Who was with whom at the Star Magic Ball?

Photos by Arnold Almacen

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil

Jessy Mendiola may be among those who wore the simplest of gowns at the 2016 Star Magic Ball on Saturday night, but she believes she had the best accessory—her escort and rumored boyfriend Luis Manzano.

Jessy, named “Sexiest Woman in the Philippines” this year by a men’s magazine, wore a spaghetti-strapped black ball gown by John Rufo, paired with a red clutch. This was complemented by Luis’ red bow tie and the most romantic pronouncement.

“We’re happy about everything that’s going on between us right now,” she said. “There’s a reason we’re together here. I’m sure everyone has an idea of how happy we are—you see it in our smiles.”

Bea Alonzo strutted the red carpet in a glittery black dress that had cuts and slits in all the right places. Walking right beside her was Gerald Anderson in a black-and-white suit by Joey Espiritu.

Gerald was quite forthcoming when asked about the real score between him and his “How to be Yours” costar: “We’re dating! What we have is something special. We want to enjoy each other’s company tonight.”

Teen star Janella Salvador attended her second Star Magic Ball in a Jo Rubio beaded white creation, this time, with Elmo Magalona, who had called it quits with girlfriend Janine Gutierrez.

Elmo refused to talk about the split, saying that “the Ball is not the right venue for it.” He denied courting Janella and said he was “happy that she agreed to come with me—it’s my first time to attend.”

There were quite a number of first-timers who partied at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, among them Ritz Azul, Karla Estrada and Maxene Magalona.

Sam Milby also brought his new girl, fashion model Mari Jasmine, to her first Star Magic Ball this year. Iñigo Pascual had rumored girlfriend Kelley Day for his date.

Jessy Mendiola (left) and Luis Manzano

Iñigo’s dad, Piolo Pascual, was dateless that night. He said he preferred to go solo, because “it’s more relaxed that way. I plan to reconnect with as many people as possible.”

Jake Cuenca, Rayver Cruz, Matteo Guidicelli, Joseph Marco, Ejay Falcon, Enchong Dee, Ian Veneracion and Zanjoe Marudo also walked the red carpet all by their lonesome.

Zanjoe said he had hoped to ask Angel Locsin, his “The Third Party” costar, to be his date, but the latter had just been out of the hospital. Angel has had a series of surgeries for a disc bulge in her spine.

Among the ladies who attended without any dates were Jodi Sta. Maria, Nikki Valdez, Maja Salvador, Arci Muñoz, Shaina Magdayao, Alex Gonzaga, Ellen Adarna, Yen Santos, Gretchen Ho and Angelica Panganiban.

Angelica’s ex-beau John Lloyd Cruz arrived, escorting ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio. The two were costars in the award-winning Lav Diaz movie, “Ang Babaeng Humayo.”

The presence of ball staples Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, and Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil generated the most buzz on social media, as expected.

Zanjoe Marudo

Onscreen partners Ylona Garcia and Bailey May, Miho Nishida and Tommy Esguerra, Diego Loyzaga and Sophia Andres, and Sue Ramirez and Ronnie Alonte also gave the event its much-needed romantic excitement.

Real-life couples like Maricar Reyes and Richard Poon, Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta, Dawn Zulueta and Anton Lagdameo, Yeng Constantino and Yan Asuncion, Kim Jones and Jericho Rosales, Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia, Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga, and Pokwang
and Lee O’Brien were also in attendance.

The best dressed award went to Zanjoe Marudo, in a black suit by Lanvin, and Liza Soberano, in a creation by Dubai-based Michael Cinco.

Charo Santos-Concio and ABS-CBN chairperson Gabby Lopez were declared Stars of the Night. Elisse Joson bagged the Pond’s Beautiful Belle of the Night.