AMONG the Eigenmanns, said to be our local Barrymores, Geoff has the sweetest, most decent-looking face. So adorably delightful is the young actor that he was handpicked by Hanford, a “conservative” underwear brand, to be its newest endorser.

Built on Christian values, Mansfield International Inc., the makers of Hanford, detests outlandish displays of flesh in its advertising campaigns. On its huge billboards is a fully clothed Geoff, wearing the Filipino-owned 50-year-old label’s crisp shirts.

“Just like Dingdong Dantes before him, and Cesar Montano and Carlos Agassi before them, Geoff epitomizes the brand,” explained Pilar de Guzman, the marketing manager. “We hope that his celebrity status can equal or surpass [what the past endorsers have] done for the brand.”

The Hanford Classic, which Geoff will endorse, “suits the typical and classic man who is dedicated to balance his family and career successfully while pursuing his other interests that complement his life.” Other lines include the Sport, 100% Cotton, Ice, Boys and Fem.

“This is something big for me,” the handsome lad, 22, said nervously at the launch many moons ago, as if underscoring that his previous high-profile endorsement for Human was kid stuff.  “I am given a chance to be more mature. I am privileged, honored and happy [to be chosen by Hanford].”

Though hefty for an underwear model, Geoff admitted that as the brand’s image, he is compelled to keep a fit physique. “I am more disciplined now with how I am in my life, like eating right, having self-control and exercising,” he said. “The current campaign is just a teaser. I guess to my underwear, that’s how far I would go.”

The entertainment press, not exactly dominated by demure types, wanted to find out if the newest Hanford man did, indeed, wear the brand that night. With some hesitation, Geoff gamely offered a peek to his drawers. But, only at the stub where the Hanford name was etched. His mom, the great actress Gina Alajar, who, at the start of her career had her fair share of disrobing before attaining acclaim, good-naturedly reprimanded the reporters to spare her son from their lascivious intents.

“From a Christian perspective, we will promote underwear without going bare. We want to be as wholesome as possible without crossing the borderline,” de Guzman enlightened. “Geoff was chosen for his visibility, at MYX where he has a daily segment, and at ASAP.” His last TV series was Rounin, with First Day High his most recent movie.

“Of course, there is pressure on me, because Hanford is part of Philippine culture,” the charming actor admitted. “I know I have big shoes to fill. I am working hard and working out a lot.”

Gab Fab: Dark days, ‘Dark Materials’

IT was, literally and figuratively, a dark day last Thursday, November 29, 2007.

The sky was cloudy and it was raining intermittently. This was the day when Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV chose to create chaos by walking out of his mutiny hearings at the Makati City Hall and trooped to the posh Peninsula Manila hotel to make some so-called stand, some statement, along with his friend Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

Eliza Dushku goes from ‘Buffy’ to group sex

IF you make a movie about group sex, you must be prepared to own up to your point of view on the subject. But when actress Eliza Dushku, star of the indie Sex and Breakfast, which opens in limited release Friday, is asked whether she’s pro or con group canoodling, she giggles, before fessing up, she’s more of a monogamous kind of gal.

Dog Show

IF you’ve read the book, why watch the play?

The recent staging of Jessica Hagedorn’s more successful novel, Dogeaters, by Atlantis Productions was met with great expectations. Finally, an acclaimed material from the US written by a successful Filipino-American author is here. For Filipinos here and abroad, it’s something to be proud of, despite the title’s derogatory reference to their race.

Larger than Lagerfeld

BEFORE leaving his Paris apartment every day, designer Karl Lagerfeld sorts through a large platter filled with chunky silver rings, deftly slipping his selections onto his fingers until his hands resemble medieval armored gloves.

Hands Off Geoff

AMONG the Eigenmanns, said to be our local Barrymores, Geoff has the sweetest, most decent-looking face. So adorably delightful is the young actor that he was handpicked by Hanford, a “conservative” underwear brand, to be its newest endorser.