ABS-CBN's Star Magic Ball: ’Twas indeed a starry, starry night

EVEN in formal affairs or awards night presentations, we rarely see our stars dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns. But the first-ever Star Magic Ball of ABS-CBN was an exemption and the stars all came dressed so properly and so elegantly. The ballroom of the Hotel InterContinental in Makati turned into a galaxy bursting with the brightest stars who came in full force to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the network’s premier Talent Management and development Center.

Take these names: Piolo Pascual,

Diether Ocampo, Kristine Hermosa, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Roxanne Guinoo, Jake Cuenca, Rayver Cruz, Shaina Magdayao, Zanjoe Marudo, Rica Peralejo, Carlos Agassi, Dominic Ochoa, Pokwang, John Prats, and the newly launched Star artists led by Jon Mullaly, Michael Manotoc and Giancarlo Sotto. They just looked so gorgeous in the fashion creations of local and foreign designers like Frederick Peralta, Ivarluski Aseron, Hugo Boss, Francis Libiran, Joey Samson, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Edwin Tan, Jun Escario, Bing Cristobal, JC Buendia, Louis Claparols, Pepsi Herrera, Lito Perez, Tonichi Nocom, Jonathan Pagaduan, LZ Punzalan, Claro Yongco, Donnie Delima, M. Barretto, Edward Teng, Brian Leyva, Victor Miller and Paul Cabral.

Of course, I have my personal favorites who really stood out from among the rest. Say Alonzo was glowing in LZ Punzalan, Michael Manotoc looked dashing in Zara, Kim Chiu was a real winner in her Frederick Peralta gown, Joem Bascon looked dashing in Hugo Boss, Diether Ocampo in Joey Samson was a sight to behold, Carlos Agassi, except for the hair, was splendid in his Frederick Peralta ensemble, Jon Mullaly was clearly unrivalled in Randy Ortiz, and Bea Alonzo was a picture of restrained glam in Rajo Laurel.

The bigwigs of the network canceled all their personal appointments to grace the affair: ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, Charo Santos-Concio, Freddie Garcia, Cory Vidanes, Malou Santos, Olivia Lamasan, Deo Endrinal, Enrico Santos, March Ventosa, August Benitez, Leo Katigbak, Paolo Pineda and Monchet Olives.

Other prominent guests included ABS-CBN Publishing’s Ernie Lopez with wife Jeena, Senator Mar Roxas who came with Korina Sanchez, Sander and Mons Tantoco, Philip Cu-Unjieng, Anne Curtis, Luis Manzano, Willie Revillame, Ben Chan who came with longtime partner Miguel Pastor, Dennis and Tessa Valdes, designers Frederick Peralta, Rajo Laurel and Patrice Ramos-Diaz, style consultant Luis Espiritu and Martin Nievera.
Sylvia Santamaria
Manila Times