" A perfect day for an underwear fashion show, right?" says a pretty girl, her eyes focused on sexy, good-looking models– both from the Philippines and China–as they enter a garden tent-room for dressing–rather, undressing–for a show in the garden beside the museum.
The show is presented by Ben Chan to launch Bench Body’s latest singer-actor endorser in China. And he is hot! His name is Peter Ho and clearly this afternoon, Shanghai’s chic-est population has dropped everything to see Peter Ho drop his pants…or will he?
Peter Ho’s giant billboard shows him half-naked, his Bench underwear waistband peeping from B/Low Bench denim pants. Girls and gays wait for their turn to pose for photos beside it before they enter a green maze of neatly pruned foliage created by Bench for the show.
Guests pluck stems of Moet & Chandon champagne from the green bushes, and the bubbly is a hit among the thirsty crowd. And so are the finger foods served in trays by waiters of Simply Thai, a Shanghai restaurant co-owned by Ben Chan.
All of a sudden, there is a frenzy and you know that Peter Ho has arrived. TV cameramen and photographers run, followed by guests, towards the entrance where Ben Chan welcomes him. It’s panic time: You hear only non-stop clicks, sighs, shouts and swoons.
Soon, as if to make everyone cool down, the show begins. Twenty-plus models make their way inside the maze – where the guests have positioned themselves – wearing Bench Body’s latest line of undergarments. There is never a dull moment as they walk fast on the grassy runway so swiftly, everything is over in 30 minutes. Whew. The guests are happy. Even if the grand finale model Peter Ho walked with his pants on.
You’ve been traveling a lot as an Asian superstar. Have you been to the Philippines?
Yes, four years ago.
What do you know about the Philippines?
The Filipinos are very artistic. They are born to sing. I remember Regine Velasquez doing a duet with Jackie Chan.
Are you mainly a singer or an actor?
I have TV dramas, but I started as a singer though I could never really sing. At l8, I had a singing teacher. After two months, she gave up on me…Now, it’s good to know that a lot of people out there are listening to you.
Now that you are acclaimed as a good singer and actor, what is your next big dream?
My biggest goal is to be a director.
Did you really dream to be in showbiz?
I would have been a cartoonist. I love doing graphics, advertising, sketching. I did a lot of designs for a book.
How would you describe yourself?
Positive, stubborn, spontaneous.
Who are your heroes?
My dad, because he is a romantic husband and a responsible father.
Is your current girlfriend also in showbiz?
I would like to get myself a girlfriend. But how can I keep them coming? No time.
What kind of girl will you marry ?
She’s got to have good family values because I’m close to my family... Yes, she has to be sexy.
Define sexy.
To me, sexy is not just a beautiful body.
Who is sexy for you?
Winona Ryder.
You are now endorsing underwear. What do you wear to sleep?
Shorts and a tank top.
How do you keep fit?
I go to the gym three times a week. I control my diet, I do cardio-vascular exercises.
What do you think of Bench Body?
I like it very much. It has many variations. The designs look comfy and stylish. I used to think of underwear as just underwear. Until I started modeling for Bench Body.
What do you think of Ben Chan?
Sexy, he actually has a good frame. Maybe it would be interesting to have him on the billboard with me.
What’s your favorite band? U2.
Song? In the Name of Love.
TV show? The Simpsons.
Movie? City of God.
Book? The Japanese anime comic book Gantz.
Actress? Winona Ryder, despite that shoplifting story, I still like her.
Color? Blue
Drink? Diet Coke.
Destination? Egypt.
Country? Taiwan.
City? Taipei.
Place to settle? Shanghai, China.
Dream car? A truck I can convert into my studio.
On our way back to our hotel, we leaf through the pages of a Bench company profile book given out to guests entitled "Seeing is Believing." It states the company vision:" To be a recognized world brand among the best brands." The company mission:" When we create, we inspire. When we make, we innovate. When we lead, we serve."
In the book, Ben Chan states : "My mantra for work is taken from the words of Jonathan Swift–‘Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.’ "
Bench was established in l987, and now, it counts 10 outlets in China, six outlets in the Middle East, and one outlet in the United States.
Like most hardworking taipans, Ben Chan now aims to take the big leap into China as the next market to conquer. His brother Carlos Chan took the first single step in a journey of a thousand miles many years ago. Now his Oishi is a household staple in China. What an inspiring feat for Ben.
"I first viewed China as a land of opportunity, a place where I could expand my market, an extension of my Philippine operation. I envision Bench to be successful in China as it is in the Philippines. My dream is for Bench Body to become a familiar brand in every household in China."
Such one big leap for Bench. And this sexy show today with Peter Ho is not just another entertainment treat for movie fans and fashionistas in Shanghai. For Ben Chan, it is another giant step in the journey of a thousand miles.