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

Related: 11 Celebs at the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 Who Deserve Star of the Night Just for Slaying Solo

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)

INSTAGRAM/DONNY

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

INSTAGRAM/DARRENESPANTO

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)

INSTAGRAM/ABSCBNPR

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

Long-time BFFs AC Bonifacio and Darren Espanto, along with other stars, recently went to Italy for ASAP Milan, and the duo showed everyone just how fun, vibey, and funny their friendship is!

Related: 6 Celebrity Friendships That Prove That There’s Nothing Wrong With Guys And Girls Being BFFs

Darren Espanto and AC Bonifcaio have been friends for almost a decade now, after first meeting in 2015. Both hailing from Canada, the two bonded over their shared roots and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. The multi-talented duo can sing, dance, and act! It’s giving triple threat.

After all of that, it’s true that they have chemistry—but not in the way you think! Because even if people do ship them together, the two have repeatedly firmly established that they are just great friends. Their energy together is always fun, fresh, and playful, and it’s always refreshing to see wholesome platonic friendships in an industry that always wants male and female stars to get together.

And that was on full display when they, along with a slew of Kapamilya stars, went to Milan for ASAP Milan had tons of fun. From orchestrating group TikToks with icons like Piolo Pascual and Regine Velasquez to pretending to be IG livesellers, best friends AC and Darren totally made the most of their trip to Italy! So, to show off this great friendship, we compiled a few moments to show you what these besties were up to in their European adventures.

LIVE SELLER ERA

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A post shared by Darren Espanto (@darrenespanto)

Darren and AC opened up Instagram Live for a few minutes on September 13 and pretended to sell products live in an outlet store in Milan, imitating live sellers that were surprisingly doing it for real in the same store. The two showed off shoes, hats, bags, and joked around the exact way friends goofing off do, complete with Darren showing off a pink gradient bag and comparing it to AC’s own currently red hair (he even called her “bes“)!

ENDLESS SELFIES

Instagram/acbonifacio

Instagram/darrenespanto

What’s a trip without countless selfies? AC showed off her .5 photo-taking skills in both of their Instagrams, showing everyone first their comfortable digs on the plane and then the ornate surroundings and skyline of Milan.

SANDY’S INFLUENCE IN THE AIR

@andreebonifacioo

one more time in the air

♬ walshy bae owns this sound – RECXRDDEAL

Even before the pair landed in Milan, Darren and AC were already having fun filming TikToks and taking photos on the plane. A clear favorite, they did the famous “Sandy Super Bass” TikTok trend again while in the air—their third time in three weeks!

STAR OF THE SHOW

Instagram/acbonifacio

Listen, when you look this good, sometimes you just need to crop your bestie out of the photo. Kidding aside, this cropping is such a bestie move and so representative of Darren and AC’s playful friendship.

‘FITTED UP BFFS

@andreebonifacioo

we forgot to film a bunch of times so enjoy!!! HAHAHAH

♬ original sound – EX7STENCE™

You can always count on young artists like Darren and AC to have absolutely fire drip. Their outfits in Milan, often matching and always set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy, were the epitome of casual chic, and the pair showed them off the with, what else, a TikTok.

VIBIN’

@andreebonifacioo

VIBES

♬ Wassup Gwayy – FamousSally & YB

In a dig at all those shippers, Darren and AC made a TikTok proving to everyone that guys and girls, especially in the showbiz industry, can just be friends. AC even shut down a commenter under the TikTok who said “No I want you guys to be [a] couple 😢” by responding “sana ok ka lang.” The pair have shared before that they really never had feelings for each other, and that they’re more like siblings—they know everything about each other, they’re always down for a fun TikTok or two, and they’re always there to support each other.

Continue Reading: 7 Wholesome KyleDrea Moments That Make Us Believe Girls And Guys Can Truly Be BFFs