Rachelle siazon, deputy managing editor
The comeback of the ABS-CBN Ball—its last edition was September 2019—is truly a moment to applaud.
In the last years, the broadcast giant has had to work its way up again, past the major changes forced on it by the Duterte Congress that junked the company's application for franchise renewal in July 2020.
ABS-CBN had to let go of a huge chunk of its seasoned employees and halt the operations of many of its departments, including the cancellation of its powerful public affairs programs and much-followed subsidiaries.
In showbiz, the loss of a franchise prompted a number of major Kapamilya stars to seek opportunities in other TV networks or even to shift careers.
A stout-hearted ABS-CBN remained undeterred, eventually positioning itself as a content creator.
Finding its new normal as a media company, the network changed the TV landscape as it brokered partnerships with different TV networks and streaming companies as venues for ABS-CBN to continue airing quality programs.
That ABS-CBN bounced back from such a heartbreaking and unjust assault was definitely a feat, and the ABS-CBN Ball was a dramatic way to say so to the world.
With our sincerest wishes, long live ABS-CBN!
I once again enjoyed covering the ABS-CBN Ball, if via a streaming app, to catch not just the well-executed glam looks of the ladies and gents, but also who to catch who came with whom.
These are celebrities we've long rooted for, after all!
For me, among the unforgettable red-carpet highlights: Coco Martin and Julia Montes, holding hands while walking (they're now obviously comfortable flaunting their sweet moments); Jodi Sta. Maria, stunning in her sleek white backless gown (no need for an escort to stand out at this ball); and Kyle Echarri, every inch dashing and debonaire in his suit and nakakagwapo na specs (wow, he's all grown-up now!).
A-lister Piolo Pascual was missed at the red carpet, after apparently opting for a low profile in this edition of the Kapamilya ball.
But it didn't escape eagle-eyed witnesses when Piolo walked with Shaina Magdayao arm in arm outside the ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
This caused netizens to ask—is there truth to recurring rumors that the two are an item or are they really just long-time close friends?
I also eagerly waited to see if there would be Kapuso and Kapatid celebrities gracing the event. Indeed, yes!
E.A.T. host Ryan Agoncillo came with wife Judy Ann Santos; freelancer Maja Salvador was escorted by husband Rambo Nuñez; and Kapuso actress Cassy Legaspi was the date of Darren Espanto.
Freelancer Miles Ocampo and TV5 newscaster Kaladkaren were also present at the ball.
That GMA-7 top executives Felipe Gozon and Annette Gozon-Valdes showed up at the red carpet proved very game. Especially because ABS-CBN top executives Carlo Katigbak, Cory Vidanes, and Deo Endrinal showed up at the red carpet of the GMA Ball.
I, as a viewer, would have loved to see more Kapuso and Kapatid stars mixing it up in light of ABS-CBN's ongoing collabs with both GMA-7 and TV5.
I still remember the excitement when It's Showtime hosts and big ABS-CBN stars Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, and Jhong Hilario graced the GMA Gala only three months ago!
Read: 'It's Showtime' hosts mingle with 'Eat Bulaga!' hosts, executives at GMA Gala 2023
Were other GMA and TV5 stars invited to the ABS-CBN Ball, but were simply not available? I do not know, I have not checked.
Still, it made sense to me that the red carpet should shine the spotlight on ABS-CBN stars rather than the celebrity guests from other networks.
Anyway, the crossover of stars is already happening in TV shows like It's Showtime (a Kapamilya show which airs on GTV, a station owned by GMA) and Unbreak My Heart (a collab between ABS-CBN, GMA-7, and VIU Philippines).
BERNIE, deputy editor, non celebrity section
If Piolo Pascual walked the red carpet at the ABS-CBN Ball, he would have stolen the spotlight for sure!
But the 46-year-old seasoned actor preferred to share the obligatory formal look through his social media accounts, like Instagram, where he looked dapper in his Francis Libiran outfit.
Komento ng isang netizen, “Ito yung best dressed!” “Bat ang pogi mo walang kupas!” another one commented.
The actor has appeared many times on the red carpet in past editions of the ABS-CBN Ball, formerly known as the Star Magic Ball. He really has nothing more to prove. Tila ipinaubaya na ni Piolo ang red-carpet spotlight sa iba, lalo na sa mga bata.
Aminin natin, for many stars the highlight of a grand event like a ball was to showcase their entire look—suit or gown, grooming and make-up, and overall personal style. At makikita mong nag-effort si Piolo—tingnan na lang ang kaguwapuhan niya at ang pagka-youthful. Easily, he would've been the scene stealer of the night!
Kudos also go to his contemporary, the equally handsome and truly talented Jericho Rosales, who opted to walk the red carpet with wife Kim Jones.
We noticed that many real-life couples chose to walk solo on the red carpet that night, and we believe it is to give each other their moment. Jericho and Kim could have done the same thing. Certainly they've made names for themselves separately—Jericho in the acting business and Kim in the fashion industry.
Read: Couples serve up doses of sweetness at ABS-CBN Ball 2023
Can their being together on the red carpet also be read as them addressing rumormongers spreading word that the couple had recently split? A red-carpet appearance, where the handsome couple held hands, can be their subtle way of saying: Hey, we're very much together and please get your facts right.
Read: Jericho Rosales, napamulagat sa tsismis na hiwalay na sila ng asawang si Kim Jones
Nakakatawa rin ang Instagram post ni Jericho from that night. He posted a photo of him, Piolo, and Diether Ocampo.
His playful caption: “To our 15 monthly listeners on Spotify. Big, big hugs from us three. Let me find the other two and get back to you. We WERE ‘The Hunks’. Google mo.”
The other two are, of course, Carlos Agassi and Bernard Palanca. All five starred in the ABS-CBN sitcom, "The Hunks," more than two decades ago.
Tanggap na tanggap ni Jericho na “tito” levels na sila, kaya ang birong 15 lang ang followers nila sa Spotify. Marami sa mga nag-comment, kabilang na ang mga kapwa arista, ay nagbirong bata pa lang sila'y napapanood na nila sina Piolo, Jericho and the rest. Ngunit, obviously, sa dami ng nagkomento, hindi maaaring 15 lang ang followers ng mga hunks!
Piolo and Jericho, actors who made themselves better and better until they became among our best, will always be relevant.
FK, LIFESTYLE WRITER
It takes a certain level of security to cast the spotlight on others. Piolo Pascual seems to bevone such star.
From what I observe, many up-and-coming Kapamilya stars don't take long before they score promising projects that eventually drive them to fame and fortune. But I imagine that the support from seasoned stars—who graciously refrain from overshadowing them on the red carpet—must be much appreciated.
Of course, I might be giving too much credit to Piolo and others showing the same humility. Perhaps the reality is that they simply seek some privacy to savor the eventful night away from incessant press attention. Who can say for sure?
But 20 minutes into the ABS-CBN Ball live stream, what struck me was how most stars were each given a moment at the red carpet.
"Thank God!" I blurted out to myself.
I don't know if it's because mainstream media has been questioning the value of love teams, or if it's because celebrities are finally realizing they can shine without their partner on their arm—but stars welcoming the spotlight on themselves is definitely a good thing.
This game change began at the GMA Gala 2023 when an A-lister like Marian Rivera walked the red carpet solo before her husband and also an A-lister, Dingdong Dantes, joined her. The same story went for Barbie Forteza, one half of JakBie, who strutted her stuff alone before reuniting with Jak Roberto at a later point at the ball. And let's not forget Heart Evangelista, whose husband, Chiz Escudero, gave the limelight all to her for the most part of the photo-op.
Read: Power couples, picture-perfect pairs at GMA Gala 2023
At the recently held ABS-CBN Ball 2023, again more stars in love teams smartly opted to make separate entrances.
Take Kathryn Bernardo, who went ahead of her partner, Daniel Padilla, stealing the show with her fierce look, and Francine Diaz, who rocked the red carpet solo before linking up with Seth Fedelin, who is the other half of their sensational "FranSeth."
It's clear that people are getting bolder about going stag at big events. Andrea Brillantes put it straight: "Gusto ko magka-moment ako na ayoko nang i-share sa mga lalaki."
Read: Andrea Brillantes wears the most expensive jewelry in ABS-CBN Ball history
The irrepresible Kim Chiu, finding out that her on-and-off-screen partner Xian Lim was off to India for a prior commitment, simply remarked: "Sige, go lang, kaya ko na ito!"
I cannot stress enough how refreshing it is to finally see these stars celebrating their singularity, as opposed to being stuck in a package deal even if that is what hardcore fans go gaga over.