Artista Academy: The Top 16: Good Looking, Gorgeous, Better Than Other Reality Search Programs!

The biggest and grandest Artista search in the country just started and they got the names out! We're glad we were able to witness this last Sunday. There are a lot of favorites this year, but the standouts in my list really presented themselves well. In fact, some of them got in! These guys just might win the coveted 20 Million pesos, which in history is the biggest prize in the country. It will change lives.

Some of my bets got in!

I was impressed about the lineup of talents that they had. Comparing this to other networks artista search, this is on a league of its own. Honestly, none of them looked cheap. They have spunk and when it's about talent, they showed us what they're made of that afternoon!

The girls didn't let us down because as soon as these hunky guys got off the stage they showed us a thing or two about making it a competition!

Watch as top 16 hopefuls Brent Manzano, 20 set as The Prince of Emo, Chris Leonardo as Laguna's dancing cutie, Jon Orlando (one of my bets) 19 as the Class Leader from QC, Mark Neumann, 17 the class clown,Chanel Morales, 16 Miss Conservative, Julia Quisumbing (another one of my bets! :) ) 21 the athletic beauty, Malak So Shidifat, 20 the mysterious babe, Marvelous Alejo, 16 the talented sweetheart from Valenzuela, Nicole Estrada, 16 the campus kikay, Shaira Mae,17 Miss Congeniality of Las Pinas City, Sophie Albert, 21 the artistic chick, Stephanie Rowe, 16 Muse na palaban from Pampanga, Akihiro Blanco, 17 ang Astig na Heartthrob, Alberto Bruno, 16 Mr. Intense, Vin Abrenica, 21 the singing hunk, and Benjo Leoncio 21, the campus crush from Cebu all have a once in a lifetime chance to get 10 Million Pesos for one male and one female contestant as the ultimate winner in Artista Academy!

They gamely answered questions from the press and also the bloggers that evening. I got to jot down several facts from the Academy hopefuls!

1.  When asked about their love team prospects, Sophie is kinda the one almost all the guys adore. I'm not surprised because she was statuesque and extremely pretty!

2. Apparently the girls love John Lloyd Cruz. They adore him and want to work with him sometime soon.

3. Good looking Jon has a crush on the gorgeous Lovi Poe.

4. Alberto likes Michael V and his brand of comedy.

5. Mark likes and idolizes Jed Madela and the press was surprised, the bloggers on the other hand were not because we knew how talented he is.

6. When asked about giving up studies in pursuit of this chance to be in Artista Academy, Malak says she wants this so bad, studying is important but since this is a chance they were given to do now, they want to grab this because the opportunity presented itself. They all had similar answers.

Roberto is very frank and amusing. He was outstanding in answering most of the questions, brutally direct, this must be why he's here. You should get to know him.

7. Chanel, and Marvelous obviously has singing prowess. They even sang a Capella. The boys were well represented by Vin Abrenica and Brent Manzano. Some of them danced, evidently these guys and gals are an awesome talented bunch!

I watched the show last night and got to see how they looked on screen, they were all so promising! The only comment I have to make is it's so bitin! This show should be 1 or 2 hours! Can't help but appreciate why Direk Mac Alejandre seated beside me and asked about my bets too, he's making this whole program a great one and by golly it is! Congratulations Direk! =)

Check out these shots I got of some of the contestants, now tell me if they are not apt for stardom!

Artista Academy airs 11:45 AM and 9:00 PM Monday to Friday, and shows 9:30 PM every Saturday for eliminations. It's 20 Million Pesos and these guy and gals that will keep you entertained so make sure you watch it on TV5!

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Passion for Greatness: The Bench "Benchingko Films" Red Carpet Premier

From its humble beginnings, BENCH is now a global brand the Philippines is so proud of! With it's gorgeous roster of local and international endorsers to representations in shows like America's Next Top Model, to collaborations with great world class designers like Randy Ortiz and Rajo Laurel, you can't stop something that is so good!

In celebration of their 25th year in the industry and after a great series of shows in Philippine Fashion Week, this awesome brand global brand just made their silver anniversary extra special via BENCHINGKO FILMS and short films you'll absolutely go crazy about! I got some great photos I'd like to share with you guys from the red carpet premier! Are you ready? =)

Just look at the back draft on the red carpet, the gorgeous Lucy Torres Gomez, the alluring Lovi Poe, Piolo Pascual, Bella Flores and Coco Martin... I'm sure the stars alone would make anyone think what great short films we'll be watching that evening!

I missed to shoot one of the movie posters for Coco Martin's Horsepower. There were more stars who came and supported the short films. They were part of the cast too. It was my first time to see Benjamin Alvez.

 

Even the sons of the Comedy King was there. Epi Quizon was part of one of the films. He was interviewed quite a lot because this is the first time he came out after his Father's passing.

It was also so nice to see Mr. Ben Chan. He really made it a point to be there and supervise everything. Do you remember the comment I made about his work ethic during the Joe Jonas launch?

He personally did things instead of asking his staff for it, now that probably is his secret for the success of Bench!

Also there were gorgeous models from Philippine Fashion Week, I apologize I couldn't recognize them.

Some good looking bloggers, my friend Paul of PaulthePRGuy with Vern Enciso and Verniece Enciso. Ain't they gorgeous? :)

The place was packed! It was so nice to see BENCH celebrate the whole year and I'm so glad to be part of it!

Then I was floored when they came in!

This isn't the first time I saw Ms. Lucy Torres Gomez but everytime I do, I'm just mesmerized by her beauty. Imagine if your Congresswoman looked like this, the world would be so peaceful! :))

Of course one of the stars on the short film "KAMA" is the gorgeous Lovi Poe. Her dress that evening was deadly! Backless redefined!

Equally good looking guy Piolo Pascual was so nice. He agreed when I politely asked for a photo. What do you think? =)

Star of KONTRABIDA 101 Ms. Bella Flores looking so regal in her violet dress. I'm a fan of this great actress, super fan actually. Kontrabida wouldn't be coined without mentioning her name in Philippine history!

Check out this trailer and just take a look at what we watched that evening!

See why I'm not surprised why BENCH is the number 1 clothing brand in the Philippines? =)

Thank you so much and happy happy birthday BENCH! Thank you also to Sir Ben Chan and everyone behind the success of the brand! Let's all sit down and relax, there are more things coming up this last quarter. Watch out for that! :)

Bench really has a passion for greatness!