iStyled: Alden Richards, Benjamin Alves, and Tippy Dos Santos for Manila Bulletin

This was a late post from last year's feature on Manila Bulletin SCU.

A photo shoot homage to the Best Selling Novel turned Box Office hit, Twilight Saga.

Models are: Alden Richards, Benjamin Alves, and Tippy Dos Santos

Photos by Andrew Apuya
Styled by Jp Diche and Dice Silverio
Art Direction by Jaser Marasigan
Grooming/ Hair and Makeup by Aaron Cunanan and Jem Calungcaguin
Clothes and Accessories from
Folded and Hung (For Alden)
Bench (for Benjamin)
SM Department (For Tippy Dos Santos)

Special thanks to Folded and Hung, Bench, and SM Department Store,

Andrew Apuya for the Photos, 

Manila Bulletin Students and Campuses Section

Like their Facebook Page HERE

Follow them on Twitter HERE

Follow me on Twitter @JPdHOTMESS

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iStyled: Edgar Allan Guzman for Manila Bulletin Students and Campuses

NO MORE JUST MR. POGI!

Edgar Allan Guzman for Manila Bulletin- Students and Campuses

Photographed by ANDREW APUYA

Styled by JP DICHE 

Grooming by MARTIN ALONZO

Clothes from BENCH 

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Special Thanks to Manila Bulletin - Students and Campuses Section

Like their Facebook page here and follow them on twitter HERE

Richard Gutierrez Feature On Manila Bulletin 03142012

Just Like Starting Over

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photo by JERICO MONTEMAYOR

Styled by DONALD ELIZAGA

Grooming by JC CANTOS

Clothes from BENCH

MANILA, Philippines — Richard Gutierrez would have been an athlete by now. In fact, he would find himself imagining donning the Philippine colors, or representing the country in sporting events like basketball, martial arts or swimming.

“Being an athlete was really the direction I was pursuing. I’m the type of person who is constantly looking for new challenges. And I like pushing myself,” the 28-year-old actor says.

Richard is no stranger to staying fit and healthy. He’s been into martial arts since he was a kid, even winning medals for it. He was also a member of the basketball varsity team back in high school in De La Salle-Zobel. But fate had different plans for Richard. When he got back in the country after years of having stayed in the United States, Richard gave acting a shot. Showbiz, after all, is his family’s business.

“At first, what lured me was the prospect of earning my own money. I could go out on the weekends and stuff. Until eventually, I learned to love and appreciate the art, the collaboration of people in terms of creating a movie or TV, and to produce entertainment for the people. Acting just grew on me,” he shares.

Richard has been in the public eye since he was three years old. He appeared in several commercials with twin brother Raymond. When they reached their teens, the two went on separate ways, and worked on their separate careers. Richard went on to acting, and has since then essayed the role of some of TV’s well-loved characters in “Mulawin”, “Sugo”, “Lupin”, “Zorro” and “Captain Barbell”, as well as a leading man in several films.

READY FOR BIGGER CHALLENGES

Today, Richard declares he is ready for bigger challenges. He says he just wants to get out of the box, far away from his comfort zone. While all these years he has maintained a wholesome image, he is now open to all kinds of roles – daring, offbeat, even villain roles.

“I really want to challenge myself this year – to choose the right projects for me, to be hands-on, and to look for new roles. Now is the time for me to explore what more I can deliver, what more I can do, be experimental. I’m at a turning point in my life now. I know I haven’t really reached my maximum potential yet. I feel like I’m just about to start again. And looking at it at that angle excites me,” says Richard, who is starting on a new primetime TV series on GMA soon.

ENTERTAINMENT IS PUBLIC SERVICE

But while Richard is eager to be reinvented as an actor, he intends to remain as host of Survivor Philippines. He also hopes to continue with his environmental programs for GMA News and Public Affairs, which have been winning awards here and abroad.

While everyone else deems the entertainment industry as merely showbiz, the young actor sees it differently. For him, working as an actor is public service.

“Giving entertainment to your audience is public service. It feels great also being an actor, in front of the camera, knowing that you have an audience that appreciates you. It makes your job more fulfilling,” he enthuses.

GOING FOR GREEN AND MANY MORE

A Green Peace advocate since 2007, Richard says that doing documentaries is his modest contribution to the cause. The DVD boxed sets of the documentaries “Signos”, “Planet Philippines”, “Wildlife for Sale”, and “Oras Na” have been donated to various schools, barangays, and fishing villages. Environmental forums are also being hosted by GMA in several schools.

“In the house, medyo weird na nga ang tingin nila sa akin,” he laughs. “I’m quite OC (obsessive-compulsive) when it comes to things like waste segregation. Medyo nagiging hard core na nga ako ngayon. My brothers are starting to get into it and my family,” he adds.

Richard also sends several underprivileged children to school through World Vision. He wishes to have more time for worthy humanitarian causes.

“As celebrities, we also have that responsibility to our audience. If you’re a celebrity and you know that you have a base audience, and you know that people are watching you and that kids are aware of you, do your part and help a cause that you’re passionate about, to create awareness and reach out,” says Richard, who made quite a turnaround, from being that rebellious and mischievous teen as he himself admits, to a hard-core advocate of education and environment.

Richard’s dream now is to produce a big-screen documentary, a la Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The 11th Hour”.

“My long term goal is to make my own movies. Now I’m trying to gain more experience with the documentaries we make. I’m an observant, that’s why I love working with different directors because I get to observe how they work, how they take their shots, how they teach an actor. All these things are like learning for me. I want to go back to school and take up cinematography soon,” says the frustrated photographer/cinematographer.

COMPETING AGAINST SELF

As one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, it is almost impossible that someone like Richard would be single. “For this year, I will focus more on my work. And I’m married to triathlon right now,” he claims.

It is Richard’s newfound love for cycling that steered him to his next sporting destination – triathlon.

“I think the ultimate challenge for fitness is really triathlon. So I started with running. And then I got bored with running so I cross-trained it with swimming and biking. I’m still a rookie. I only started last year. But I plan to join the big races this year,” he says.

Last year, Richard participated in the Ironman Philippines, the country’s top triathlon event, held in Camarines Sur. He was part of a relay team in which he did the 90-kilometer bike ride. He set a target of finishing the 90-km trek in three hours and 15 minutes, and he crossed the line at three hours and five minutes. “I beat my target time by 10 minutes. But I felt like I could’ve performed a million times better,” he says.

Richard enjoyed his first Ironman experience so much that now he is organizing his own triathlon event slated around June in preparation for the next Ironman Philippines.

“Training and getting your mileage up is a lot of hard work. But I’m the type of person who challenges and pushes myself to the limit, and I think triathlon is the perfect sport for me. You’re competing against anyone else but yourself. The rewarding part really is when you see yourself improving coming from a hard training and hard workout,” he says.

He is quick to admit that he still has a long way to go, but with Noy Jopson as his training coach, the first Filipino Ironman winner no less, and cycling coach Patrick Joson, Richard just might finish first!

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Article from mb.com.ph

iStyled: Iza Calzado Feature on Manila Bulletin 01/18/2012

New Beginnings

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photos by PAOLO SY

Styled by JP DICHE and PIERRE PERALTA

Makeup by Don De Jesus (Iza) 

and MAGIC JIMENEZ (MARK)

Hair by DAVE GRONA

Clothes from FASHION FORUM (SM DEPT STORE for IZA)

and BENCH (for MARK McMahon)

MANILA, Philippines — The new year finds actress Iza Calzado in a reflective mode. Maybe this isn’t such a bad time to look back a little, she says, especially after her father’s recent passing. Iza’s father, actor-director-choreographer Lito Calzado, died of liver cancer last November.

Iza admits to still having regrets about the person that she was. And the person that she was before is someone she is not really proud of.

She might, at times, have blamed her father for it – for not pushing her hard enough to her fullest potential, but the award-winning actress says she is thankful that if not for those past experiences, she would not probably be the person that she is now – stronger, wiser, empowered.

And that is what’s good about new years, Iza says. They always give a fresh start and a new hope that this year is going to be better than the last one.

“I made so many mistakes as a kid, as a teenager, in my early 20’s. I still make mistakes now. I’m sure one day I’ll have an interview when I’m 40 and they’ll ask me when you were about to hit 30, did I have

any regrets. But I think I’m making better decisions now, compared to when I was 10 or 18. But still it doesn’t give me the power to turn back the time. I am the person that I am now because of those mistakes and I’m pretty happy with myself,” says Iza.

“I’ve encountered people who’ve been so blessed, who have so much opportunities but are not happy with themselves. I think I’m ok. At the end of the day it’s what makes you happy in your life,” she continues.

For the new year, Iza looks forward to spreading her wings, exploring new things as an actress and more recently as a host. She is excited to be working with more people, actors and actresses she hasn’t worked with before, just to share that energy with them, she says.

“It’s nice to be able to have that release, to have a certain freedom to be someone else, to play, and to share energy with other people. That’s fun for me. And then seeing it on screen, being part of that

film, it’s a great, great feeling, it’s a great escape,” she continues.

Aside from her hosting chores (“Eat Bulaga”, “Party Pilipinas”, “Showbiz Exclusives”), Iza had a guest appearance in the hit Asian TV series “The Kitchen Musical”. Likewise, she is set to do the indie film “Mga Mumunting Lihim” for Cinemalaya this year with Judy Ann Santos.

OF CHANCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Before pursuing an acting career, Iza first worked as a dubber for Mexican telenovelas. At the same time, she was trying to complete her Fine Arts degree, major in Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

“I don’t remember a lot about my school life,” says Iza, who vaguely remembers details of her high school and college years, revealing that it was one of the chapters in her life that she would not want to go back to. “I never really had a lot of discipline. I’m not proud of it, it’s just that was the kind of person I was. So carefree actually,” recalls Iza.

Iza admits she lacked discipline and motivation then to even have a goal in life. “I was never really pushed by my dad or by anyone. And I can’t keep on blaming my dad for not pushing me. Eventually, when I think about it, even as a child, it’s always there, I just never really pushed myself. And it’s really about pushing yourself. It’s just about having a focus and a goal because for the longest time I didn’t have any motivation,” she recalls.

It was after appearing in a shampoo commercial that the morena beauty got noticed for showbiz. “Show business has always been knocking at my door. Even when I was a kid, I was already exposed to showbiz. When I got fat, nawala ‘yung mga offers. When I lost weight tagain, I was offered parts for TV.”

She finally gave in to the idea after her mother died.

“It came at an opportune time because we really needed the money. My mom died and my dad was not doing well financially at that time. The opportunity just kept on popping up, so I said, before magtampo si God or the universe for not acknowledging it, might as well try. So I did. Of course, it was also an excuse to party at that time,” she relates.

“And I don’t say this with pride, I say this as a fact of what I was. Just to let people know that change can happen. It’s all about having faith in yourself and really turning your life around. Not all my decisions were right, or have been fantastic but my decisions have brought me to a better place,” she continues.

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON

For Iza, acting is a continuous learning process. It is no wonder that she is one of the best actresses of this generation. She has won acting awards for her movie performances, and even starred in the Hollywood adaptation of her own local horror flick “Sigaw”.

“I am pretty ambitious in a good way. I want to achieve things. And it felt good. And whatever that drive was, it was all worth it. I enjoy the amount of love and respect that people seem to just hand over to me. But of course, there are also the letdowns. You have people saying bad things about you, but as long as the good things outweigh the bad, and you know that you didn’t do anything wrong to begin with, and you try not to, then I think you are in a good place.”

Right now, Iza relishes her downtime from acting projects and uses this opportunity to better her craft. She recently attended the Stella Adler Workshop under the tutelage of international acting directors Don Williams at Andrew Wade.

“I always wanted to study abroad, but my dad was sick so I can’t really go, I have to work. Just as when I have free time because I’m not doing a soap to pursue something, something naman in my personal

life comes up. It’s a blessing na rin that the workshop was brought here. Everything happens for a reason.”

WOMEN’S CAUSES

In between her acting and hosting stints, Iza also champions women’s causes. In addition, she is involved with the charity projects of Gawad Kalinga and Red Cross.

“That’s one of the reasons why I always push to be better. It came to a point na, I’ve done so many wrong things before, now I can choose to turn my life around. I’m not a saint, and I don’t want to be a saint. I’m not perfect. But in terms of my decisions and drive, I hope I can inspire people, most especially the young ones,” she says.

It is also not a secret that Iza was once overweight and she triumphed over her weight problem through discipline and commitment. “I became fit by running, weight training, and occasional dance classes and Pilates. Recently I started doing CrossFit training and yoga. I still have my insecurities, especially in the business that I’m in, that you are perceived to be in a certain way. But it doesn’t matter because I work hard to be where I am,” says Iza, whose results in adapting a healthier lifestyle is evident in her more defined physique.

As she closes this chapter in her life, Iza looks forward to living new and better ones.

“The past year, I haven’t really done something that inspired me. I did before stuff that challenged me. And it’s been a long time since I have done something that’s a showcase of what I can do. That’s why I also enjoy this time off, because now I’m looking for it. I’m getting that hunger and passion for it back again because I really lost it somewhere along the way,” she ends.

special thanks to Manila Bulletin 

Article from mb.com.ph

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iStyled: Mark McMahon for Manila Bulletin (Nov 23 2011)

The Rookie

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photos by PAOLO SY

Styled by JP DICHE

Grooming by MAGIC JIMENEZ

Hair by DAVE GRONA

Clothes and Accessories from BENCH

MANILA, Philippines — Growing up it was clear to Filipino-Scottish midfielder and striker Mark McMahon what he wanted to do in life — to play for the Philippine National Football Team.

For every kid that plays football, it is a childhood dream for them to be a professional football player, says Mark.

“I realized that I was good at it when people started telling me. Even my father said so. He used to play for the youth team as well. Going pro has always been a dream.

But only some achieve their dreams because they worked hard for it and dedicated themselves to it, and that’s what I intend to do,” says Mark who started playing when he was 11 years old, and quickly developed a high level skill of the game.

And so after representing the youth football team of Scotland from which he gained enough experience, exposure and skills, the 20-year-old Mark felt that it was time to go back to the Philippines and play for his home country.

“I guess it’s the Filipino in me calling. It’s always good to represent your own country. It’s a big deal. I want to be a part of this because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the Philippines,” Mark says.

Earlier this year, Mark had contacted the Azkals through Facebook after reading that the Philippine team was looking for foreign-based players.

“I thought I had a chance to go to the Philippine National Footbal l Team and probably it won’t be that tough to get in because it is still developing. So I flew in, trained and tried out.

I went to the training camp in Bacolod where I played friendly games. It is an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. It is something I want to do, really badly,” relates the semi-professional player for the Scottish club Loreburn Thistle Football Club.

Aside from training for the Azkals, Mark is also a member of the Internacionale Football Club, which plays for the United Football League-Philippines.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Mark came from humble beginnings. He was born in Siargao, Surigao del Norte to a Filipino mother and Scottish father. When the family moved to Glasgow, Scotland, that was when he discovered his love for football.

Since his father is a huge football fan, they would always watch the games together on TV, most especially when matches of Real Madrid or Manchester United were on.

“Football was always on TV and there was always news of people transferring and how much money they earned just to play football. And it’s ridiculous how much money is involved. It’s a sport but also it’s a business. So I thought I want to take this path, be serious and focus on it,” says Mark.

It is important to start in football when you’re a kid, he admonishes.

“Try to learn things while you’re younger, that’s the most important thing to do. Not when you’re older. Learn everything while you’re young,” says Mark, who gives as much importance to his studies having recently graduated with a Sports and Recreation Management degree from the Dumfries and Galloway College.

Aside from his father, Mark names Real Madrid’s top winger, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, as his idol.

“It was his drive and his love for the game that got Cristiano Ronaldo to where he is today.  He is skillful and entertaining. I like players that entertain fans also not just play football. He’s unique, he’s different. When he gets the ball, everyone is always excited because he’s going to do something special and spectacular. He wanted to be the best player in the world when he was young and now he’s achieved that,” says Mark of his idol.

CROSSOVER

When out in the field, Mark likewise manages to stand out in the field with his good looks and physique, so it is no surprise that he has recently crossed over to modeling and acting.

“I always like to do everything, learn new experiences. I find it a challenge because you’re not going to be the best at it just like that. It’s a challenge to improve and make a name for yourself. I remember my family would always tell me, maybe you should try acting or modeling too, because here they like those who have mixed races,” he muses.

Mark was discovered by Elite Modeling Agency in a mall, and not long after, he already got booked for a number of TV and print advertisements, including an endorsement for Bench. He also starred in his first movie, GMA Films’ youth-oriented movie “Tween Academy: Class of 2012”. He recently signed up as one of the newest young talents of GMA Artist Center.

“Opportunities are coming in so fast, and these things I can’t miss. Learning acting is quite a challenge, doing it in front of the camera where people are going to watch you.

It would also be a challenge to make a name for myself in showbiz, modeling and sports. Let’s see how things are going to play out,” he continues, adding that his advantage from among the other Filipino-foreigners pursuing an acting career here is he can speak good Filipino.

“Growing up, my mom would speak to me in Visayan and Tagalog even in Scotland. My dad also loves the Philippines. I eat a lot of Filipino food like isaw and kinilaw. I was taught to say po and opo,” he shares.

HERE TO STAY

Dealing with homesickness is the most difficult among the challenges that he is encountering now that he is living here.

“Being independent is a good experience. I feel like a grown-up. I’ve been here a couple of times for a vacation but this is the longest time that I’ve been away from the family, and it is actually quite harder than I expected. But at the same time, it feels good to support myself, and making money for the family if in case they need anything.”

Mark has no plans of leaving football, even if he is also getting work elsewhere, like modeling and acting, to sustain himself.

“Right now I plan on living here all my life because I want to do well here. But I definitely won’t give up playing football over showbiz. I also hope to coach a football team in the future. I don’t have the qualifications and the experience of coaching yet, maybe I’ll get into that at some point,” he relates.

For aspiring football players, Mark advises them to build their confidence first and foremost. “Keep watching football, keep practicing, and keep fit. If you’re fit, confidence comes in.

You need to have confidence to be what to want to be. Without confidence, you won’t improve. Idolize someone like Ronaldo or the Younghusbands. If you want to be like them, follow what they say. Listen to your coaches. Everyone wants to be their idol. You may follow the path that they did, but it is always better to do your own path,” he ends.

Special thanks to Students and Campuses for the Photos
Visit and Like their Facebook Page HERE
Article from mb.com.ph
Philippine Sports Commission,
 De La Salle University- Office of Sports Development,
Lawrence Cua, Leonard Sy,
Sharon Trinidad of Elite Model Management Manila
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Bench and Georgina Wilson on America's Next Top Model All Stars

Yes!! That's confirmed!!

Georgina Wilson (herself) tweeted it first this afternoon, and Bench confirmed it. Saying that the airing of the America's Next Top Model All Stars Episode will be on Monday November 14, 2011 on ETC.

According to Georgina, the episode was shot in Greece, and she served as a model/stylist who explained to the girls how the shoot will be. The All Stars had to wear Bench Body underwear for a shoot. 

Georgina said she "had to turn up the attitude when one girl didn’t want to model in her skivvies, claiming to be conservative." Let me guess, it's Shannon!!

Here's a teaser photo (from CW.com) of the shoot in Greece with Lisa of the All Stars doing her thing!!

I'm excited to see this one!!

Congrats to Georgina Wilson...and of course to Bench!!

Now another Pinoy Brand makes it to the show!!!

Michael Trevino for Bench Body

Bench is at it again!

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If you are wondering who this hot guy is.... He is Michael Trevino, and he is why I think I'm gonna start watching The Vampire Diaries!! All I know is that his role in The Vampire Diaries is a werewolf! One hell of a hot werewolf!!

Now, Filipinos will be more familiar with this hunk because he is the latest endorser of Bench Body!!! He's another reason why girls (and gays) will start visiting Bench Body stores in the coming weeks!!

Here are the hot photos of Michael Trevino for Bench Body!!!

My Photos: Randy Ortiz for Bench Spring-Summer 2012 (Philippine Fashion Week Oct 23 2011)

Randy Ortiz for Bench, is a designer-retailer collaboration. It is just like Lanvin for H&M, Versace for H&M, and Missoni for Target. It's a way for the general public to get a taste of the talent that's called Randy Ortiz.

Guys painted with black and white, and some floral patterns!

I love that jacket!

Here comes the nice pants!! And yeah the guy in the middle is Marco Lobregat (i think!)

That shirt on the right has really nice pattern!

That's Isabel Daza

and Jake Cuenca... Now we know who created the belt!!

Julia Montes

Mark Mc Mahon

Kim Chiu!!

and the rest of the celebs!