From DonBelle to KathNiel, these couples brought unmatched elegance, glamour, and romance to the ABS-CBN Ball red carpet!

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The ABS-CBN Ball 2023 for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Foundation was a night of magic as it celebrated stories of gratitude and togetherness. The theme was “Forever Grateful,” in honor of the ball’s grand return after three years and the shutdown that changed the trajectory of the media giant’s service. It also paved the way for new movements in media such as collaborations and partnerships, as shown in the arrival of GMA executives on the red carpet and the pairing of BFFs Darren Espanto and Cassy Legaspi. In a show of gratefulness and community, the Ball signified new beginnings in more ways than one.

Among the roster of stars, executives, and industry leaders that walked the red carpet, these young stars proved the power and popularity of this new generation of professionals making names for themselves in the industry both as individuals and as pairs. Successful in their own right, each couple—whether partners, loveteams, friends, or all of the above—went above and beyond to embody the night’s splendor in a variety of styles and bedazzlements.

DONBELLE (DONNY PANGILINAN & BELLE MARIANO)

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Power Couple of the Night and People’s Choice: Stars of the Night awardees Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano were picture-perfect at the ABS-CBN Ball, totally embodying the glittering magic of the night. Donny wore an all-black embroidered Louis Vuitton suit while Belle was a vision in a gold sparkling gown by Michael Leyva.

DARREN ESPANTO & CASSY LEGASPI

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Singer-songwriter Darren Espanto and actress Cassy Legaspi made wishes come true as they arrived together at the ABS-CBN Ball. The pair served classic black tie elegance in black and white Francis Libiran and Bvlgari jewelry.

KODREA (KOBIE BROWN & ANDI ABAYA)

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Former Pinoy Big Brother contestants Kobie Brown and Andrea “Andi” Abaya, affectionately called KoDrea, walked the carpet in a bespoke, bejeweled Ehrran Montoya suit and a silver Russel May gown, respectively.

FRANSETH (FRANCINE DIAZ & SETH FEDELIN)

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The young superstar couple of Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin stunned on the red carpet as Francine paired a bedazzled gold gown by Val Taguba with long wavy hair and wispy bangs and Seth donned a suit with his now-signature sunglasses.

VIBRENT (VIVOREE & BRENT MANALO)

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Vivoree Esclito and Brent Manalo made bold choices with their contrasting outfits. Vivoree wore a custom sheer, sequined, and feathered Lauren Vito gown with LVNA by Drake Dustin jewelry, while Brent donned a structured white Joey Samson suit with Tiffany and Co. jewelry.

LOINIE (LOISA ANDALIO & RONNIE ALONTE)

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Actors and performers Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, or LoiNie, served couple realness. Loisa wore a fitted gown with a corset-like top and hip cut-outs designed by Bonita Penaranda, while Ronnie paired a Dior tux with a velvet bowtie, cummerbund, and white Balenciaga sunglasses.

KDLEX (KD ESTRADA & ALEXA ILACAD)

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Young stars KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad mixed classic and modern as KD wore a Traje de Boda by Shirley Arambulo-Lustado suit while Alexa wore a fitted, chandelier-like lime green halter gown by Mak Tumang.

MARIS RACAL & RICO BLANCO

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The people’s spirit queen Maris Racal took glam to whole ‘nother level as her gold sequined gown was flanked by giant blue sleeves and and a matching blue overskirt. Her partner Rico Blanco looked sharp in a J.E. & Company tuxedo suit.

KATHNIEL (KATHRYN BERNARDO & DANIEL PADILLA)

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The ever-iconic KathNiel graced the red carpet with pure elegance, as usual. Kathryn Bernardo wore a daring and modern bejeweled Mark Bumgarner gown with a trendy wavy bob with bangs while Daniel Padilla donned an elaborate black kimono over a classic suit with a vest.

Continue Reading: 5 Stunning Dresses That Didn’t Make It to the Star Magic Prom 2023 Red Carpet

Nothing is what it seems in Northford High. Check out what to expect in the upcoming teen drama Senior High!

Trigger Warning: The following article and subject matter include mentions of bullying, abuse, and suicide.

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When the first teaser trailer for upcoming teleserye Senior High dropped earlier this year, the response was interesting, to say the least. But that first look wasn’t all that the show was going to be as the series, produced by ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Entertainment, dropped its first trailer over the weekend, and it’s filled with teen drama, industry big-names, and a whole heaping of intrigue.

In the dog-eat-dog world of high school, tensions and emotions run high. But who could have thought anyone would be embroiled in a death of a student under mysterious circumstances? Lead star Andrea Brillantes as Sky embarks on a mission to find out the truth about her twin sister’s apparent suicide, but it seems like secrecy and power run through the halls of Northford High, and that won’t be an easy task.

Interested yet? If the trailer set to SB19’s Bazinga didn’t convince you to check it out, below are more reasons to stay tuned to this new show!

ANDREA BRILLANTES SLAYS, AS PER USUAL

Andrea Brillantes plays two roles in the series: twins Sky and Luna, who go to school at the prestigious Northford High, where cliques and hierarchies run rampant, and a tragic event will change the students’ lives. Luna has big dreams, but is unfortunately being taken advantage of by the clique of popular rich kids led by Z (Daniella Stranner). Brave and headstrong Sky is new to the school and will do anything to find out what really happened to her sister.

The young actress committed herself to the role. In a blogger conference for the series, Andrea shared that she did extensive research to fully characterize Sky and Luna. Being very specific with characterizing each role, from their humor to the way they walked, allowed her to portray them distinctly. She is able to do so much with each twin, and we can’t wait to see her show-stopping performance.

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VETERAN ACTORS WITH THE NEW GENERATION

Acting alongside Andrea Brillantes is a stellar Gen Z cast comprised of Kyle Echarri, Xyriel Manabat, Juan Karlos Labajo, Elijah Canlas, Zaijan Jaranilla, Daniela Stranner, Miggy Jimenez, Tommy Alejandrino, and Gela Atayde in her first acting role where she also co-stars alongside her mother, Sylvia Sanchez. Dubbed the “future of Philippine entertainment,” the young cast is set to portray a wide variety of characters alongside “the industry’s finest”—a set of established veteran actors: Angel Aquino, Baron Geisler, Mon Confiado and so many more.

Senior High boasts a star-studded ensemble with the acting chops needed for such a project. Seeing Andrea go toe-to-toe with Angel Aquino in the trailer with bursts of emotion was a great moment that immediately established each of their perspectives and their relationship. Angel herself also praised the young actors. “Alam kong magagaling sila,” she says in the conference.

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CLASSIC HIGH SCHOOL SHENANIGANS—WITH A TWIST

The first teaser for the series showed a bunch of kids partying and doing things they probably shouldn’t be doing in a Euphoria-esque haze, but it kept many things about the narrative hidden until the full trailer.

Sure, the series delves into the usual—partying, romances, and secrets—as well as prevalent problems like fitting in at a new school, the popular rich kids taking advantage of the smart kid, parental pushback against dreams and aspirations, and so much more. The twist about Luna and her death, as well as Sky’s desperation to get to the bottom of things, adds a whole new dimension to the series.

THRILLING DRAMA—AND SERIOUS ISSUES

Luna’s apparent suicide doesn’t appease Sky nor Sylvia Sanchez’s character, the security guard who saw something go down before the incident. And with all the rumors about the popular clique mistreating Luna, something is definitely up. Andrea also revealed that each character in the series has their own storyline, so it will be interesting to find out what really goes on in the lives of the young students of Northford High.

With Luna’s mysterious death, the series shows that it’s not just your run-of-the-mill teen drama. Similar to the likes of Elite, Riverdale (Season 1, at least), and One of Us is Lying, Senior High will delve into a mystery and possible murder where the characters work together to get to the bottom of things, facing danger and action along the way.

With such intense subject matter, it’s important to deal with serious issues sensitively. Fortunately, Andrea and Elijah Canlas shared that such relevant and important topics like bullying, suicide, and abuse will be talked about and dealt with in proper ways.

LOOK: Juan Karlos Labajo, Kyle Echarri, Andrea Brillantes and Elijah Canlas will topbill the upcoming series 'Senior High'.

According to them, the show will tackle relevant and pressing issues of the youth today like bullying, depression, anxiety and more.

Andrea:… pic.twitter.com/SNs77s1BwH

— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) August 21, 2023

As Filipino entertainment diversifies the stories they tell and the way they tell it, it’s exciting to bear witness to all the new that comes next. Senior High will air on the Kapamilya Channel this August 28.

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