Showbiz Manila

One of most glamorous nights in the entertainment industry happened Sunday as ABS-CBN’s biggest stars descended on Makati Shangri-La Hotel for the 3rd Star Magic ball.

Wearing their most glamorous black and champagne ensembles, hundreds of Kapamilya stars graced the event as they marked the 17th anniversary of Star Magic.

Star Magic (formerly ABS-CBN Talent Center) is ABS-CBN’s home-based training and management program.

ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio and Star Magic executive Johnny Manahan spearheaded the celebration.

Spotted in the ball were on-screen partners KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual; Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson; Melissa Ricks and Matt Evans; John Prats and Shaina Magdayao; and Erich Gonzales and Zian Lim.

Former couple Anne Curtis and Sam Milby arrived in the venue together.

Real-life sweethearts Zanjoe Marudo and Mariel Rodriguez; Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay; and Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford were also present during Sunday’s party.

Former sweethearts Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa came to the annual ball with their respective dates. Hermosa went with Oyo Boy Sotto while Ocampo’s date was girlfriend Rima Ostwani.

Star Magic pioneer Claudine Barretto, along with husband Raymart Santiago, was also present in the event.

Other Star Magic talents who attended the night of glitz and glamour were Laani Lozada, Bugoy Drilon, Joem Bascon, Meryll Soriano, Roxane Guinoo, Megan and Lauren Young, Thou Reyes, Jake Cuenca, Vina Morales, Jodi Sta. Maria, Jon Avila, Kitkat, Rica Peralejo, and Luis Manzano.

Non-Star Magic talents were also invited to the event. Ruffa Gutierrez, who was escorted by her brother Raymond, Pops Fernandez, Gretchen Barretto, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, Chokoleit, Lily Monteverde, Cathy Garcia-Molina, Jericho Rosales, John Estrada and sweetheart Priscilla Meirelles graced the occasion.

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of prizes.

The 2009 Star Magic ball classic chic pair went to sweethearts Crawford and Gil. Maja Salvador and on-screen partner Rayver Cruz, meantime, were named the best dressed couple.

For the individual awards, meantime, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, and Curtis bagged the most stylish, most elegant, and most glamorous prizes, respectively.

Pascual and Concepcion took home the Moet and Chandon Sparkling couple of the night award. They shared the prize with Chiu and Anderson.

The Coke’s choice of most classic chic couple went to Rodriguez and Marudo, while singer Yeng Constantino bagged the most fashion-forward award.

The night was filled with laughter and music with the performances by Martin Nievera, Rhap Salazar and Jed Madella.

Source: ABS-CBN – Tuesday, September 1