(From left) Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan, Andrea Brillantes. Images: Instagram/@belle_mariano, BJ Pascual via Instagram/@blythe
Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan and Andrea Brillantes, along with some of the country’s brightest stars, paid tribute to Filipino folklore and pop culture at the Shake, Rattle and Ball: The Alamat Exhibition Gala, the theme of eventologist Tim Yap’s annual Halloween gala.
The event, held at the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila last Monday, Oct. 30, was a celebration of what the Philippines has to offer as celebrities showed up in their spookiest and most glamorous interpretations of local culture.
Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan took a cue from Filipino superheroes Darna and Captain Barbell, respectively, as they appeared to be “saving the universe” from evil.
The actress added a unique touch to her superhero costume with a bedazzled red corset and a sparkly gold headpiece, while Pangilinan showed his dedication to the theme in a shiny costume complete with a gold barbell.
Andrea Brillantes proved that she’s the Gen Z hallo-queen as she turned heads in her costume inspired by Amalia, a mythical being known as a half-engkanto and half-manananggal.
Taking a page from the “Ibong Adarna” playbook, Coleen Garcia-Crawford flaunted her slim physique in a scarlet gown with a feather-like ruffle skirt and intricate beadwork on the bodice. The costume was completed with gold accessories, sparkly makeup and the actress-host dying her dark locks red.
Meanwhile, Alodia Gosiengfiao showed off her siren-like features in a silver Mara Chua dress reminiscent of ocean waves. The mermaid-inspired look also included an earpiece shaped like a fish fin and a beaded hair piece.
Rhian Ramos expressed her love for the Filipino comic character Alexandra Trese in her sexy all-black blazer dress, knee-high heeled boots and a wig that resembled Trese’s signature bob.
Ramos was also accompanied by her partner Sam Verzosa and fashion designer Chris Nick Delos Reyes in their black ensembles and white mask in what is said to be an interpretation of the white lady in Balete Drive.
Jayda Avanzado, on the other hand, channeled her inner Latina in an all-red ruffled mini dress inspired by the popular Mexican telenovela Rosalina, which was portrayed by singer-actress Thalia. She also accessorized her ensemble with a red rose on her wavy locks and pearl accessories.
Of course, Yap made sure to show up in his spookiest Halloween costume, but this time, with a heartwarming approach meant to be a special tribute to Lilia Cuntapay, who was dubbed as the “Queen of Philippine Horror Movies.”
“Every now and then, she would message me to ask if we had any project we could work on. Well, after many years, Nana Lilia, I hope you’re seeing this from heaven seeing that your work is remembered and appreciated,” he wrote on Instagram.
Cuntapay took on a vast number of spooky characters throughout her career, including a “manananggal, aswang, white lady, living or deceased lola, random shock inducer, engkanto,” per Yap.