After Manila’s bout with torrential rains and two typhoons, Chedeng and Dodong, comes the hottest event to hit Manila this year. The temperature soared as the Men of Provoq sizzled on stage at the “Cruise” show held at the NBC Tent on August 10, 2007. The members of the group did themed dance numbers some of which were: the Macho Dancers of the Philippines, the Yakuza of Japan, the Punks of England, Slaves of Ancient Egypt, and the Chippendales of the US.

On Friday the 13th last month, my friend rddantes informed me that the all-male group, Men of Provoq, is brewing something for the following month – and this was Cruise. I exclaimed to him that I wouldn’t miss the show for the world. Meeting the Men of Provoq in person has been a fantasy for me since they were introduced and will become a reality a month hence. As a matter of fact, I had to cancel my important engagement on the day of the show itself just to show my support to the group.

Fast forward to August 10, 2007. On the day of the show itself, my friend rddantes and I got there early. The show’s organizer Lex Bonife of VIVA told us that we may view the rehearsals if we get there hours before the show. We were there in the late afternoon and were able to take pics of some members of the group.

The show was a relative success. It was the first time they were going to feature their most-awaited member Harry Laurel as a replacement to the equally popular Raymond Lim and Dennis McIrvin (the two left the group a few months back). The show was a baptism of fire for Harry who is relatively new to the bump and grind scene. He looked a bit awkward in his moves, but altogether it added to his innocent charm.

Here are some pics of the men. I apologize for not having been able to take pictures during the show due to the prohibition early on in the program that cameras and camera-phones which are to be used during the show will be confiscated. However, there is good news to the guys who missed the show. Cruise: The Provocative Tour was recorded for video release by VIVA Entertainment and the VCD’s and DVD’s will be on the store shelves pretty soon. The groups’ fans who are out of the Philippines are not supposed to fret either. Lex Bonife told me that they are planning on going on tour next year in Asia, Australia and the United States. News on the international runs of the show will be featured in this blog as soon as the I get the go signal from Lex.

Some Pics From The Show

Men of Provoq

Harry Chua and Johnron Tanada

Harry Chua and Johnron Tanada

Harry Chua and Johnron Tanada

John Miller

Chester Nolledo

Johnron Tanada