Bench turns 25, celebrates style and star power with Benchingko Films

MANILA, Philippines - For 25 years, Bench has redefined fashion into a lifestyle. Each year has been punctuated with surprising new lines paired with the most unforgettable faces and extremely gorgeous bodies of the country’s hottest celebrities. By bringing together this explosive combination of style and star power, Bench has kept millions enthralled, mesmerized and wanting more. Which is why, as it marks its 25th year, Bench brings up the dazzle level a few notches higher with a glittering festival of short films that will make hearts beat a tad faster. Get ready for Benchingko Films!

Benchingko films features some of the celebrity names of Bench — Lucy Torres-Gomez, Piolo Pascual, Lovi Poe and Coco Martin. There are even a couple of unexpected personalities who will show up on film like the indomitable kontrabida, Bella Flores and the man behind Bench, Ben Chan himself.

Ben Chan: The man himself faces the camera and he does it 25 times in 25 Bens directed by Ianco de la Cruz.

With its diverse genres ranging from documentary to musical to comedy, Benchingko will amaze viewers with every film.

The Films

Kama, a three-part musical directed by Borgy Torre, features three stories all played out on a bed: Kamanyakan, Kamachohan and Kamalasan. Lovi Poe stars in Kamanyakan.

Lucy Torres-Gomez appears in Star Teacher, a travel documentary directed by Marla Ancheta. In the film, Lucy stages a puppet show for the children of her hometown, Ormoc, teaching them the importance of environmental conservation.

For Piolo fans, Perya is a must-see. The story is set in a world where the grotesque is the norm and someone with a face like Piolo Pascual’s is considered a freak. Piolo is kept as a captive in a carnival until love finds him. It’s a haunting love story directed by Toppel Lee.

Shifting to high gear, Horsepower is an action-packed drama directed by Borgy Torre. Coco Martin plays the role of Rogelio, a jeepney driver obsessed with winning a perilous drag race among his fellow jeepney drivers. Filled with high-speed chases, the story takes a surprising turn as Rogelio has a poignant epiphany.

Lucy Torres-Gomez takes us to her hometown, Ormoc in the film Star Teacher.

But when it comes to comedy, the Philippines’ quintessential kontradiba, Bella Flores will tickle you pink in a film that bears her name. Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, Bella, the queen of mean takes viewers on a wickedly witty step-by-step tutorial to being a genuine kontrabida.

And finally, in his first film, Ben Chan reveals the many sides to his personality — 25 sides in fact. Directed by Ianco dela Cruz, 25 Bens takes a quirky look at the man behind Bench as he and his many selves talk, banter and outwit each other.

The Opening Night

Benchingko premiere night is tonight at 6 p.m., Center Stage, SM Mall of Asia. For tickets, join the promo on Twitter or visit any of the Bench stores.

If you can’t catch it on the big screen, Benchingko Films can be viewed online. Check out www.benchtm.com/benchingko and Bench’s YouTube account. Exclusive content such as behind-the-scenes photos and videos can also be found on the benchtm/benchingko website. More details can be found on Bench’s official facebook (www.facebook.com/benchtmofficial) and twitter pages (@benchtm).