These moments put the giving in GMA Thanksgiving Ball.
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The stars were shining extra bright on the night of July 23, and it wasn’t because of a clear night sky. For the second year in a row, GMA held their Gala that served as both their thanksgiving celebration for their successes and an opportunity for the biggest and brightest Kapuso stars to get glammed up, get together, and party. And it all made for a moment that radiated modern elegance. From A-list stars to new faces, everyone was there.
But while viewers were tuned in to the livestream of the red carpet, it didn’t show all that went down during the Gala. Beyond the glitz and glam was a packed night that had moments you needed to see to believe. Here are a few moments, interactions, and highlights we spotted at the GMA Gala.
THE SET-UP
thinking how the bisexuals will survive this pic.twitter.com/L7pQRQ60tU
— vico blanco (@vicentejian) July 22, 2023
If you caught the livestream, what you saw was the red carpet and interview station of GMA. But beyond the cameras was an entire hallway brimming with activity. The entire second floor of the Marriot Grand Ballroom was reserved for the GMA Ball with every room and space serving a purpose. How it would work was that the stars first had to line up for their turn to walk the carpet.
Then once they get off the carpet, they had to pass through a litany of booths, such as the GMA interview booth, Sparkle booth, media booths, and more. Also down the line were booths from sponsors of the evening, so you can imagine how hectic it was with stars waiting their turn and crisscrossing between each space before they entered the ballroom.
MORE THAN JUST KAPUSO
Yung gusto nilang mag #MiniMsUDanceChallenge pero formal awra muna sa #GMAGala2023 😝#ShowtimeOnGMAGala2023 pic.twitter.com/MpMBdksUwK
— It's Showtime (@itsShowtimeNa) July 22, 2023
It was to be expected that the GMA Gala would gather GMA’s stars under one roof. But what stood out during the Gala was how many non-GMA and Sparkle artists were in attendance. In particular, as further proof of the breaking down of barriers between networks, some of ABS-CBN’s biggest names, such as Joshua Garcia, Anne Curtis (who was channeling Audrey Hepburn in her white Saint Laurent dress), and Vice Ganda, attended the Gala. ABS executives Cory Vidanes and Carlo Katigbak also attended the event. And if that wasn’t enough, a who’s who of our fave content creators also showed up, including Roce Ordonez, Sassa Gurl, Andrea So, Pipay, Zeinab Harake, and Toni Fowler.
THE INTERACTIONS
Left or right? 🤔#GMAGala2023 pic.twitter.com/p9zlBK3RrS
— Isabel Bulatao (@isabelbulatao) July 22, 2023
With all those stars in one place, the Gala served as an opportunity for these famous faces to reunite and catch up with their friends and colleagues. From Joshua Garcia and David Licauco sharing a chat to Paul Salas and Mikee Quintos congratulating Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque on their engagement, the night was packed with moments and interactions we never thought that we would see. Everywhere you looked there was a celebrity chatting with other stars and having fun like it was just a regular old party.
BARBIE FORTEZA SERVES MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY
Before the Gala, fans speculated as to who Barbie Forteza would be walking the carpet with, either Jak Roberto, her real-life partner, or David Licauco, her current on-screen love team. But in the end, Barbie decided to embody the independent spirit of Klay and decided to walk the carpet by herself. Jak was first up to grace the carpet, followed by David, and ended with Barbie radiating main character energy as the last of the trio to walk in a stunning mint green Ehrran Montoya gown. And as to why she decided to walk alone, she told reporters on the carpet that she can. Period queen.
DARREN AND CASSY
It’s a known fact by now that Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto have a green flag relationship. And the 2023 GMA Gala further proved that. While Cassy walked the red carpet alone, she ended the night with Darren, who arrived by the time the red carpet was over. Mind you, that night, Darren was at Belle Mariano’s concert at the New Frontier Theater where he performed with the Gen Z star. So, after his performance, he changed and made it all the way from QC to Pasay for the ball to be with Cassy. That’s goals right there.
A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE VOLTES V THEME SONG
Voltes V No Uta
— Everything Julie Anne San Jose (@EverythingJAPS) July 22, 2023
GALActicNight WithJULIE
GALAmorousNight WithJULIEVER#JulieAnneSanJose#GMAGala2023
IGs: jascurtissmith pic.twitter.com/KwspKfhLta
While the actual Gala itself was not streamed live, there was a program that included, among other things, performances. And one of the highlights of the evening was a rare live performance of the new Voltes V theme song from Julie Anne San Jose. Even outside the venue halls, Julie Anne was slaying with her powerful voice.
UNSEEN LOOKS
Because there is no such thing as being too extra at a Ball, some stars prepared multiple outfits for the event, some of which didn’t make it to the red carpet. Before the event, Barbie Forteza showed off on social media another gown she could have worn to the Gala, a silver chrysalis gown by Ehrran Montoya that looked beyond stunning. And even if she was in California to represent Voltes V: Legacy at San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Ysabel Ortega made sure to serve by showing off the classic and chic black YSL gown she would have worn to the Gala.
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