Wear Your Music: Jessica Sanchez for Bench!

It must have been a long journey for this lady and we're witness to what she has accomplished just this past year from a search called American Idol. Although she missed winning it by a hair, we've never been so proud about her being half Filipina and half Mexican and full blooded American. More so the thought of her coming over for a tour in the country (which her Mom was born and raised in) she never thought would be able to step foot on.Jessica Sanchez, our own American Idol is now a global Benchsetter. She immediately got to shoot for the brand right after her stint in American Idol and it could never be better!

Hosting the function was fab Ginger Conejero. She was candid and so perky, it was so nice to have her talk to Jessica on stage.

Then she came...

I think she was a little nervous. But later on when she got to talk to Ginger she kinda got a little loose and talked away like they've been friends for the longest time!


She was tall, cute, very pleasing to the eyes. Plus she had killer heels with extra spikes on the back and she was so nice she immediately greeted everyone.

She was really happy to be part of the BENCH Family. She gave the biggest smiles to everyone who was there to meet her.

She was so overwhelmed about the turnout they had during the AI Concert tour. She loved the reception of everyone including the throng of people who went there. She never thought the crowd was going to be that big... saying she even thinks it was bigger than the shows they had in the US. 

Her style isn't that complicated. She even tells that simple shirts or jeans would be fine by her. She also goes out with sweats regularly and only glams up when its needed. She knows what she wants and they have stylists but ultimately she knows what and how to wear what she feels comfy.

Now that she's part of the BENCH Family, she's excited to let everyone know about how everybody can "Wear Your Music!". She was even wearing one of the shirts on her line and she's so happy about how comfortable and how good it looks on her. Something that she think she could wear anytime of the day even when she's got gigs in the US. She's so happy to have gotten connected to a brand from the Philippines and she's so happy to represent this global brand. She felt so good and overwhelmed about how much importance was given to her by Suyen Corporation, Bench, the main man Ben Chan himself and the whole Bench Family. She feels right at home.

At the end of the event when Mr. Ben Chan went up the stage, Jessica Sanchez whispered to him that she feels so thankful and honored to be part of BENCH. I was so glad they got her because Jessica Sanchez is truly the pride of the Philippines... another feather to our hat!

Jessica's grandma was there to also witness this momentous event in Jessica's life. It was so nice to see her family support her. Oh and speaking of family...

Jessica's Mom was there too. She was so happy Jessica got the chance to actually see the country of her Mom. To see her Filipino roots was priceless. She even defended her against Charice during the interview... but I believe they've got no rift at all. Jessica's Mom lauded Charice even! =)

Congratulations to Bench for having Jessica Sanchez as part of their growing family! I'm sure there will be more soon! Make sure you guys go and hoard everything in Bench stores nationwide and find out how you can also WEAR YOUR MUSIC!

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Bench/ lifestyle + clothing

A Perfect Night: Art by Manansala - Fashion from Freeway

It was a nice evening for reconnecting with art. I seldom pick up a brush or knife these days to make something in the canvas. Actually if you think about it, I never even thought about it til now. It's been years since I conceptualized something like that. I guess it pays to actually go to these events; you get inspired again. It gives you that extra umph you need to get a muse... and believe me just the name Vicente Manansala on its own would make anybody believe in the arts again. He's the best there is in modern cubism. Imagine at that time he's already done what photoshop is doing now in layers. The transparent figures, different shades, he's done all of that decades ago. While we on the other hand stare and marvel at his great works now.

Artists made portraits and artwork at the center of Glorietta 5. These things just inspires me!

Different styles, different mediums, they began creating works of art right in the middle of the mall. Guests and celebrities joined in and had their portraits made too.

It was a delight to see such talented people in one place. Paying homage to the one and only National Artist for Visual Arts Vicente Manansala. Whilst upstairs Freeway was doing the same thing; honoring the artist through fashion. The line aptly named after him... Manansala.

Freeway has been doing these great fusions of art + literature + and fashion over the years and what great way to celebrate it but by making this available to consumers now. The generation of today probably don't even know a thing or two about this national artist for Visual Arts. Even great artists were influenced by his work years before even I was born. I was educated in some of the best schools to learn a few facts from them. It made a difference in my education later on in life. If this becomes something well acquainted with special stuff like a dress, or a top, or a whole shirt line... wouldn't that be more endearing to our generation?

Graphic prints and detailed image captures with intricate embroidery in tops. What more can a woman ask for?!

Sketch interpretations of Manansala's work also seen in black blouses. Ingenious way of interpreting the great national artist's work on textile.

Those translucent/transparent effects he started as I said is also shown on this red number. If you dig the images on canvas, you would definitely love these too.





Great artwork from the Lopez Museum and private collectors were all imprinted on silk, cotton or satin like fabrics. The colors exude almost the same palette as the original paintings.

Prints applied on the blouses, clean crisp white shirts never go wrong with black skirts. Prints even on the bags make quite an attractive accessory to any day/night dress. Go sleeveless, or full dress... Freeway just shows different appliques to the artwork made by Vincent Manansala.

Sporting the Manansala design on his coat and wearing the Manansala top are the hosts of the event, Tim Yap and gorgeous Ms. Divine Lee! She's so chic!

FreewayXManansala Fashion Show


After understanding the concept of this line, Freeway treated us with a fashion show fit for the name Vicente Manansala. It was very high fashion, I had so much fun I had to get one of the models contact numbers. I envy Freeway getting such awesome ladies on the ramp. I'd gladly do an editorial spread for them on my portfolio. Just look at how gorgeous these clothes were carried by these models.

Key Item: Tops, have it sleeveless or not its still going to be the perfect shirt with all those graphic design/print on them.

Just look at the accessories, even the fans had the print on them!

Colors and designs made this collection a lot different than the other National artists series but all of em are good representations of their work. Above the knee, solid colors, it still works. They can use this for day dresses, very pretty.

Those almost opposite in the color wheel shouldn't be mixed but just look at this one. Long sleeves, long skirt and a leather clutch. Classy and formal, quite nice for professionals who want to be still updated.

Mini's or above the knee dresses with large prints shy away from the norm color blocking and use frames or lines. Genius!

So I guess its pretty obvious that we're looking at Audrey Hepburn hair this evening. Very classy.

Oh! I see something nice in this set. The jacket/blazer. Mix and match that with any shirt and voila! It'll turn into something formal. =)

What a way to end the evening, very high fashion indeed!

With pieces that give justice to the artwork of a great man, Freeway continues to be socially relevant in a sense. I never even thought that any brand would do that; and they did it in style. It was an artsy, glamorous event attended by great people. Experienced collectors, friends, family of Mr. Manansala were there to witness the event too. It was such an honor to be with people who made a difference in culture and felt in some way, shape or form that we belong to something so remarkable... a race that stands so proud with talents like Vicente Manansala. We pretty much knew Freeway was doing something so right. I can't wait to see the Men's line come November. It'll surely be one heck of a collection again!

Congratulations to Freeway on your FreewayXManansala launch. You have outdone yourselves again! Made me happy too! =)

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