The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
Once more, the ABS-CBN Ball has unleashed its glitzy and glamorous parade of multigenerational stars in their stunning outfits made exclusively for them by their equally talented fashion designers.
Held at the Solaire Resort North over the weekend, the 2025 annual ABS-CBN Ball was teeming with a shimmering glow not just of the fashion stars wore but the elegance and relevance they projected for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
Award-winning actress Chanda Romero came in her pretty Kat Perez-Rubio gown in spring motif and Raffy Francisco’s exquisite hair and facial style. Chanda was very thrilled about her maiden appearance in the soiree.
What is laudable in the party was the collaboration among ABS-CBN stars and GMA Network artists. Top executives of the former rival networks, ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Cory Valenzuela-Vidanes, and ABS-CBN Chairman Martin Lopez and GMA Network headed by Senior Vice President Annette Gozon Valdez, First Vice President for Sparkle GMA Artist Center Joy Marcelo, Sparkle Senior Manager Tracy Garcia were also around to witness and lend moral support to their respective talents.
Romero, a longtime GMA Network contract artist, was elated at the sight of the beautiful people of the Kapamilya Network. “My first ABS CBN Ball! Never seen so many beautiful stars in one room. Nasilaw ako (I was dazzled),” Chanda shared on her Facebook wall.
She said that the affair was a gathering of sorts for all her friends, old and new. “Ang saya (It’s fun) to see old friends and meet new ones,” Romero quipped.
She thanked “Batang Quiapo” for which she is now part of, CCM Film Productions of Coco Martin ang Dreamscape, a content creator of ABS-CBN.
GMA Network stars Ashley Ortega, Mavy Lesgapi, Nikki Valdez (who was a Kapamilya star), among others were present in the ball.
Respected film and TV thespian Rio Locsin, currently a Kapuso Network prized possession, was gorgeous in her flowery pastel gown meticulously made for her by iconic fashion czar Albert Figueras.
While some attended the ball in solo like Malou de Guzman, Maris Racal, Nadine Lustre in Rajo Laurel, Kathryn Bernardo in Anthony Ramirez garb, among others, Janine Gutierrez came in her Mark Bumgarner gown and was conspicuously alone sans partner Jericho Rosales.
Charo Santos-Concio treaded the red carpet with Piolo Pascual in tow.
Julia Montes in Vania Romoff with escort Coco Martin was stunning.
Julia Barretto in her Helsa Studio never left home without boyfriend Gerald Anderson.
Iza Calzado was indeed inspired as she was escorted by husband Ben Wintle so with Megastar Sharon Cuneta in Jot Losa wrapping her arms around Francis Pangilinan.
Showbiz and politics are no strange bedfellows when Heart Evangelista graced the occasion with Chiz Escudero.
Meanwhile, Kim Chiu in Francis Libiran, came in with Paulo Avelino.
Here are other fabulous stars in their fantabulous signature designer’s dresses although beaming with pride sans consort were: Anne Curtis in Nicole + Felicia, Lovi Poe in Marc Rancy, Jane de Leon in Jaz Cerezo, Andrea Brillantes in Neric Beltran, Barbie Imperial in Mak Tumang, Elisse Joson in Julianne Syjuco, MayMay Entrata in Michael Cinco and Kailan Estrada in FGranvis Libiran.