Freedom is in the air

MANILA, Philippines - The absence of strife, or the presence of peace in one’s mind? The clearing away of suffering, or the making of space for new and more joyous experiences?

These ideas form the crux of Bench Scents’ newest range. Aptly called Freedom Scents, the line of eau de toilette and body sprays commemorates the 25th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution with a sensorial quartet that distills the concept of freedom from the political to the personal, starting with the uplifting experience of wearing a truly light and fresh scent. With their staying power, Freedom Scents boost self-confidence, empowering oneself to trust his or her own tastes and actualize one’s innermost aspirations.

After work, Kris enjoys a good book, a cup of coffee and quality time with her kids.

There’s the Freedom Eau de Toilette (P398, 100 ml) — a unisex scent with a fruity oriental profile that ends in a powdery finish. For an even lighter formulation, there are also woodsy body spray versions (P128, 100 ml), namely Freedom 1, a floral and fruity version for females; Freedom 2, an amber-based spray for the males; and Freedom 3, a unisex scent with stronger Oriental tones.

In keeping with the simple and fundamental feel, all scents come in iconic yellow bottles, to signify the color of freedom for Filipinos, owing to its use in the nation’s peaceful revolution in 1986. What’s more, the bottles have minimalist labels that communicate their clean fresh aura. Celebrities Kris Aquino and Dingdong Dantes attest to this notion, as represented by the newest offering from Bench’s Pinoy Lab brand.

Kris Aquino enjoys moments of introspection, saying she wants to be free “to believe in happy ever after.”

On one hand, mother, host, and actress Kris Aquino values the freedom to savor the joy of being with her family, as well as a guardian to kids Joshua and James. “To believe in happy ever after,” she says. Indeed, being a well-read individual herself, Kris also values the uncanny sense of peace she finds in having the privilege to enjoy her own burgeoning career, while still allowing herself to indulge in her passion for reading and learning. Of course, Kris also finds happiness in the simplicity of relaxed moments, where she can put her feet up, or sip a warm cup of coffee in her free time. In the same way, the Freedom EDT brings to mind light moments — a welcome luxury for someone as busy as Kris.

For Dingdong, freedom carries with it a possibility for adventure — the chance to engage in all manner of sports and challenges. Just as the Freedom 2 body spray invigorates with its spicy amber tones, Dingdong places a premium on a strong, alert mind. “A strong mind is parallel to a strong body… When you are alone, one with yourself — thinking, planning, anticipating — you can gear yourself to enter tomorrow’s next battle, free from fear, free from reservations, and truly liberated in spirit.”

So taken are the two endorsers with this brand-new conception of freedom, in fact, that they have signed on to endorse Freedom Scents — gracing a much-awaited launch on Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. at the TriNoma Activity Center. The program will give a new spin to the notion of freedom, with the fruity, floral and Oriental notes of Freedom filling the air.