After a two-year hiatus, the MEGA ball makes a meaningful comeback.
There’s a new era of Filipino excellence, which was made more prominent in the past few years filled with unprecedented challenges. This feat was at the core of the celebration during The Mega Ball: A New Era.
The Philippines’ best fashion magazine’s annual ball was back not only with its trademark modern flair and fun, but with a purpose. This year, the grand event—held on June 12, Philippine Independence Day—celebrated freedom in all its forms and the Filipino talents, who made a powerful impact on our culture. It was also a loud display of an important message: sustainability will always be in fashion.
With all the glammed up A-listers, free drinks, and catching up with friends and meeting new ones, here’s how the Philippines’ biggest fashion ball made its comeback!
Watch and Wait
This year’s venue the Grand Ballroom of the Mariott Hotel Manila, is ready for Philippine fashion’s biggest comeback. Glass candleholders, purple, red, and pink flowers, and gilded chargers adorn the set that scream glam.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
With the ball’s two-year hiatus, there’s much to catch up on. While waiting for the program to start, guests exchange plenty of stories and toasts at the cool set up by Nespresso and Don Papa Rum.
The Vignettes
Guests begin arriving at around 6 o’clock in the evening, dressed in this year’s theme, “glam rock.” Glitters, bright hues, leather, and rockstar attitude charged up the black velvet carpet.
Photographers Jan Mayo, Seven Barretto, and Jharwin Castañeda work their magic as the glammed up A-listers pose for a series of vignettes at the glam booths.
The Hosts
#MEGABall2022 hosts Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa introduce the Pinoy Pride Awardees and keep the night going.
Expectedly, these queens rock!
Dinner Is Served
The Manila Marriott Hotel satisfy the guests’ gustatory needs with their sumptuous dinner of Louisiana Fish Cake, Oven Roasted Mushroom Cream, Mix Organic Green Salad, US Certified Beef Rib-eye, and Apple Walnut with Vanilla Ice Cream. Dinnertime is also a moment for everyone to meet new people and chat with old friends
The Pinoy Pride Awardees
More than a venue for artistic exchange, the #MEGABall2022 is a meaningful affair made to celebrate Filipino excellence. This year, The Mega Ball: A New Era honor the following Pinoy Pride Awardees: Ballet Philippines, Fifth Solomon, Bioten, Pia Wurtzbach, Hidilyn Diaz, Bret Jackson and Paraisla, Miss Universe Philippines Organization, Filip + Inna, ArteFino, Heart Evangelista, and Gary Valenciano.
Ballet Philippines and G-Force
Dance virtuoso Martha Graham once said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul…” Tonight—though we expected nothing less—dance institute Ballet Philippines and dance group G-Force are a revelation. Different in genre but similar in their intention to express freedom, the two powerful groups regale and captivate the audience.
Mr. Pure Energy
Gary Valenciano’s monicker truly does embody him. One of our Pinoy Pride Awardees, Gary V sings different renditions of his all-time hits and energizes the crowd even more.
A Night of Drinks and Music
What’s a social gathering without music? To end the night—or to start it, for some—Dilaw, Paul Pablo, February Bank, and Curtis Smith entertain and amp up the crowd with their music. While partying the night away, guests are provided with afterparty drinks from Boozy (Arbor Mist Peach Moscato, Barefoot Merlot, Smirnoff Mule, Tamnavulin Sherry Cask), Dr. Wine, and Barcino.
And with that, the revelry ends. As everyone leaves the hotel, not only did they get to have fun in one of the biggest fashion events in the Philippines in years, but they also take with them a bigger hope for Filipino talents.
The MEGA Ball is sponsored by DITO Telecommunity, Jo Malone London, TUMI, Avignon Clinic, Nespresso, Victor Consunji Development Corp., OPPO, Y.O.U Beauty, H&M, Alberto Shoes, Bran&Reluao Associates, Instituto Español, ASUS, and Don Papa Rum.
