he blew the 18 candles on it. Present were: Bench big boss Ben Chan with Bench resident architect Miguel Pastor; Carlo’s mentor, PR master Keren Pascual; entrepreneurs Leah Puyat and Angelette Calero; The Philippine STAR Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil with husband Robert Mananquil; models Robby, Raya and Rissa Mananquil with Valerie de los Santos; Ateneo Blue Eagles team manager Paolo Trillo; Phoemela Baranda; Deo Endrinal, ABS-CBN vice president for Talk, Variety and Reality; Star Studio Magazine editor-in-chief Biboy Arboleda; Sheila Queta, ABS-CBN assistant operations manager; and Abigail Angco, ABS-CBN Talent Center road manager.

Also present were Enchong Dee; Be Bench Model Search grand (female) winner Regine Angeles and finalist Ron Morales; Carlos Concepcion; Yeng Constantino; Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholar Hansen Nichols with his twin brother GC.

Aside from being the grand prize winner of the Be Bench Model Search and appearing in numerous shows (Abt Ur Luv, Astigs, etc.), this teen hottie is also a Bench endorser and part of the cast of ABS-CBN’s Dyosa. He also stars in the new show Your Song-Someone Like You (with Aiko Melendez) and the upcoming drama anthology My Only Hope (with Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu).

Asked what his birthday wish is, Carlo said, “At the moment, maybe more shows. As it is, I am truly happy with all my blessings, which is why I could not ask for more. I promise to do my best.”

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