MANILA, Philippines - Last Jan. 28, hundreds of teens from all over Manila joined forces and rallied at the activity center of TriNoma Mall in Quezon City. The reason? The Pinoy Youth declared their choice to open happiness… in a fashionable way.
The tandem behind this epic youth gathering is no other than the beloved beverage brand that’s celebrating its 100th birthday in the country, Coca-Cola and top clothing line, Bench. The two global pop icons reunited this time to bring a complete, new line of hip, energizing a co-branded apparel and merchandise collection for the new breed of Filipino teens and teens-at-heart — the Coca-Cola Originals by Bench.
What better way to officially present this fresh new collection but with a larger-than-life runway party created by teens for teens otherwise known as The Coca-Cola Big Youth Blowout. One of the Coca-Cola Happiness President’s inspired efforts to spread happiness all year round, the event brought together a handful of exciting firsts and surprise treats from beginning to end.
A lot of cheering, dancing, high kicks and drum beats kicked the day off as the quirky duo from the Coca-Cola Music Studio, Myx VJs Chino Lui-Pio and Bianca Roque called together on stage the amazing UE Pep Squad followed by the Philippine All-Stars to electrify the crowd with back-to-back heart-pumping numbers.
All these exhilarating acts were just a prelude to the day’s most-anticipated attraction: the fabulous parade of the country’s most sought-after ramp and student models as well as celebrities wearing the Coca-Cola Originals by Bench. One by one, the models came out strutting a full collection with designs that took inspiration from iconic Coca-Cola elements we’ve known for decades such as the Spencerian script, the contour bottle and bright red color patterns fused with Bench’s youthful, dynamic vibe that Pinoys all over the country and the world have loved throughout the years.
This culminated to a power-packed reveal of Coca-Cola’s new league of Happiness Ambassadors in the name of four of the hottest teen idols of today: Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, Kathryn Bernardo and Joseph Marco who all made an explosive entrance. While the two girls emerged from the center of the stage, their leading men practically “flew” all the way from an elevated area of the mall and into the stage, leaving fans awestruck and screaming. Together, they performed a finale dance number as all the models work the catwalk to cap the day off on a high. But that’s not all. This final act also witnessed a stunning flash mob dance-off featuring 100 teens from various school and youth organizations nationwide. In no time, the audiences were throwing theirs fists in the air and swaying to the music as a shower of balloons and confetti surges.
“The Coca-Cola Originals by Bench is our generation’s way of making a remarkable statement. Wearing it affirms our choice to join Coca-Cola’s uber exciting 100th year celebration and to continue spreading happiness among others,” says Enchong.
With a bottle of Coca-Cola in hand, now everyone has the power to show our indestructible spirit through fashion and be happiness ambassadors, ourselves. As how chic star-on-the-rise Julia Montes says: “I want to wear it because it shows that I enjoy life to the fullest and that I’m a happy person. Every piece is just a daily reminder of how resilient and optimistic we are as a nation, just like every bottle of Coke. That’s why I love it.”
But the big youth blowout was not solely just a fashion party for the Pinoy youth. It was also an occasion to give back and make a difference in the lives of our fellowmen. Led by the Coca-Cola happiness ambassadors, the teen guests and other partakers of the day were able to raise and donate funds for ongoing rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of recent calamities that struck the country.
Tagged as the “first-ever digitalized Coke-Bench fashion show,” all the day’s fun fare was also made available for viewing by the entire nation and the world even as it was streamed live online via www.coca-cola.com.ph. Top fashion bloggers and other notable personalities also kept buzzing online, further making the launch event the talk of the town. In fact, two lucky bloggers, David Guison and Vern Enciso, also got the chance to walk the runway.
The Coca-Cola Originals is available in Bench stores nationwide. Open happiness and strut your style with an ice-cold Coke in hand to continue enjoying its delicious taste and unique fizz perfected over the last 100 years.
For information, go to the Coca-Cola Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/cocacola), follow @Coke_PH on Twitter or visit www.coca-cola.com.ph.