Following the success of its inaugural issue, the latest edition of Benchmark magazine takes a look at the human physique, just in time for summer. Headlined by two of Bench’s bastions of manhood, Richard Gomez and Borgy Manotoc, the mag takes us into a world where beauty goes beyond the surface.
Taking cues from the legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, one of Manila’s most in-demand lensmen, BJ Pascual, and Izzy Tuason of The Dandy Project (which has been lauded by the international fashion community, from CNN to W Magazine) collaborated on a fashion editorial that showcased physical beauty—the kind usually glorified on billboards—and explored the virtues of love, pain, toughness, and tenderness that come with the territory. The result is a striking depiction of the body that pays tribute to Mapplethorpe’s aesthetics.
And speaking of billboards, Gomez and Manotoc have long stood as our ideals of what masculinity looks like. Since his rise as a movie heartthrob, Gomez has been the poster boy of the Pinoy man we all aspire to be, with dashing good looks and a stellar career.
Manotoc started young in the modeling world, and has since matured into a self-assured man, learned in the ways of the world. Working
together for the first time, they evoked the idea of manhood and the fleeting nature of fame, and then shared thoughts on growing up in the company of women, as well as the responsibility of being a man.
In the new issue, Benchmark wakes up with seven of Manila’s most in-demand models, such as Valerie Weigmann, Sky Yang and Catriona Gray, photographed them fresh from a good night’s sleep—no makeup or anything—and talked to them about their morning rituals.
The new issue also features an interesting cast of personalities. The Teng brothers give us a peek into their gym bags; Andre and Kobe Paras talk about love and basketball; LGBT couple Jujiin Samonte and Paulo Castro share their creative pursuits; and rising star Dominique Cojuangco proves she’s more than what her family background makes her out to be.
With high-flying fashion editorials highlighting the best Bench and Suyen Corp. brands this season, as well as a guide to the beauty products you’ll be needing in your essentials kit, the second issue of Benchmark sizzles with summer’s bright wonders.
Get a free Benchmark magazine with a minimum P1,200 single-receipt net purchase from selected participating stores. Promo runs until June 4.