October 8 - 21 , 2017 Jan . 22-Feb . 7 , 2015 Philippine Showbiz Today 13
October 8 - 21 , 2017 Jan . 22-Feb . 7 , 2015 Philippine Showbiz Today 13
Cover Story
Millennials seize the spotlight at Star Magic Ball hile ABS-CBN ’ s top
Wactors and actresses rightfully got their oohs and aahs as they walked the red carpet on Saturday night , the 2017 Star Magic Ball was really an occasion for the Kapamilya network ’ s millennial celebs .
More specifically , it was a glamorous event that made the stellar wattage of those young artists shine the brightest .
The photos and videos of love teams ElNella ( Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador ), JoshLia ( Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto ), MayWard ( Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber ), McLisse ( McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson ), KissMarc ( Kisses Delavin and Marco Gallo ), LizQuen ( Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil ) and , of course , KathNiel ( Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla ) generated the highest number of likes and shares on various social media platforms .
Their presence on the red carpet of Makati Shangri-La ’ s Rizal Ballroom also made the event more interesting for those who witnessed it via live streaming or on television .
“ PBB Lucky Season 7 ” runner-up Kisses , who wore a white ruffled Francis Libiran ball gown , became a scene-stealer when she won the coveted best dressed female award . Marc , in a Nat Manilag tuxedo , bagged the best dressed male award .
The fact that some of these boys came up with the most romantic “ prom-posals ” several days before the actual party likewise drew a lot of interest .
“ It felt like a dream . It was indescribable ! I ’ m very lucky that Josh is a romantic . Chivalry isn ’ t dead , after all ,” declared Julia , who looked regal in a white backless piece by Mark Bumgarner that made her win the Ponds Belle of the Ball award .
Joshua , in an all-black suit by Joey Espiritu , said it took him a week of planning before pulling off the surprise that featured a choir singing Ed Sheeran ’ s “ Perfect ” while carrying red cards that said , “ Will U Be My Date ?”
“ We all saw how surprised she was ,” said Elmo , who donned
a Francis Libiran suit on the red carpet . Janella , meanwhile , looked stunning in an asymmetrical white dress by Mark Bumgarner . “ I coordinated with the production team . I told everyone to be quiet . The orchestra was perfect as I sang her favorite , ( Frank Sinatra ’ s ) ‘ The Way You Look Tonight .’ I wanted it to be different for her . Last year was a pizza ‘ prom-posal .’”
Elisse , in a beaded seethrough Michael Leyva number , said she wasn ’ t expecting a formal invitation from McCoy , being that this was already their second year to attend the ball together .
“ I had a lot of help from McLisse supporters ,” said McCoy of the event that had over a hundred red balloons falling down from the ceiling of SM Megamall ’ s Fashion
Hall . “ I want Elisse to know that I got her back .”
Kathryn , in a deep V-neck embroidered ecru dress by Patricia Santos , got the Ponds Brightest Star of the Night award .
Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano were declared the Perfect Selfie Couple of the Night award from Oppo . Magnum Icon awards were given to Star Magic bosses , Malou Santos and Johnny Manahan .
ABS-CBN imposed major changes in the coverage of the party this year . Live streaming was featured in network-affiliated websites and YouTube channels .
On the red carpet , photographers were grouped according to their news organizations — those not connected with ABS-CBN were tagged “ external photographers .”
The celebrities were instructed to make three stops on the red carpet for photo ops . For press interviews , they were also made to go to two different venues to speak with reporters , who were divided into three groups — internal , external and digital .
Of the 300-plus Kapamilya talents and guests who attended the party , only less than a hundred went to see the “ external ” press . The celebs who drew the most reactions from our group were rumored couple Gerald Anderson , in a black-and-white suit by Joey Espiritu , and Bea Alonzo , in a backless , form-fitting white gown by Monique Lhuillier .
Asked to react to comments that his pairing with Bea at the party was one of the most anticipated , Gerald said : “ It ’ s good . I honestly forgot that the ball was this weekend . But , for her and the other girls , this is a big deal . I promise to be the best date for her .”
Bea , who earlier admitted to have dated Gerald in 2010 , added : “ We ’ re more relaxed now , and less worried . Back then , being seen together was forbidden . Now , everything feels so right .”
A leaner-looking Billy Crawford and his gorgeous fiancée Coleen Garcia , in a Popo Go black-andsilver tube dress that highlighted her uber-small waistline , spoke to reporters about preparations for their beach wedding in 2018 .
“ I ’ m excited ,” said the bride , “ the next gown I will be putting on after this is a wedding gown . Luckily , I ’ ve had no bridezilla moment just yet .”
Angelica Panganiban chose to go solo again this year . She skillfully evaded questions related to her controversial ex-beau John Lloyd Cruz by giving either cryptic or silly answers to reporters . To a question on which look she was aiming for that night , she said : “ The look of nowhere !”
SMB regulars Piolo Pascual , Enchong Dee , Shaina Magdayao , Arci Muñoz , Joseph Marco , Matteo Guidicelli , Jericho Rosales , Jodi Sta . Maria , Vina Morales , JC de Vera and Erich Gonzales were also dateless that night . Also spotted were lovely veterans like Alice Dixson and Zsa Zsa Padilla .
There were also Kapamilya talents who arrived with their kids as partners , including Aiko Melendez with son Andre , Ogie Alcasid with daughter Leila , Jolina Magdangal with Pele , and Denise Laurel with Alejandro . ●
- M . R . Cruz , Inq .