Eighteen-year-old Carlo Guevarra bested hundreds and hundreds of hopefuls in the Be Bench model search. In the process, he won hundreds of thousands worth of prizes, including a much-coveted Bench contract. Now, his face is plastered in major thoroughfares in the country as the newest male muse of the clothing company.

Besides being a Bench model, Carlo is entering show business full time. He has recently joined the cast of youth-oriented show Abt Ur Luv (Saturdays, 10 am), which is celebrating its first year.

Congratulations on winning the Be Bench contest. Did you expect this?

When I joined, I just thought that I’d be happy if I could make it as a finalist. Never in my dreams did I think I would win. Although I secretly hoped for it, I didn’t want to get my hopes high up during the contest. Whatever happens, happens—that’s what I always told myself throughout the competition. 

Many say you didn’t deserve to win. What can you say about that?

I really can’t please everybody. I don’t know what I did right during the contest but I always did my best. As I said, I secretly hoped to win during the contest, but I would’ve accepted it wholeheartedly had I not won. To those who didn’t believe in me, I can only hope they have opened up their minds and are giving me the chance to prove myself. 

So how is show business so far?

Wild! But fun! I really am enjoying the tapings and everyone is nice to me.  

Hasn’t anyone intimidated you yet?

They all do! I mean everyone I’m working with, I used to just watch them on TV and idolize them. I’ve met many of them in person and discovered that they are nice and very open in giving me advice. 

Who are the people you want to work with?

I want to work with Piolo (Pascual), John Lloyd (Cruz). They are very admirable in a sense that they’re very professional and talented. The mere fact that they’re still here after all these years and people still look up to them is very admirable. 

How about the girls?

Of course, I want to work with my crushes! (Laughs) Bea Alonzo and Angel Locsin. I also want to work with Angelica Panganiban. 

You’ll be the subject of rumors and controversies now that you’re in show business. Are you ready?

Yes, I am. I know they can’t find anything about me because I know I’ve never done anything wrong.  

But some will invent things about you....

Well, as long as they don’t involve my family, I can take it. I would know what’s the truth and for me that’s what matters.  

What about those casting-couch rumors about you?

(Laughs hard) It’s totally not true. Everyone saw how all of us in the Be Bench contest worked hard every week. We did a lot of stuff that to some may look easy but it’s actually hard work. Everything happening to me is a result of persistence and determination.

Enchantingly Real

ALREADY one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, Walt Disney Pictures’ Enchanted is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Giselle, a fairy-tale princess who is thrown down a wishing well by her evil stepmother. When she emerges in present-day New York, Giselle soon discovers that the course of true love rarely runs as smoothly as it does in the world of make-believe.

Gab Fab: Catch Carlo

Eighteen-year-old Carlo Guevarra bested hundreds and hundreds of hopefuls in the Be Bench model search. In the process, he won hundreds of thousands worth of prizes, including a much-coveted Bench contract. Now, his face is plastered in major thoroughfares in the country as the newest male muse of the clothing company.

Sofitel Magic

IT’S that time of the year again when one’s social life goes full-speed. December is a favorite month for weddings, sociocivic club anniversary celebrations, product events—in fact, it is the ideal time for any event held indoors or in the open air because the rainy season is behind us.

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