Penshoppe is a clothing brand based in the Philippines established in 1986.

Brand History[link]

Known for its fresh take on casual wear, high quality products and affordable prices, Penshoppe is the flagship brand of Golden ABC, and one of the Philippines’ leading casual clothing brands. It started in 1986, as a college project between friends. Today, it is one of the country’s leading fashion retail powerhouses.

After conquering the market in Visayas and Mindanao, Penshoppe migrated to the big city: Manila. The first boutique opened its doors in SM City North EDSA in 1991. Since then, Penshoppe's network of stores has grown to 300 sites, all strategically located in the key areas where its loyal style-aware patrons shopped, hung out and had fun.

Endorsers[link]

Local[link]

Previously, the brand had Nikki Gil, Heart Evangelista and Jericho Rosales as their local celebrity models. Some of the current local celebrity endorsers include, Mikael Daez, Victor Basa, Solenn Heussaff, Bea Soriano, and Akihiro Sato.

International[link]

The brand previously had Mandy Moore as a celebrity endorser back in 2001. In 2011, the brand signed Gossip Girl Ed Westwick^[1] as a international celebrity endorser.^[2] Thai actor, Mario Maurer, signed a contract with PR Asia to become an international endorser for the clothing brand.^[3] In April 2012, the company announced that Zac Efron will also be endorsing the clothing brand and is set to visit in the Philippines later this year. On May 17th, 2012, American actor and model Ian Somerhalder, a.k.a Damon Salvatore of the CW Television Network's The Vampire Diaries, announced he was endorsing Penshoppe and tweeted, "See you soon PHILIPPINES! ;) Let’s rock this #PENSHOPPEAllStars". In May 2012, Leighton Meester who is also a Gossip Girl cast member, became an endorser for Penhshoppe's campaign "All Stars".^[4]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Penshoppe

Ian Somerhalder
Born	Ian Joseph Somerhalder (1978-12-08) December 8, 1978 (age 33) Covington, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, model
Years active	1997–present

Ian Joseph Somerhalder (born December 8, 1978) is an American actor and model, best known for playing Boone Carlyle in the TV drama Lost and Damon Salvatore in the TV drama The Vampire Diaries.

Early life[link]

Somerhalder was born and raised in Covington, Louisiana, the son of Edna, a massage therapist, and Robert Somerhalder, an independent building contractor.^[1] Raised Catholic, he attended St. Paul's, a private Catholic school in Covington. He embarked on a modeling career from age 10 to 13,^[2] and by the age of 17 he decided to go into acting.

Career[link]

Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder

In the summer of 2000, Somerhalder starred in the short-lived WB series Young Americans, a spin-off of Dawson's Creek. He played Hamilton Fleming, the son of the dean of a prestigious boarding school. In 2002, Somerhalder played bisexual character Paul Denton in Roger Avary's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel, The Rules of Attraction, alongside James Van Der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, and Jessica Biel.

In 2004, Somerhalder scored his breakthrough role when he played Boone Carlyle in the hit TV show Lost. Despite his character's death in the twentieth episode of the first season, Somerhalder returned to the role of Boone for seven more episodes between 2005 and 2010, including the series finale. Somerhalder was the first actor to be cast in a role for the series and the first character to die.

In 2009, Somerhalder appeared in the movie The Tournament where he played the role of an assassin participating in a lethal competition with other assassins. On 10 October 2009, it was announced that he will star in the Gothic movie Cradlewood, which is to be directed by Harry Weinmann.^[3] The movie is set to be released in 2013.^[4] He appears in the coffee table book About Face by celebrity photographer John Russo.^[5][6]

In June 2009 Somerhalder was cast in the role of Vampire Damon Salvatore as a series regular in The CW television drama series The Vampire Diaries. The series premiere attracted The CW's highest premiere ratings of any season premiere since the network began in 2006. The series has continued to be the highest rated series on its channel with both Somerhalder's performance and show receiving a positive response from critics. Somerhalder has received a Teen Choice Award for his participation on the series. The shows third and most recent season premiered on September 15, 2011.^[7]

Personal life[link]

While working on The Vampire Diaries, Somerhalder began dating his co-star Nina Dobrev.^[8]

Philanthropy[link]

Somerhalder was involved in the cleanup after the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster on April 22, 2010. His efforts included cleaning of oiled wildlife and taping public service announcements to let the public know how they could help.^[9] Somerhalder also supports the St. Tammany Humane Society, an organization for animal shelter and welfare. On November 13, 2010, he hosted a Bash on the Bayou charity fundraiser for the Society. During the event, Somerhalder was presented with a donation of $11,100 by The Vampire Diaries fandom for his birthday project.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Together with his The Vampire Diaries co-stars Candice Accola and Michael Trevino, Somerhalder supports the It Gets Better Project, which makes it a goal to prevent suicide among LGBT youth^[14] associated with The Trevor Project.^[15]

Somerhalder announced, via Twitter and in various interviews that he was setting up The Ian Somerhalder Foundation (launched on December 8, 2010, Somerhalder's 32nd birthday), which he hopes will educate people on the importance of protecting the environment and animals: "Instead of gifts this year, my birthday wish is that we come together and raise funds to support projects that protect our habitat and nurture our furry friends.^[16][17]

Filmography[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ian Somerhalder

• Ian Somerhalder at the Internet Movie Database
• Ian Somerhalder on Twitter

Mario Maurer
Mario Maurer (มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ)
Born	Mario Maurer (1988-12-04) 4 December 1988 (age 23) Thailand
Other names	Nuttavut Maurer
Occupation	Actor, model, singer
Years active	2004–present
Religion	Roman Catholic
Website
http://www.ohohmario.com/

Mario Maurer (Thai: มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ, born December 4, 1988 in Thailand) is a Thai model and actor. He is best known for his lead roles in the 2007 film, The Love of Siam and the 2010 sleeper hit, First Love (A Little Thing Called Love).

Biography[link]

Mario Maurer was born in Bangkok, Thailand. He is of Thai-Chinese and German descent^[1] He attended school at St. Dominic Catholic School in Bangkok and now is studying in Ramkhamhaeng University, majoring in Communication Arts. Mario Maurer is a Roman Catholic.^{[citation needed]} At the age of 16, Maurer became a model doing photo shoots, commercials and music videos. In 2007, he made his feature film debut in a leading role in The Love of Siam, written and directed by Chukiat Sakweerakul.^[2] The role "Tong" brought him many accolades and instant fame far beyond Thailand's borders. Commenting on his new-found fame, "I didn't want to do it, Acting wasn't on my list to do." He decided to do the movie because he trusted the director "Chukiat" and the movie would give him many opportunities. He'd be making money to help his family. He became famous in this film because of his gay role.^[3]

His other work as a model.

The film's promotion did not play up its homosexual romance. Nonetheless, most critics have given extremely positive reviews.^[4] When asked about his kissing scenes with Witwisit Hirunwongkul in The Love of Siam, Maurer said, "I was nervous. I've never kissed a man and kissing is not something you do every day."^[5] Maurer has been nominated for an Asian Film Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Love of Siam, but lost to Sun Hong-Lei for Mongol.^[6] He won the Best Actor award in Southeast Asian film category at the 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival. His performance was described as "Mature acting choices within a wide range of situations. Beneath a calm and placid external demeanor his performance he displayed a rich inner struggle dealing with emotional burdens, with family, friends, his social circle and his romantic and sexual awakening."^[7]

He won the Best Actor award in Starpics Thai Films Awards and also nominated in Bangkok Critics Assembly and Star Entertainment Awards.^[8]

Director Bhandit Rittakol had approached Maurer for Boonchu 9, but he was tied up with other projects.^[9] He has been cast in the 2008 film by Chatchai Naksuriya, Friendship. The film is set around 1983. Maurer starring opposite Apinya Sakuljaroensuk,^[10] as 12th grade student. That same year he appeared in a segment of the four-story anthology 4 Romance (segment "Joob" or Kiss) directed by Rashane Limtrakul^[11] Maurer's projects after 2008 include a comedy-horror film written and directed by Yuthlert Sippapak, Rahtree Reborn, scheduled for release in April 2009, in which he starred opposite Chermarn Boonyasak.^[12]

Maurer gained popularity after he starred in the 2010 film First Love (A Little Thing Called Love).

Other work[link]

Maurer (right) with his brother and his mother

His brother Marco, teamed up in a hip-hop duo "PsyCho & Lil’Mario" with Mario. They have released their debut PsyCho & Lil’Mario: Dem Crazy Boyz on October 31, 2007.^[13] He worked as a hypeman in this album. But Maurer later described "It was just for fun. I know myself – I'm not a singer. That's not my dream."^[3]n

Maurer participated in endorsements for the first time for Exit Rollon and other popular brands such as The Pizza Company, Sugus, Foremost and now he acted as the presenter for Honda Jazz,^[14] Pepsi, Dutchmill and Sony Ericsson. In July 2011, he was signed to become an endorser for the Philippine clothing brand, Penshoppe ^[15] He also signed a one movie picture contract with Star Cinema, a Philippine film production company. He will be paired with Erich Gonzales in the film that is due to release in 2012.^[16][16] On October 28, 2011, Maurer had a Press and Fan Conference in Philippine International Convention Center with thousands of fans in attendance, as a part of his official launch as a Penshoppe endorser.^[17] On October 29, he hit the runway at the Philippine Fashion Week held at SMX Convention Center.^[18][19]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mario Maurer

• Official website
• Mario Maurer on Twitter
• Mario Maurer at the Internet Movie Database

Leighton Meester
Meester at Chanel's SoHo store re-opening, September 9, 2010
Born	Leighton Marissa Meester (1986-04-09) April 9, 1986 (age 26) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, singer, model
Years active	1999–present
Website
leightonmeestermusic.com

Leighton Marissa Meester (born April 9, 1986)^[1] is an American actress and singer. Meester first garnered attention and critical acclaim for playing Blair Waldorf in the CW's teen drama television series Gossip Girl. She most recently appeared in the 2010 country drama film Country Strong, the 2011 thriller The Roommate, and the 2011 romantic-comedy Monte Carlo.

Early life[link]

Meester was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Constance and Douglas Meester and lived most of her life in New York City and Los Angeles.^[2][3][4] Meester's last name is the Dutch word for "master" or "teacher".^[5]

At the time of her birth, her mother was serving time in a federal prison for her involvement in a drug ring that smuggled marijuana from Jamaica to the United States. She was able to give birth to Leighton in a hospital and nurse her for three months in a halfway house, before returning to prison to complete her sentence,^[2][3] after which Leighton's grandmother cared for her. She has a brother, Alexander, who is 8 years younger.

Meester has maintained that her parents gave her a normal upbringing and, despite their criminal past, are good people with experience that has only made Meester more open-minded and non-judgmental, "It made me realize that you can't judge anyone — especially your parents — for what they've done in their past, because people change."^[6] Meester has joked, "Look, I could've turned out a lot worse."^[7] She has cited her mother as her style icon.^[8]

Meester grew up in Marco Island, Florida, where she participated in productions at a local playhouse.^[9] When she was 11 years old, Meester and her mother moved to New York City.^[9] Meester attended the Professional Children's School and also began working as a model with Wilhelmina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Weber and working with then photographer (now film maker) Sofia Coppola^[9][10] as well as many commercials including Tamagotchi toys and Clearasil. She has also posed for Limited Too campaigns alongside fellow future actress, Amanda Seyfried, in which Seyfried recalls, "Leighton was very confident."^[11] Meester made her television acting debut as a murder victim's friend on an episode of Law & Order.^[9][10] At 14, Meester moved to Los Angeles, California, wanting more stable work, and attended Hollywood High School and Beverly Hills High School.^[10][12] She then transferred to a small private school and graduated a year early.^[13]

Career[link]

Acting[link]

Meester at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of Killer Movie

After her television debut in 1999 playing Alyssa Turner in Law & Order, Meester appeared as a guest in two more series before landing her big role in the movie Hangman's Curse, based on the best-selling book by Frank Peretti. She appeared in Tarzan, which ran for only eight episodes. Meester then started to land guest roles in other series such as Crossing Jordan, 8 Simple Rules, 7th Heaven, Veronica Mars, 24, and Entourage.^[9]

In 2005, Meester began a regular role in the series Surface as Savannah Bennet. Meester appeared in two more 2006 movies, Flourish and Inside. She also guest appeared in Numb3rs and in two episodes of House M.D. as Ali, a young girl who has a crush on House.^[9] She had guest roles on CSI: Miami and Shark, and played the female lead in the horror film Drive-Thru.

In 2007, Meester was cast in the CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl as Blair Waldorf.^[9] The show is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar about the lives of New York's privileged Upper East Side young adults. Her performance is the most critically acclaimed of the show, with Blair being cited as the series' breakout character, and also garnering much media recognition due to her wardrobe.^[14][15] She dated Gossip Girl co-star Sebastian Stan.^[16]

Meester appeared on the television film The Haunting of Sorority Row, and played a part in the ensemble comedy/drama Remember the Daze. She also appeared in the horror/thriller film Killer Movie in 2008.

Meester starred in three films in 2010 with small roles in the comedies Date Night and Going The Distance^[17] and a bigger role in Screen Gems' country drama Country Strong starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Garrett Hedlund. The Boston Globe found the best thing in the film was Meester because "she’s just doing Reese Witherspoon’s June Carter Cash in Walk the Line with dabs of Miley Cyrus and Kellie Pickler. But it’s not an impersonation; it’s a performance with its own comedy and sweetness."^[18] USA Today was also positive towards her performance writing "Meester shows she can do more than play one of Gossip Girl’s privileged Manhattan socialite."^[19]

In 2011, she played the role of Rebecca, an obsessive bipolar girl in the thriller The Roommate.^[20] Though the film mainly received negative reviews, Meester's portrayal was praised by critics. Entertainment Weekly found she was the only one to bring "the slightest trace of something fascinating to her role"^[21] while Los Angeles Times wrote "her performance often has the feeling of a sports car in neutral. When she punches it for quick changes of tone from manic to wounded or around the bend, she shows how much more she is capable of."^[22] Meester's second film of the year was the young femme comedy Monte Carlo, loosely based on Jules Bass's young-adult book Headhunters, in which she plays Selena Gomez's sister and Katie Cassidy's friend.^[23] Movieline noted that "As in Country Strong, Meester's crack timing and irresistible poignancy illuminate a part that would leave other actresses simpering themselves off the screen."^[24] Her last film of 2011 was the indie dramatic comedy The Oranges opposite Hugh Laurie, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

She will next star in the comedy That's My Boy, alongside Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Milo Ventimiglia, which is set to release in June 2012.^[25][26] She is also attached to The Uncatchable Cowgirl Bandits of Nottingham, Texas alongside Amber Heard.^[27]

Music[link]

Meester performing in June 2011

In April 2009, Meester signed a recording contract with Universal Republic.^[28] Meester's first official single, "Somebody to Love", featuring R&B singer Robin Thicke, was released for airplay on October 13, 2009, and became available for digital download on October 14, 2009.^[29] In November 2009, Meester revealed that Lil Wayne had worked with her on one of her songs titled "Make It Rain", which hasn't been released.^[30] Her second single, "Your Love's a Drug", was digitally released on March 30, 2010.^[31]

Meester is featured on Cobra Starship's song "Good Girls Go Bad", which reached the Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #7, and on Stephen Jerzak's song "She Said".^[32][33] She recorded a cover of the song "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for the compilation album A Very Special Christmas 7.^[34] For her 2010 country drama film Country Strong, she recorded a cover of the song "Words I Couldn't Say" by Rascal Flatts as well as "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans featured on the film's soundtrack; a promotional single titled "Summer Girl"; and a duet with Garrett Hedlund titled "Give In To Me".^[35]

In October 2010, Meester said she had been working with a band called Check in the Dark and had been writing for the last six months being inspired by Country Strong, "I've just been having fun and writing from my heart". She revealed her influences, "I love Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, that style of music, and as far as songwriting I think that's where my heart is."^[36] On April 22, 2012, Meester announced via Twitter a five-city tour with Check in the Dark, which will start on May 29 and end on June 4.^[37][38][39]

Endorsements[link]

Meester has fronted many charity as well as advertising campaigns. In 2008, she was a spokesperson for Sunsilk's "Life Can't Wait" campaign^[40] to motivate women to pursue their dreams and collaborated with Safe Horizon to raise awareness about and prevent domestic violence.^[41] Early in 2009, Meester partnered with Reebok to model their new Top Down sneakers.^[42] Outside of Gossip Girl, Meester has worked with co-star Ed Westwick in a Nikon Coolpix series camera advertisement and both were faces for a Korean clothing line called ASK Enquired.^[43] In 2010, Meester signed on to be the spokesperson for Herbal Essences hair products.^[44] In the same year, Meester took part in Bulgari's humanitarian efforts for the Save the Children organization with Isabella Rossellini and Maribel Verdútaken.^[45] Vera Wang has also chosen Meester to be the face of her newest scent Lovestruck, breaking in summer of 2011, stating that the actress's "beauty, talent and spirit will inspire all the young women that I hope will enjoy this passionate, new young fragrance."^[46] In 2011, Italian fashion house Missoni revealed they have tapped Meester to be part of their Spring/Summer 2011 campaign.^[47] She fronts another South Korean brand, this time a beauty campaign, called eSpoir.^[48] Leighton is additionally the new face of Vera Wang's scent "Lovestruck" which was first sold in Harrods on June 9, 2011. In May 2012, she became an endorser for Philippine clothing brand Penshoppe's campaign "All Stars".^[49]

In the media[link]

Meester was listed several times in Maxim's Hot 100, starting #48 in 2008,^[50] #12 in 2009,^[51] #17 in 2010^[52] and #16 in 2011.^[53] BuddyTV ranked her #32 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2010 list.^[54] She was ranked #75 by AskMen.com readers in the list "Top 99 Women of 2010" and #53 in 2011.^[55] Men's Health ranked her #30 in its "Hottest Women in 2011" list.^[56] Glamour ranked her #5 among the Most Glamorous Celebrities of 2011.^[57]

Personal life[link]

From 2008 to 2010, Meester dated actor Sebastian Stan.^[58] In July 2011, Meester and her mother filed lawsuits against each other regarding Meester's financial support of her younger brother, who has multiple health problems.^[59] Meester's suit claims the money she sent was misused by her mother; her mother's suit makes a cross-claim alleging breach of contract and physical abuse.^[59] In November 2011, Constance Meester dropped the $3 million claim for damages against her daughter. As a result, Leighton obtained a default judgement on December 7, 2011.^[60] Leighton is also said to be seeking custody of her 17-year-old brother Alexander, who has suffered health problems, including recently undergoing brain surgery.^[61] Meester is currently dating Remember the Daze co-star Aaron Himelstein, after meeting and briefly dating in 2007. ^[62]

Filmography[link]

Meester at the 2009 CW Upfront presentation.

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

Featured singles[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]