Just when every body thought things could not possibly get any bigger or grander for Bench, the Filipino retail giant pulls the stops on all its artistic, creative strings by giving the public something to whet their pop culture appetites: Benchingko Films, a series of short films with an all-star cast paired with the finest directors in the country.
"We saw it fit to celebrate our 25th year milestone with a series of short films, our way of giving back to loyal customers who have supported the brand through the years," says Bench founder and chief executive officer Ben Chan at the venture's recent launch. "Fashion changes and is always evolving. We have lasted this long because we figured out how to ride the waves of change. I am a big movie fan, and I know that they last longer than fashion. Some movies are made to last forever. In fact, when you watch a movie, they somehow capture the culture of the people who makes them. "
Chan adds, "Movies stay in people's minds and hearts. Some become classics. Others become favorites. A few gain the legendary status. Since we are celebrating our silver anniversary, we wanted to make something truly classic and ageless. So, we made these films with the hope that people love them as well, the way they have loved and supported Bench."  
Benchingko Films is the first online short film initiative done by the fashion and lifestyle house. Twenty-five films will roll on line with the first batch featuring Ben Chan and top stars Lucy Torres-Gomez, Piolo Pascual, Lovi Poe, Coco Martin and the great Bella Flores.

25 Bens
Think Michael Keaton in Multiplicity and that's what you see in 25 Bens. Clad in his trademark all-black ensemble, the short film shows a humorous and tongue-in-cheek peek at the life of the man behind the global brand.
It's eerie and funny at the same time to set eyes on 25 Bens talking among themselves about the brand and how far it has come, making fun of each other and hearing that distinctive, gentle Ben Chan voice.

Star Teacher
This is a mini-documentary that highlights a day in the life of Lucy Torres-Gomez and her hometown, the city of Ormoc.
Here, the lovely Lucy traces her roots back and visits a school where she makes environmental issues relevant to pre-schoolers by way of a read-along and puppet show.
The documentary lovingly captures Lucy's close relationship with the school, her students and her love for Ormoc.
It is both eye-opening and heartwarming with a very relevant environmental message. After watching it, one is immediately intrigued by Ormoc and marvel at its bucolic charms.

Perya
The Philippines' most beautiful man Piolo Pascual was cast for the role, his character imprisoned and forced to perform at a local carnival headed by freaks and ghoulish looking denizens
With no less than the great Toppel Lee directing the short, it boasts of stellar cinematography and an emotionally moving script that will make you believe that scarred people are beautiful.

Kama
This is a musical trilogy that showcases two gay men and their first attempt to consummate their affair; a henpecked husband bored to tears and on the verge of lunacy; and the comely Lovi Poe teasing Lou Veloso with her dance of Salome that elevates Veloso to the apex of his fantasies.

Horsepower
This short is like The Fast and the Furious Filipino version, in which, instead of Ferraris and Porsches, jeepneys rule! Coco Martin stars in this tightly edited feature that presents the choice between a gamble for a better life and the quiet safety of being with one's beloved family. Fans will surely cheer for their primetime drama king.  

Kontrabida Pa Rin at 84
What happens when Jose Javier Reyes teams up with one of the living Philippine cinema legends, the Bella Flores? The film is a laugh-out-loud trip that gives audiences a crash course on becoming the primera contravida.
After watching this, one will immediately join in the clamor to vote for Flores as the Philippines' national contravida!  

Benchingko Films are packed with a little bit of everything for everyone — delight, drama, humor, humanity, romance, rapture and above all, love! A Benchingko Films Web site that will house all films and make them available for online viewing will be launched soon. For more updates like Bench official Facebook page and follow @benchtm via Twitter.