(From left) Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Angelica Panganiban, Judy Ann Santos. Image: Instagram/@niko.gonzales, Instagram/@niceprintphoto, Instagram/@jerichorosalesofficial, Instagram/@officialjuday
While the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 was an unforgettable evening of gratitude, one of the highlights was bringing together the biggest stars, showbiz veterans and some of the most popular couples under one roof.
Saturday’s star-studded event included executives from former network rival GMA, and Senators Grace Poe, Lito Lapid, Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva on the guest list.
But many of the oohs and aahs came from those who were surprised to see the return of ‘Hunks’ members Jericho Rosales, Piolo Pascual and Diether Ocampowho sat together at one table.
The all-male group was formed in the 2000s and also included Carlos Agassi and Bernard Palanca. They have since parted ways, with the five actors pursuing their own careers.
“Big, big hugs from the three of us. Let me find the other two and get back to you. We were ‘the Hunks’. Google mo,” Rosales wrote on Instagram.
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Another notable moment saw Judy Ann Santos and Angelica Panganiban, dubbed the “teleserye queens of the industry,” enjoying their twinning moment in one of the photo booths.
(From left) Angelica Panganiban, Judy Ann Santos. Image: Instagram/@officialjuday
In Ang sa Iyo Ay Akin, Jodi Sta. Maria and Iza Calzadomeanwhile, were far removed from their characters’ bitter rivalry as they were seen laughing while drinking wine.
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Couples
The ABS-CBN Ball also featured real-life couples Coco Martin and Julia Montes, as well as Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto, as it was their first red carpet event since confirming their relationship.
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Meanwhile, Catriona Gray and Sam Milby, and Maja Salvador and Rambo Nuñez also made their first appearance together as an engaged and married couple, respectively.
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Other couples who appeared at the event included Santos and her husband Ryan Agoncillo, Rosales and his wife Kim Jones, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon, Charlie Dizon and Carlo Aquino, Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano, JC de Vera and non-showbiz wife Rikkah Cruz, Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo, to name a few.
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Also invited to the event were lovers Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, Maris Racal and Rico Blanco, and Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan.
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Meanwhile, the network’s popular love teams like Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada, and Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin were also in attendance.
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Special awards
This year’s ball also awarded the Stars of the Night, Power Couple of the Ball and Star Magic Fan Favorite, which were determined through fan votes.
Mariano was named the Female Star of the Night, while Diaz and Andrea Brillantes finished in second and third place respectively. Pangilinan took home the Male Star of the Night award, with Kyle Echarri and Seth Fedelin joining the ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ star.
The “DonBelle” love team was also hailed as the Power Couple of the Ball with an overwhelming score of 67.46%.
On the other hand, Anji Salvacion secured the Star Magic Fan Favorite of the event.
Kathryn Bernardo and Joshua Garcia, meanwhile, were named the best-dressed celebrities of this year’s edition. EDV
