MANILA, Philippines - The Bench blackout denim and underwear show last Friday at the Big Dome was a feast for the senses and stimulus for the urges. It was a playful mix and match of Kapuso and Kapamilya stars.

Dingdong Dantes was the best-applauded of the lot. Like a demi-god, Dong, wearing nothing but briefs, stood mightily on the highest part of the stage as the crowd worshipped him.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Dong told us later. “I was more excited to eat afterwards. I had crispy pata and beer.”

Sam Milby, Diether Ocampo, John Estrada, Marco Alcaraz, Rafael Rosell (whose nude silhouette was shown) and my IC’s crush, Jon Avila, were standouts. “Being shirtless here and wearing trunks sa PBB before is as far as I’ll go,” Sam said. “Di ko kaya... beyond that.”

It was the first time for gorgeous couple John Estrada and Priscilla Mireilles to walk the ramp together. “It felt weird but it was fun,” John said. Will it be walking down the aisle for them next? “Not yet,” he replied. Once is enough for him? “We just haven’t talked about it.”

Jomari Yllana tripped, but charmed his way out of it. Some models did a Jacko, grabbing their crotch. Marco Alcaraz, naughtily threw extra undies to the audience. Kris Aquino and James Yap opted to stay in the lower box section instead of the star-studded ringside. Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga looked like they’re officially a couple again.

Conspicuously not in the show’s lineup were Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz. Being a Bench endorser has become sort of the benchmark of a star’s popularity. If they have it, celebs don’t just flaunt it—they Bench it!

Nightcap

After the show, Jake Cuenca had a nightcap with Bea Alonzo, ABS-CBN bigwig Deo Endrinal and Zanjoe Marudo at Moksha. Were they celebrating the success of the sold out “Blackout” or Jake and Bea’s budding romance?

Cupid captives?

Are Marvin Agustin and Diana Zubiri the newest captives of Cupid? “Sa amin na lang muna ’to,” pleaded Diana.

Perhaps they want to savor the joys of being a couple in private before they shout it out to the whole world. Private downplay of affection says more than public display of admission. PDA reinvented?

Guess who

Guess who this young actress is. She orders her maid (after doing the household chores) to massage her even when she’s asleep. Once the maid stops, she wakes up. Made to torture?

Original music

Industry-recognized R&B acts like Nathan J (Best R&B Hip Hop Artist ’05), rapper/producer Jimmy Muna, Marcus Adams (who penned “Filipina Girl”), pretty babe Amber and DJ/vocalist Rye are all proud to be originals.

“I’d like to see more of us find ourselves by incorporating Filipino culture into our music,” says Amber. “Some of us are forced to cover records even if Pinoys are too talented not to be given the chance to sing their own songs.” Check out their cool music via PLDT MyDSL’s unlimited broadband. “With the Internet, everybody’s music has a chance to be heard,” says Rye. “No restrictions.” Hail to broadband bonding of music buds!

Anniversary concert

Megastar Sharon Cuneta will take us down memory lane in one delightful show, her anniversary concert “Megathirty” (produced by Artist House) on Aug. 8, 8 p.m. at the Big Dome (call 911-5555). Thirty colorful years and countless hits!

New deal

Make way for Parokya ni Banker, a drum and bugle corps in Season 3 of Kris Aquino’s “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” starting tonight on ABS-CBN, with Gabby Concepcion as guest.

Meet the hot new 26K girls and join the promo starting Aug. 4. Eight studio players became instant millionaires last season. ’Tis the (KDOND) season to be merry with money.

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