A ball for the best and the brightest

MANILA, Philippines – Another successful Star Magic Ball happened last Sept. 1 at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City. As expected, the stars from the talent management arm of ABS-CBN attended the grandest, annual showbiz gathering. The press also had a day with the arrival of much-talked-about stars as they walked the red carpet in their elegant black and white gowns and suits.

The sixth Star Magic Ball, hosted by Piolo Pascual, John “Sweet” Lapus and John Lloyd Cruz, was also covered for the first time by George Young from E! News Asia. The program started with a song number by The X Factor Philippines finalist, girl group AKA JAM, followed by the cotillion featuring the upcoming talents of Star Magic. Yeng Constantino, Vina Morales, Bugoy Drilon, Richard Poon, Liezel Garcia, Nyoy Volante, Jovit Baldivino and Angeline Quinto did a medley of the song You with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. Jed Madela, Khalil Ramos, Sam Milby and Martin Nievera also entertained the crowd with their special numbers. With Star Magic celebrating its 20th year of producing top-notch artists, a special video was also shown during the event documenting how the talent management arm discovers and grooms future stars and the milestones it has created in local TV and film history.

It was an unexpected treat to see other celebrities like Rowell and Randy Santiago, Vhong Navarro, Kean Cipriano, Andi Eigenmann, Denise Laurel, John Prats, James Blanco, Bianca Manalo, Venus Raj, Nikki Gil, Billy Crawford, Carmina Villarroel, Iza Calzado, Gabby Concepcion, Janice de Belen and Dawn Zulueta, who all added glitter to the already star-studded evening. The night was also a reunion of former Star Magic talents like Paula Peralejo, Guila Alvarez, Sarji Ruiz, Lindsay Custodio, Regine Tolentino, Andrea del Rosario, Maricel Morales, Dianne dela Fuente, Mark Solis and Patrick Garcia.

Also in attendance were Moet and Chandon executives Randy Uson, Olga Azarcon, and Richard Alarcon; O+ executives Michael Tan, Aveline Sy and Felyn Ong; Regal Films’ Mother Lily Monteverde; Summit Media’s Liza Gokongwei, Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Tracy Go; MTRCB chairman Grace Poe-Llamanzares; fashion designers Francis Libiran, Pepsi Herrera, Edwin Tan, Dong Omaga Diaz, Rhett Eala, Amir Sali, Eric delos Santos, Jun Escario, Nat Manilag, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Avel Bacudio, John Herrera, Cherry Veric, Lev Rodriguez, Rajo Laurel and Paul Cabral; stylist Eric Pe Benito; VIPs Lawrence Tan, lawyer Joji Alonso, Arsi Baltazar and Girlie Rodis; TV directors Lauren Dyogi, Ruel Bayani, Don Cuaresma, Rechie del Carmen, Jojo Saguin, Malou Sevilla and Erick Salud; Star Cinema executives Tess Fuentes and Roxy Liquigan; ABS-CBN Publishing’s Ernie Lopez; ABS-CBN executives August Benitez, Leo Katigbak, Edson Aguiflor,  Chit Guerrero, Chris Lopez, Raul Manzano, Phillip Cu-Unjieng, Deo Endrinal, Paolo Pineda, Carlo Katigbak, Ronald Arguelles, Mickey Muñoz, Bong Osorio, Ron Valdueza, former ABS-CBN president Freddie Garcia  and ABS-CBN TV head Cory Vidanes. 

The highlights of the ball were the 2012 Star Magic Catalogue launch and the presentation of the night’s special awardees. Below is the list of winners: 

Transformer Award: Director Jojo Saguin

It’s More Fab in Star Magic Award (award for Star Magic staff): Abby Niesta

TV Production Scene Stealer of the Night Award: PJ Edrinal

Hot Momma Award: Carmina Villarroel

Hot Papa Award: Gerald Anderson

Star Magic Breakout Style Award: Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla

O+ Star of the Night Award: Enchong Dee and Maja Salvador

Moet and Chandon’s Fab Pair: Maricar Reyes and Richard Poon

The Box-Office Queen: Malou Santos

SMB (Super Mom and Bossing) Award: Cory Vidanes

Star Magic’s Jaw Dropping Stunner: Bea Alonzo

Star Magic’s Standout Star: Coco Martin

Prince and Princess of the Night: Julian Estrada and Julia Barretto

Couple of the Night: Kim Chiu and Xian Lim

Sweetheart of the Night: Julia Montes

Star Magic Icons: Diether Ocampo and Angelica Panganiban

This year’s Star Magic ball was made possible with the help of PR man Keren Pascual and the support of Instamug, Baicapture photobooth, Moet and Chandon, O+ and the Robert Blancaflor Group. Moet and Chandon and O+ awarded cheques worth P100,000 each to Star Magic for A Cause Scholars.