Taylor Lautner is new Bench endorserWhose version is correct?

Yesterday’s presscon was for My Lady Boss, the Regal Films/GMA Films romantic-comedy starring Richard Gutierrez and Marian Rivera which is finally showing soon after its original April playdate was postponed.

While Richard was quiet and floated “feelers” that he was going to answer only questions relevant to the movie and not about his private life, Marian announced with a wide smile as she sat at the presidential table that, yes, she knew the reporters have prepared a lot of (controversial) questions and she was ready to answer them, one by one, point by point.

Of course, top on the media agenda was Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde’s complaint (published in Funfare yesterday) that, for the first time in the long history of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), her company doesn’t have an entry (but only the co-production venture Pagpag with ABS-CBN Productions with Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo), hinting albeit not blaming that she did have a project with Marian and Judy Ann Santos but had to be shelved because of Marian’s refusal to do it.

Mother Lily said in yesterday’s Funfare that Marian wanted a “solo starrer.”

First saying that she and Mother Lily are not fighting (“Hindi kami nag-aaway”), Marian explained that she really wanted to work with Judy Ann but she didn’t want the project to be rushed. (According to Mother Lily, Judy Ann’s manager Alfie Lorenzo did give the project a go-signal. In fact, Judy Ann was already asking for the script.)

“Ayoko naman ng oo na lang ng oo,” said Marian. “Mas maganda naman kung pinaplano,” adding that it would be an honor for her to co-star with Judy Ann, “maipag-mamalaki kong, ‘Ay, nakasama ko sa isang pelikula si Juday!’, you know,” and that it’s not true that she didn’t want to work with her. “Wala pa akong hinihindiang project sa Regal with which I am still under contract for two more films.”

My Lady Boss is Marian’s second Regal movie with Richard, directed by Jade Castro, in which Marian plays a strict boss (reminiscent of Meryl Streep’s role in The Devil Wears Prada) with Richard as one of her employees. With his charm, Richard is able to soften the hard-hearted Marian and they eventually end up with each other.

Anyway, Marian (who has since called Alfie to explain her side…con todo tears?), was caught by surprise at yesterday’s presscon when Mother Lily took the floor and stuck to her story that what Marian wanted was a solo starrer, seconded by Mother Lily’s daughter Roselle who spoke after her. “What (Marian) wanted was a solo starrer,” reiterated Roselle.

As always when something like this happens in showbiz, all’s well that ends well.

“Past is past,” shrugged Mother Lily and hugged Marian as mother and daughter do after sorting out some family kinks.

Then, the three ladies posed for posterity, with a big smile on their faces.

Meanwhile, Richard stood pat on his resolve not to talk about his private life, saying only that he wanted to have a break (he cut short his vacation in Switzerland where he visited his girlfriend Sarah Lahbati, purposely to help promote My Lady Boss) and that his contract with GMA Network is expiring (or has expired?) but his contract with GMA Films is still good and My Lady Boss is not his last film with the company.

“I’ve been a Kapuso for 11 years and I’ve done all kinds of projects with the network,” said Richard. “With GMA (Network), I have lived a full career,” without saying if he’s renewing his contract or he’s moving somewhere else.

*  *  *

Bench sure knows how to surprise the local market with its line-up of international celebrity endorsers, welcoming Hollywood actor Taylor Lautner to the local fashion scene. Kids, teens, the young at heart, and all of Team Jacob will be delighted, no doubt.

Lautner has appeared in films that have grossed over one $1B. He has been acting since he was nine years old with movies like Cheaper by the Dozen 2, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl and the John Singleton thriller, Abduction. Lautner is best known for playing Jacob Black in the record-breaking global phenomenon The Twilight Saga franchise based on the novels of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. He’s wildly in demand, and Bench is more than ecstatic to have Lautner come aboard and launch its latest collection this season.

Bench CEO and owner Ben Chan personally flew to L.A. with the team to welcome Lautner as its newest endorser. The campaign was shot in L.A. by photographer, videographer and director Anthony Mandler (who has worked with artists like Rihanna, David Beckham, Beyonce, Usher, Shakira, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber). Lautner was styled by Samantha McMillen (included in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of 25 Most Powerful Stylists List).

Saying goodbye to summer and transitioning into a new season calls for a wardrobe change. The next few months are full of change and this is the chance to combine pieces together into something sharp, comfortable and flexible for work and play. Lautner does layering well with Bench pieces creating a smart casual look that’s wearable during weekdays and weekends. Fitted blazers can instantly dress up basic shirts. Cardigans are the perfect thing for layering during cold, rainy days and nights. For a preppy look, try on Bench’s pique shirts in an endless array of colors. Bench’s striped and gingham printed shirts can add instant style to denim jeans without too much effort. Lautner also wears the brand’s latest carrot chinos collection in shades of red, blue and brown.

The good news is that Lautner might fly to Manila to headline a Bench showcase and for a round of TV/print interviews.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com.)