The ‘naked’ next time

Asked in jest by the movie press why he didn’t, well, “bare” (even a part of) it as expected in a show like that, Tom Rodriguez replied with a just-wait-and-see smile, “That will happen on the big night.”

Tom (right), along with Martin del Rosario (center) and Dennis Trillo (far right), was among the actors who graced the exclusive press preview of The Naked Truth Friday night at the Bench Tower Playground at Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Also present was 2011 Miss World first runner-up Gwendoline Ruais. It is Bench’s much-awaited show, with the “big night” slated at the Mall Of Asia on Sept. 19, the mother of all such shows that serves as the venue for, among other models, showbiz’s bodies-to-die-for to strut their stuff. If you’re not in it, it simply means you’re not “in.”

As the 40-plus preview participants paraded down the ramp, I guess those of us in the audience must be feeling “inadequate” — you know, how did they get those kinds of bodies and how much did they sacrifice to achieve them? Did they starve themselves and work out every hour on the hour 24/7?

One of the towering female models, Gwen looked every inch a winner. Her boyfriend David Semerad and his twin brother Anthony will join her in the Naked Truth main event.

Ormoc City Rep. Lucy Torres opened the show by thanking Bench boss Ben Chan for helping her city rise from the ruins caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda by donating 200 fishing boats. Lucy’s husband Richard Gomez is the original Bench model.

“Every time there’s a Bench show,” said Lucy, her eyes turning sad, “I remember Tito Dougs. I’m sure he’s around in spirit.” Dougs was the late Douglas Quijano who was with Ben Chan when Bench was not yet the giant brand that it is today.

3rd addition to Migs and Audrey’s growing family

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