be seen... quite fab

The huge and evergrowing Bench galaxy/family of stars just got bigger with the addition of two new discoveries selected at the Be Bench Grand Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Last Tuesday night, at the Big Dome, the star-studded model search was hosted by Bench endorsers Kris Aquino and Piolo Pascual.

Out of hundreds of hopefuls, 12 finalists were narrowed down to six in an eight-week reality TV show that aired over ABS-CBN.

The lucky six were Carlo Guevarra (18), Kristine Mei Nieto (19), John Uy (19), Michelle Alice Carbonell (20), Haroun Morales (22) and Regine Angeles (21).

While Carlo and Haroun obviously had the most fans — judging from all the banners seen at the Dome — my personal choice was John Uy, a commercial model who looks like a taller, Oriental version of John Prats. He has been called a “Sam Milby wannabe” and the fact that he mostly speaks English could’ve alienated him from the text-voting masses.

Among the girls, i favored Kristine who, for me had the prettiest face — which everyone seemed to agree with (at least in our household ). Whispers had it that Regine, on the other hand was already being eyed by ABS-CBN before the winners were announced.

Carlo Guevarra stood out because he apparently used to be extremely overweight. As they flashed “before and after” photos of Carlo on the big screen, we were amazed how this insecure boy who once weighed over 220 pounds came to look as he does now.

Not to be missed were the appearance of Bench eye candies in the forms of Zanjoe Marudo, Jon Avila (a.k.a. Jon Mullally) and Sam Milby who sang a duet with Piolo Pascual.

Zanjoe is in top form and has never looked this good. Jon is always eye candy, as far as I’m concerned. And Sam Milby still elicited the loudest screams from the audience.

First to be eliminated was Michelle Alice Carbonell, an airport representative from Baguio. As a consolation prize, Piolo Pascual gave her a big hug, and while this was going on I heard someone in the audience say, “OK na rin.”

We were pretty sure John Uy had it in the bag. In person and on the big screen he had the best face. I swear, given the right hair growth he could look like a member of F4.

Unfortunately he was the first to go among the guys.

John looked disappointed and started looking for his mom in the audience. It was cute and funny — and not an easy task considering the bright lights and the 22,000-capacity of Araneta Coliseum. His mom was finally located when she stood up and waved at him. John made a brief but touching speech, basically thanking his mom for having flown in to see the show. (Collective sigh from the girls.)

Following a Bench denim fashion show and song number by Christian Bautista, Carlo Guevarra and Regine Angeles were named winners of the Be Bench model search.

Among their prizes are: a management contract under the ABS-CBN Talent Center, a Bench endorsement contract, a 15-month supply of Bench clothing, cash, an STI educational scholarship worth P250,000, and a two-bedroom house and lot at St. Monique Valais care of Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp.