#bench ad

I seldom pass by the Guadalupe bridge in EDSA. But I was shocked nonetheless when I saw these series of billboards fr. Bench. 

Bench has always been creative when it comes to their billboards. Usually, it's catchy, really. Especially the ones they put on that area where they placed these series as well. 

But this one, I found kinda 'off'. It was catchy alright, I guess with the humongous amount of Beckys and girls in our society who probably found this as one eye-candy. But after that initial 'catch', it just seemed to be like the athletes were sort of being exploited. But maybe that's just me! 

Actors are actors. Singers, singers. Models, models. And athletes, athletes! I just hate it when one actor tries to be everything eventhough he clearly has no talent in that other field! Don't you hate it as well???? 

It's just sad that sometimes, our athletes have to resort to these means (modeling, acting, etc.) just to get noticed and of course, eventually, sponsors! Sad, but true.

Philippine Volcanoes “Men in Briefs” Bench Billboard Removed

The “Men In Briefs” Bench billboard of the Philippine Rugby Team, more popularly known as Philippine Volcanoes, along Guadalupe has been removed. Reports said the advertiser acceded to the request of Mandaluyong city mayor Benhur Abalos for the removal of the sexy underwear ad.

Valenzuela city mayor Sherwin Gatchalian first broke the news Thursday with the following post on Twitter: “Good news! Just talked to Mayor Abalos of Mandaluyong. He ordered the removal of the 'men in briefs' billboard! Thank you Mayor Abalos!,” Gatchalian tweeted. He also re-tweeted Abalos' reply, as follows: “Mayor Abalos: I personally investigated it and I myself was shocked to see it! Thanks again!” Netizens on Twitter and Facebook went abuzz with tweets and status updates criticizing the sexy Philippine Volcanoes rugby team billboard spreading left and right. While many people liked it, more found it indecent. The billboard has become a favorite topic on social networking sites after questions such as “Why did authorities singled-out the PHL Volcanoes billboard?” and “Why only that particular billboard was removed when there are other ads with sexy photos along EDSA?” were brought up. The rugby team, whose members are currently in Australia, has not issued an official statement regarding the issue as of this posting.

So I was on my way to Fort last night when my friend suddenly bbm'd about these billboards being removed! Did I feel sad? Not really. Rather, I felt okay lang. Coz I really feel that the marketing & advertising people genius behind Bench can come up with something way better than these!! 

Mayor Abalos was probably disturbed as well! I guess, any parent/grandparent would be too! I remembered back when I was still teaching, we passed by a huge billboard of Dingdong Dantes as well somewhere along EDSA where he was also just wearing briefs (see: http://thebaklareview.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/bench-billboard-dingdong-dantes/). My 5 and 6 year old kiddos (esp. the guys), started screaming and laughing: "yuck!! why is that guy in his underwear only Ms.?" So this reaction of Mayor Abalos shouldn't really be a surprise to most of us. After all, many were probably thinking it already! The only difference is that, Mayor Abalos had a public voice! Fortunately for some, his voice was one that which the people behind Bench heard. While for some, (esp. my becky friends!), oh well, I guess there's always the calendar Bench continues to sell!!   So to the Philippine Volcanoes & Azkals (coz Aly Borromeo has one as well), I'm sure you'll continue shining with or without these billboards! Be like Phil or James Younghusband! Go endorse something like toyo or suka.. or whatever else. Just not in briefs anymore!