MANILA, Philippines — The Kapamilya stars, showbiz couples and loveteams heated up the red carpet of the ABS-CBN Ball held Saturday night at the Makati Shangri-La.
Strutting their stuff in head-turning gowns and ensembles, the guests (some came in solo, others in pairs) flexed their fierce looks and stunning styles at the grandiose event with the theme “Forever Grateful.”
The gala aimed to “extend ABS-CBN’s endless appreciation and thankfulness to its staunch supporters, steadfast stalwarts, and unselfish partners and collaborators who have been instrumental in the continuous success of the media company despite the hard-hitting challenges it has gone through in previous years.” It also aimed to raise funds anew for the ABS-CBN Foundation, the beneficiary of the comeback ball of ABS-CBN this year.
ABS-CBN executives like head of digital Eugenio Lopez IV and ABS-CBN TV production head Laurenti Dyogi were present on the occasion with ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, and ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak.
GMA network chairman and CEO, lawyer Felipe Gozon, attended the ball with his daughter, lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, who is the Kapuso station’s senior vice president.
Except for Anne Curtis, It’s Showtime hosts Vice Ganda with Ion Perez, Karylle, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Ryan Bang, Amy Perez, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid (with wife Regine Velasquez), MC Muah Calaquian and Lassy Marquez likewise graced the event.
The Batang Quiapo star Coco Martin (with girlfriend Julia Montes) and the series’ cast members Ivana Alawi, Susan Africa, John Estrada, Lovi Poe, and Lorna Tolentino took part in the program as well.
Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly de Leon of A Very Good Girl also made an appearance at the red carpet. Kathryn’s boyfriend Daniel Padilla walked after her.
The celebrity couples who came were: Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson, Rico Blanco and Maris Racal, Iza Calzado and husband Ben Wintle, Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones, Catriona Gray and Sam Milby, Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing, Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, and Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon.
Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo, Rambo Nuñez and Maja Salvador, Javi Benitez and Sue Ramirez, Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano, Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon, and Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo posed for the camera and walked the red carpet.
Loveteams Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz, Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada, and Kobie Brown and Andi Abaya were also in attendance.
Politicians such as Sen. Sonny Angara with wife Tootsy, Sen. Joel Villanueva with wife Gladys, and Sen. Grace Poe with husband Neil Llamanzares also showed up.
Joining the list of the star-studded event were The Iron Heart stars Richard Gutierrez and Jake Cuenca. Also spotted were Paulo Avelino, John Arcilla, Andrea Brillantes, Melai Cantiveros, Jane de Leon, Darren Espanto with date Cassy Legaspi, Pops Fernandez, Chie Filomeno, Baron Geisler, Ruffa Gutierrez, Janine Gutierrez, Jolina Magdangal, Diether Ocampo, Snooky Serna, Maricel Soriano, Jodi Sta. Maria, P-pop girl group BINI, P-pop boy group BGYO, and the list goes on.
Edward Barber, Bianca Gonzalez and Gretchen Fullido served as the hosts for the evening.
He’s Into Her onscreen partners Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano were named Stars of the Night and Power Couple of the Ball; Joshua Garcia and Kathryn bagged the Metro Best Dressed awards; and Eian Rances and Anji Salvacion were People’s Choice for Fan Favorites.
The STAR got the chance to interview some of the celebrities and asked them about the people — role models and mentors — who have particularly helped them in their respective showbiz careers since the theme of the ball is Forever Grateful. Here are their messages of gratitude to them:
John Arcilla: “No. 1 for me that I will never forget is Lauren Dyogi. When something (happened) before na after my first Best Actor award, some people thought and some producers and some people in the industry thought that suddenly I was actually asking for parang double, triple talent fee. There were tidbits na parang mahal na daw ako, per sequence daw ako (fee).
“Lauren Dyogi was the first na kumuha sa akin because he wanted to prove them wrong. And then after one project he told me, ‘Sabi ko na nga ba what I heard was wrong.’ After that, he got me into all of his projects and everything followed…
“Lauren took that chance. And that was really good because Lauren mula pagkabata, when I was performing at CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) during those times, nag-u-usher naman siya at CCP and he watched my shows. He said, ‘I cannot imagine that John will be this person na parang hindi yun ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya.’ Lauren Dyogi is my living hero.”
BGYO members: “(We would like to thank) ABS-CBN management, Star Hunt, Star Magic Music, BGYO management, families, friends, each other, and of course, the Lord and ACEs (fans).
“We are very thankful to them because they really helped us with everything, not only in our career. Wala kami ngayon kung hindi dahil sa kanila so thank you so much.”
Rico Blanco: “I always thank my loved ones and my fans. But I think tonight, I wanna give a shout out to each person in my entire career na naging kabanda ko in the past, in the present (and) until now. Because I don’t say it enough but I really owe a lot sa lahat ng naging kabanda ko through the years.”
Robi Domingo: “I want to thank my parents, especially my mom who pushed me to audition for PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) when I didn’t want to. Kasi sabi ko nakita ko audition ni Mikee Lee before and I wasn’t convinced to be a housemate because I’m scared with all the cameras and tapos tinitingnan buhay mo.
“But she told me to trust the process. (I said) ‘Sige.’ And I auditioned and emerged as the second big placer. And then dire-diretso na. So totoo pala yung sinasabi nila and I will tell people this, ‘Mothers know best.’”
Maymay Entrata: “Aside from the Lord, who is always there and who gives me confidence, I’m always grateful to Him for surrounding me with people who support me, including my family and of course, my boyfriend.”
Barbie Imperial: “I think for me, No.1 is direk Lauren because I came from PBB. He was the one who discovered me ever since and hindi niya ako pinabayaan.”
Tony Labrusca: “I would say the same thing. You know my career had a lot of ups and lows, but right now, they gave me a chance to portray Lucas in Nag-Aapoy na Damdamin. Thanks to the management and Star Magic also. I’m happy that they are always there for us (and) taking care of us.”
Belle Mariano: “My family and my team, of course. I’d like to thank them because we won’t be able to achieve this look without them.”
Donny Pangilinan: “Besides each other (Belle), (I am grateful for my) family. I thank my parents, who are here right now. First time I saw them walking also in an ABS-CBN Ball so I wouldn’t be here without them and I owe everything to them. (Also) my team, they are the VIP and MVP.”
Markus Paterson: “Everyone (including) my parents. I wanna thank (my) son Jude, (ex-partner) Janella (Salvador), all the most important people in my life. It’s very small and I have a tight knight circle and family but yeah basically them.”
Maris Racal: “I’m very thankful for the whole Star Magic family and ABS-CBN for giving me opportunities. (I’m) very truly grateful and humbled for that. But I wouldn’t be here if not for my mom. Because she forced me to join PBB. And wala ako dito ngayon kung hindi niya ako pinilit that day. And every time I reach a milestone or may ma-achieve ako, I always remember my mom.”
Dimples Romana: “I think you know what, si (direk) Lauren naman alam naman niyang nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya. For me, I’d like to say that would be Kuya Alan Real, my handler. He has been my handler (and) my manager for 27 years. Ever Since I started with Star Magic, that was, of course, Kuya Alan with me.”
Erik Santos: “I wanna thank, of course, my parents for raising me well. I think they raised me well. I also want to thank the one who discovered me, Boy Abunda, because he was one of the first people who believed in me. And of course, ABS-CBN. I’ve been with them for 20 years and isa din sila sa mga unang naniwala and nagtiwala sa akin. So I will be forever grateful to them.”