Meteoric star ready to disrobe
Posted: 11:14 PM (Manila Time) | Nov. 08, 2003
By Marinel R. Cruz and Che-Che Moral
Inquirer News Service

Pose for underwear

TAIWANESE superstar Jerry Yan, also known as Dao Ming Si of the hit chinovela "Meteor Garden," is willing to pose in underwear in print ads for the Philippine clothing company Bench, which brought him to Manila for a two-day visit.

"I hope so," the Mandarin-speaking Yan said in English when asked whether he would pose in Bench underwear, like many of the local star endorsers of Bench.

About 300 fans, who packed Le Pavillon in Pasay City during Friday's press conference called "Love Ko Bench Jerry Yan," screamed when Yan gave this answer. The fans were wearing "Love Ko Bench" shirts and waving placards that said, "Dao is the reason we chose Bench."

Most pleased, however, was Bench's top honcho Ben Chan, who beamed and nodded appreciatively. Yan, a.k.a. Dao Ming Si (his character in the chinovela "Meteor Garden" that catapulted him to massive popularity in Asia), is the apparel's latest endorser.

At the by-invitation presscon, it was hard to distinguish the fans from the journalists and the journalists from the fans, as they went on shrieking frenzy.

Perfumed matrons in chauffeured cars and colegialas in their school uniforms hobnobbed with fans donning identical T-shirts with the slogan "love ko bench" emblazoned across the front (the same tee Yan wears in the billboards and posters) as they patiently waited for the pop star's arrival. (The "fans" were reportedly Bench employees who had to draw lots for the chance to see their idol.)

Security was tight. Scores of uniformed security men were posted all over. Bodyguards in business suits were stationed at the foot of the stage. Cargo vans were also rented to secure his arrival via a chopper from the Peninsula Manila, where he was billeted.

A red passport-like invite was needed to get in. Journalists were restricted to only one question each, and were instructed to focus only on Yan's work and brand endorsement. "Personal and complex questions" were immediately shut down.

"It's a logistical nightmare," said a Bench representative, "but we wanted to reassure them (Yan's party) that he will be safe."

Bench reportedly paid a staggering 14 million pesos for the endorsement. But the representative refused to confirm the actual figure. "It would be in bad taste," he said.

That may be true. But if the reception at the presscon was anything to go by, it was an amount well spent.

It was total pandemonium when the chopper bearing the good-looking star was flashed on the projector screen. Wild shrieks rivaled the sound system playing Yan's records. The suspense was palpable as it took a good five minutes before Yan finally alighted from the aircraft, onto the red carpet and into the sea of screaming admirers. He was wearing the same shirt as his Bench fans, a loose blue-gray denim jeans and a buckled leather cuff on his left wrist.

A small makeshift stage was set up outside for fans. He said "hello" on the microphone and, upon Chan's prodding, uttered the slogan for the Bench campaign. He flashed a boyish grin and said, "Mahal ko kayo," again to much applause.

Delirious cries welcomed the tall singer-actor as he finally stepped onto the presscon area. Visibly grateful for the opportunity to see the mop-haired Yan, the predominantly female crowd cheered, "I love you, Ben Chan!"

Before asking her one-question, a young journalist-fan giggled, "Jerry, wo ay ni (the Chinese phrase for 'I love you')," to which the actor smilingly replied in English, "Thank you." The entire room cheered in pleasure. They listened to the 26-year-old actor intently, unmindful that they didn't understand a word of Mandarin, his native tongue.

Permitted by security at the last minute, videocams, digital cameras and camera-equipped cell phones were brandished all over the place.

Fits Bench image

Yan admitted his aversion to shopping, and professed his preference for casual wear. His favorites from the Bench collections, he said, were the underwear. When Lifestyle asked if he preferred boxers or briefs, he smiled bashfully, and simply said he liked both, to the dismay of eager fans who were practically drooling for juicier and more personal details about their idol.

"Jerry is sporty and that fits the Bench image," Chan said. "He has a lean and muscular physique that's a delight to dress up." Or -- if an underwear endorsement deal is ever forged --a delight to undress.

Yan also encouraged Filipino fans of his group, F4, to support other Taiwanese pop groups like 5566 and Energy "because they are really hardworking."

"I hope they become successful, too," Yan said of the other Taiwanese groups in Friday's lunch with local media people.

"Meteor Garden," featuring Yan and the other members of F4, is a hit on ABS-CBN. Another Taiwanese pop group, 5566, whose debut album has taken many parts of Asia by storm, starred on GMA 7's "My MVP Valentine."

The 5566 band had held the top spot in record sales charts in Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Of F4, Yan insisted that it has not been disbanded. He said he and the other members of the group were simply busy with their individual careers.

Yan said he himself has been making movies while another member, Vanness Wu, has been busy with his singing career.

"I've answered this questions a couple of times already," Yan said of F4's reported disbanding.

"We have not disbanded," he maintained. "Given the right movie, we'll gladly work together again."

He said he hoped to have his own concert in Manila, too.

F4 has been described as "the biggest boy band in Asia."

He will be back on Nov. 28 with "Meteor Garden" costar Vic Zhou for a concert at The Fort Open Field sponsored by ABS-CBN.

Yan said he was grateful for the warm welcome given to him by Bench and his Filipino fans.

"I've had many ups and downs since I joined the entertainment industry years ago," he said and triggered another round of screams when he added, "It comforts me to see all my fans here."

Bench gave away over a hundred access passes to fans and Bench customers through its "Crazy 4 Jerry?" on-line promo.

"All the hassle of joining was worth it," said die-hard "Meteor Garden" fan Toni David. "I was able to take pictures of Jerry."

Anchor Pia Guanio instructed local media to ask only questions about Yan's Bench endorsement and not about "anything too personal."

"If you still want to ask him whether he has a girlfriend, ask at your own risk," said Guanio. "I suggest that you just follow these simple rules. You only get to ask one question each."

But the local media people were persistent, asking Yan what he thought of President Macapagal and Filipino women, and the qualities he would look for in a girlfriend.

"The President is nice," Yan said. "I found her to be a very good person, an intellectual. I'm happy to have met her and the children."

Of his patron, Chan, Yan said in halting English, "He's a nice guy. Every time I see him, he smiles."

Orphans from the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul and Caritas, cancer patients from the Philippine General Hospital and indigent children receiving support from First Gentleman Mike Arroyo were allowed to join the President and Yan during the courtesy call last Thursday.

Beauty stylist Ricky Reyes also brought some children beneficiaries of his charity foundation.

"I see many beautiful Filipinas around," Yan said. "I find Filipino women very lively. That's what I like most about them."

Yan is finishing his first solo album, which Sony Music Philippines will release early next year.

He is reportedly also set to do a movie for Star Cinema early next year. Last August, ABS-CBN showed "Love Scar," which starred Yan and Taiwanese actress Karen Mok.

pics:

picture # 1

YAN NA SYA! Owing to tight security, Yan’s arrival at Le Pavillion from the Peninsula Manila is seemingly calm and uneventful . . .

OH, BABY, BABY... A multitude of Dao Ming Si diehards clamors to get an autograph of the pop sensation, but he is quickly whisked away after the 45-minute presscon.

BENCHMEN. The pop star, here with Chan, confesses he doesn't like to shop and wears whatever they give him.

BENCH MARK. Yan asks his Pinoy fans to support other Taiwanese pop groups. Chito Vecina

DAO SHALL RETURN. Yan, with co-F4 Vic Zhou, will return to Manila for a concert at The Fort on Nov. 29.

source: http://www.inq7.net/ent/2003/nov/09/ent_1-1.htm