(From left) Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Angelica Panganiban, Judy Ann Santos. Image: Instagram/@niko.gonzales, Instagram/@niceprintphoto, Instagram/@jerichorosalesofficial, Instagram/@officialjuday
While the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 was an unforgettable night of gratitude, one of the highlights was seeing the biggest stars, showbiz veterans, and some of the most popular couples coming together under one roof.
Saturday’s star-studded event included executives from former network rival GMA, and Senators Grace Poe, Lito Lapid, Sonny Angara, and Joel Villanueva as part of the guest list.
But many of the oohs and aahs came from those who were surprised to see the return of “Hunks” members Jericho Rosales, Piolo Pascual, and Diether Ocampo, who were seated together in one table.
The all-male group was formed in the 2000s, which also included Carlos Agassi and Bernard Palanca. They have since parted ways, with the five actors pursuing their own careers.
“Big, big hugs from us three. Let me find the other two and get back to you. We WERE “The Hunks.” Google mo,” Rosales wrote on Instagram.
Another noteworthy moment was Judy Ann Santos and Angelica Panganiban, dubbed as the industry’s “teleserye queens,” enjoying their twinning moment in one of the photo booths.
(From left) Angelica Panganiban, Judy Ann Santos. Image: Instagram/@officialjuday
“Ang sa Iyo Ay Akin” stars Jodi Sta. Maria and Iza Calzado, meanwhile, were a far cry from the bitter rivalry of their characters as they were spotted laughing while drinking wine.
Couples
The ABS-CBN Ball was also an event for real-life couples Coco Martin and Julia Montes, as well as Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto, since it was their first red carpet event since confirming their relationship.
Meanwhile, Catriona Gray and Sam Milby, and Maja Salvador and Rambo Nuñez also made their first appearance together as an engaged and married couple, respectively.
Other couples who showed up at the event were Santos and her husband Ryan Agoncillo, Rosales and his wife Kim Jones, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon, Charlie Dizon and Carlo Aquino, Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano, JC de Vera and non-showbiz wife Rikkah Cruz, Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo, to name a few.
Also invited at the event were sweethearts Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, Maris Racal and Rico Blanco, and Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, among others.
Meanwhile, the network’s popular love teams such as that of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada, and Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, were also in attendance.
Special awards
This year’s ball also awarded the Stars of the Night, Power Couple of the Ball, and Star Magic Fan Favorite which were determined through fan votes.
Mariano was named the Female Star of the Night, while Diaz and Andrea Brillantes landed in the second and third spots, respectively. Pangilinan bagged the Male Star of the Night award, where Kyle Echarri and Seth Fedelin came next to the “Can’t Buy Me Love” star.
The “DonBelle” love team was also hailed as the Power Couple of the Ball with an overwhelming score of 67.46%.
On the other hand, Anji Salvacion secured the event’s Star Magic Fan Favorite.
Kathryn Bernardo and Joshua Garcia, meanwhile, were named best dressed celebrities of this year’s edition. EDV