Valentine’s at ABS-CBN Ball 2023: Controversial, viral couples walk red carpet together

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN held its first ball after the COVID-19 pandemic tonight in Makati Shangri-La Hotel, one of the venues of the media network’s past soirees, including Star Magic Ball.

The stars mixed and matched local and international designers and brands in their ensembles. Black, white and gold were among the favorites in red carpet looks, complementing this year’s black-tie dress code. 

In keeping with the ball’s theme, “Forever Grateful,” many expressed their gratitude for still having projects and being able to walk the red carpet again despite challenges such as the pandemic and the ABS-CBN shutdown. 

Majority of the stars who walked the red carpet were ABS-CBN artists, and among them was Dolly de Leon, the first Filipino actor to be nominated for the Golden Globe Awards and the BAFTAs, coming from the success of her Star Cinema blockbuster hit “A Very Good Girl” with Kathryn Bernardo.

THE MOMENT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla serve looks at the #ABSCBNBallRedCarpet2023. ???? #ABSCBNBall2023

LIVE: https://t.co/DZx8FweIv9 pic.twitter.com/p0vg94bAdB

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 30, 2023

Besides Dolly, many couples, such as the engaged Sam Milby and Catriona Gray, as well as trending pairs Darren Espanto and Cassy Legaspo, and KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad, made their ABS-CBN Ball red carpet debut alongside controversial ones such as Vice Ganda and Ion Perez, Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto, Maris Racal and Rico Blanco, and Chie Filomeno and Jake Cuenca.

“we did it, after 5 years babe!” loook ????????????????????

UnkabogaBALL Date With ViceIon#ABSCBNBall2023#ViceGanda | #IonPerez | #ViceIon pic.twitter.com/cuow0etP5Z

— ?? nads (@benignostuy) September 30, 2023

Here are more of them who lent a piece of Valentine’s at the ball that was held close to Christmas season: