Fistfight between hunks follows Star Magic Ball

KIM Chiu, in this dreamy Francis Libiran ball gown, is proclaimed Star Magic Drop Dead Stunner.

Kapamilya stars Coco Martin and Matteo Guidicelli figured in a brawl Saturday night, shortly after the Star Magic Ball at the Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom. They were prevailed upon to “cool down” before a face-to-face could be set, Martin’s talent manager Biboy Arboleda said on Sunday.

Arboleda said he and Guidicelli’s manager Joji Dingcong, with the help of Star Magic (ABS-CBN talent management arm), are fixing the problem.

The two hunks exchanged blows at the Pen’s Salon de Ning, during a post-ball party which Arboleda said he hosted. “I was only 3 feet away when it happened,” he recounted. “I ran to pacify them.”

A TV report said Guidicelli was with his girlfriend, actress Maja Salvador, when he ran into Martin. The Fil-Italian actor has long been rumored to be jealous of Martin. An online account quoted an unnamed witness who said Guidicelli started the fight.

ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio in Lanvin

Salvador admitted on “The Buzz” that Guidicelli was her boyfriend and she was the reason for the fight, but said she was unsure about the relationship after what happened.

HEART Evangelista in Inno Sotto (Uh, what was she doing on the other side of the fence?)

Star Magic downplayed the incident. PR officer Thess Gubi said in a text message: “What happened was a simple misunderstanding. Coco and Matteo are sorry it happened. Everything has been resolved.”

Celebrities, garbed in designer suits and gowns, posed for photographers on the red carpet before proceeding to the Rigodon Ballroom. Guidicelli was among the first to arrive, with Jolo Revilla and Xian Lim. Salvador came unescorted and Martin opted not to walk the red carpet.

VINA Morales in Jun Escario

Among the head-turners were real-life couples Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Sotto, John Estrada and Priscilla Meirielles, KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao, Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo, Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford, Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco, as well as on-screen partners Erich Gonzalez and Enchong Dee, Melissa Ricks and Matt Evans, Jodi Sta. Maria and Rafael Rosell.

The program started at 9 p.m. and was hosted by Martin Nievera, comedians Pokwang and Chocoleit. Erik Santos, latest newest addition to the Star Magic stable, sang a medley with Vina Morales but performed “I Believe I Can Fly” solo.

BEA Alonzo, in Jun Escario, and Zanjoe Marudo, in Jil Sander, are given the title Fab Pair.

Special awards were handed out. Kim Chiu was declared Star Magic Drop Dead Stunner; Cristine Reyes was Standout Star; Pascual and Concepcion were Choice Fashionistas; Marudo and Alonzo, the Fab Pair; Dee and Gonzalez, Favorite Couple of the Night.

Newcomers Jessy Mediola and Enrique Gil were awarded the Breakout Style trophy, Maricar Reyes and Diether Ocampo brought home the Choice Stylista awards. John Lloyd Cruz, recipient of the Star Magic Icon award, dedicated his trophy to Star Magic exec Johnny Manahan who, he said, was the “true icon.”

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