Over 300 Star Magic artists made time to attend the biggest and most glamorous annual celebrity gathering of Star Magic artists dubbed as Star Magic Ball 2016.The premiere talent management arm’s up-and-coming, first-timers, celebrated and senior stars, along with the ABS-CBN executives including Chief Content Officer Charo Santos, President Carlo Katigbak, Chairman Gabby Lopez and Head of Finance for Broadcast and News & Current Affairs Cat Lopez.
Kapamilya actors John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual
Several VIPs were also in attendance such as Sen. Sonny Angara with wife Tootsie, Sen. Grace Poe and Davao del Norte Anton Lagdameo with wife Dawn Zulueta.
Some special non-Star Magic artists were also present namely international racer Marlon Stockinger, hosts Luis Manzano, who came as Jessy Mendiola’s date and Billy Crawford, who came as Coleen Garcia’s date, and Karla Estrada a.k.a. Queen Mother. Sexy actresses Arci Muñoz and Ellen Adarna also made it to the event along with King and Queen of RnB Kyla and Jay-R and Morissette Amon.
Concert King Martin Nievera hosted the annual celebration.
With the aim to assist the displaced and affected by Super Typhoon Lawin, a special part of the program had the VIPs, celebrities and other guests pledging donations. It was also announced that proceeds of the ball would go to the typhoon victims.
As with other Star Magic Ball 2016, this year commemorated two important people for Star Magic and ABS-CBN as a whole—ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez and ABS-CBN executive Freddie M. Garcia. A montage of greetings for the two bosses from different members of the company was shown to the Star Magic Ball guests.
Young singers CJ Navato, Kristel Fulgar, Bailey May, Ylona Garcia, Darren Espanto, and Alexa Ilacad performed a Carole King medley as a surprise tribute to the person whom people fondly call as EL3.
While seasoned performers Martin, Richard Poon, KZ and new Kapamilya Jona performed a Tony Bennett medley to serenade one of Star Magic’s pillars, the one most people call FMG.
Star Magic’s main man Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan recalled how FMG and EL3 helped build Star Magic.
The prestigious star-studded event had the traditional cotillion segment, which was participated in by the budding Star Magic artists and love teams while Jason Dy sang “I Won’t Give Up.”
The cotillion included Tommy Esguerra and Miho Nishida, Sofia Andres and Diego Loyzaga, McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, Sue Ramirez and Ronnie Alonte, Grae Fernandez and Kira Balinger, Nash Aguas and Alexa Ilacad.
Jersey Boys stars Nyoy Volante, Markki Stroem, Bibo Reyes and Rhenwyn Gabalonzo brought a part of their successful show to the ball as a medley.
The prime and bankable Star Magic artists were invited during the latter part of the show, led by Piolo Pascual, to offer a toast for the two Kapamilya executives.
Among the stars in the special toast were John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Xian Lim, Kim Chiu, Sam Milby, Gerald Anderson, Bea Alonzo, Maja Salvador, Zanjoe Marudo, Jodi Sta. Maria and the prime love teams of DanRich ( Daniel Matsunaga and Erich Gonzales,) LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil) and KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla).
But the most awaited part of the night, as with previous years, was the handing over of the special awards.
This year, Elisse Joson brought home the Ponds Beautiful Belle of the Night award, John Lloyd Cruz took home the Metro and H&M Style Award.
Meanwhile the Male and Female Stars of the Night were Charo Santos and Gabby Lopez while Liza Soberano and Zanjoe Marudo were hailed as Star Magic Ball 2016’s Best Dressed stars. The Couple of the Night award was given to Sofia Andres and Diego Loyzaga.
Finally, Magpahanggang Wakas actor Jericho Rosales received the prestigious Star Magic Icon award for his enduring career in the business and under the talent management agency.