Celebs reconcile, new couples emerge

SHAINA Magdayao in a gown by Amir Sali

More than a parade of stars in glittering gowns and sharp  suits, the sixth ABS-CBN Star Magic Ball held Saturday night at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, turned out to be a stage for new celebrity couples, ex-lovers crossing paths and enemies patching things up.

In last year’s event, face met fist when Coco Martin and Matteo Guidicelli engaged in a brawl over Maja Salvador. On Saturday, Matteo found himself presenting the night’s Standout Star award to Coco.

Awkward it could have been, but to the delight of everyone gathered at the Rizal Ballroom, the actors exchanged not punches, but pleasantries. The crowd cheered as Coco and Matteo shook hands and patted each other on the back. Matteo even playfully kissed Coco’s hand.

BEA ALONZO in Rajo Laurel and Zanjoe Marudo in YSL

In an interview later, Matteo revealed that it was his first time to run into Coco after that memorable fistfight. “That was… fun,” Matteo said, laughing. “I got to be sweet to him!”

The next day, Coco said on “The Buzz,”: “At least everything’s okay now.”

The red carpet teemed with head-turning couples walking hand in hand: Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo, Melissa Ricks and Paul Jake Castillo, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford, Maricar Reyes and Richard Poon, Venus Raj and Andrei Felix.

ERICH Gonzales in Francis Libiran

Two in hiding

Screen partners Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Empress Schuck and Ejay Falcon, Tippy Dos Santos and Sam Concepcion, Ella Cruz and Paul Salas drew as much attention.

Kaye Abad and Guji Lorenzana, Tin Patrimonio and Jake Cuenca, and Divine Smith and Slater Young were together as “friendly” dates.

Not a few had hoped to see newest hot couple Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz walk the red carpet together. They decided to keep their entrance low-key, however, by arriving separately.

Lloydie was quickly whisked away from the press, while Angelica was very reserved during a brief interview, mouthing tepid and one-word responses.

ENCHONG Dee in Michael Cinco

As the night wore on, however, Lloydie and Angelica were spotted holding hands, putting to rest any speculations on whether or not they are dating.

“The Reunion” costars Bangs Garcia and Kean Cipriano, who are being romantically linked, said that they never really planned to turn up together. “It just happened,” said Kean, who gave his date a long-stemmed blue rose.

ANDREI Felix in Zara; Venus Raj in Kenneth Chua

Former couple John Prats and Bianca Manalo, who broke up more than three months ago, arrived at about the same time and stood a few feet away from each other on the red carpet.

Asked how he found Bianca’s shorter hairdo, John said, “It looks nice!”

Bianca had no qualms about chatting with her ex. “We had a great relationship,” she said, “and we’re both happy now.”

Single ladies

VINA Morales in Eric de los Santos

While most of the stars had partners in tow, some opted to go solo and spend time with friends at work. Melai Cantiveros, for one, partied with her “Banana Split” family.

For the likes of Shaina Magdayao, Julia Montes, Jessy Mendiola and Pokwang, no dates didn’t make the evening less enjoyable. Maja Salvador sums it up, amusedly: “Mas ramdam ko ang pagkaganda ko (I feel my loveliness heightened)!”

PIOLO Pascual in Costume National

Hosted by Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and John “Sweet” Lapus, this year’s black-and-white-theme ball celebrated the 20th anniversary of Star Magic (the network’s talent management arm) and paid tribute to its current head, Mariole Alberto.

Special awards handed out:

Prince and Princess of the Night—Julian Estrada, Julia Barretto

JULIA Montes in Pepsi Herrera

Sweetheart of the Night—Julia Montes

Breakout Style—Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo

Hot Mama—Carmina Villaroel

Hot Papa—Gerald Anderson

XIAN Lim also in Pepsi Herrera; Kim Chiu in Edwin Tan

Stars of the Night—Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee

Couple of the Night—Kim Chiu and Xian Lim

Standout Star—Coco Martin

Female Stunner—Bea Alonzo

Star Magic Icons—Diether Ocampo and Angelica Panganiban

PHOTOS BY ROMY HOMILLADA