MANILA, Philippines ? The Bench Body show was the shrieking climax of recent Fashion Week shows held at the SMX Convention Center. The pelting rain did not dampen the spirits of gays and matronas who filled the enormous Hall One and Two to the rafters.

Bench head honcho Ben Chan, Tessie Coson and patriarch Henry Sy were seated front row and center. Diehard fans cheered as the brand?s stable of thoroughbred movie and TV stars cantered down the runway in their gym-toned bodies. The all-black stage was rigged with enough lights and sounds to make for a spectacular show.

Bench?s main PR man Jojo Liamzon revealed Bench is doing very well in its 61 outlets in China, particularly Shanghai and Qianjang.

Absent from the lineup of heartthrobs and hunks was Dingdong Dantes, who is reportedly the brand?s highest-paid model. Still, there were Piolo Pascual, Christian Bautista, Enchong Dee, John Prats, and Diether Ocampo, all fully clothed in Pinoy Lab collection.

The collection had two ?stories?: Preppy meets Flashdance, where the actors wore classic cotton khaki and white linen tailored polos, flippant skirts, jodhpurs, shorts and cardigans paired with black leggings.

The other trends were denim and tops, which were decidedly nationalistic and splattered with paint. Stylist Noel Manapat mined the richness of Ifugao and Igorot patterns and Tinalak flame stitch stripes and festooned T-shirts, boleros, scarves, jeans back pockets and fitted jackets with them. That?s something we can all wear with pride.