The MEGA Ball has always been a celebration of Filipino culture and artistry, which is why it is held annually on Independence Day. In previous years, the event championed meaningful collaborations—spotlighting the intersection of Fashion and Art in 2023, and Fashion and Food in 2024. Now in its 15th year, the MEGA Ball turned the spotlight on the dynamic relationship between Fashion and Dance.
Just like the diversity of genres and steps in dance, this year’s celebration honored Filipino women who are movers and shakers in their respective fields—orchestrating meaningful impact, driving innovation, and choreographing transformation. These trailblazers continue to leave an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural and creative landscape.
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Welcome to the MEGA Ball World Stage
It was a night of fashion and movement to music, and what better way to demonstrate this than with a big dance floor in the middle of the Marquis Events Place ballroom, lit by thousands of lights bouncing off disco balls? The dance floor became a promise fulfilled on both days of MEGA Ball: fun, fashion, and a lot of dancing!
At the red carpetRed CarpetThe high-profile arrival area at premieres, award ceremonies, and galas, where celebrities pose in carefully chosen fashion for photographers. Red carpet looks generate headlines, define trends, and elevate designers, andGo to Red Carpet Glossary, guests struck a pose at several booth vignettes. For MEGA, different stations had been transformed into dreamlike dance studios and glamorous dressing rooms, designed by Tipping Point Collective and photographed by Bimpoman.
MEGA’s partners made sure attendees had memorable photo opportunities by setting up immersive experiences worthy of the spotlight. Dear Face, New Moon, and Luxe Beauty and Wellness hosted booths that highlighted the night’s blooming beauties. Attendees showed off their crowning glory at the GIF photo booth by Cream Silk, with motion mementos that were easily shared on social media. Awesam Smile Dental Clinic’s Dr. Sam Bernardo also graced the event, radiating confidence as soon as they stepped into the red carpetRed CarpetThe high-profile arrival area at premieres, award ceremonies, and galas, where celebrities pose in carefully chosen fashion for photographers. Red carpet looks generate headlines, define trends, and elevate designers, andGo to Red Carpet Glossary. Meanwhile, the House of Creed created a floral escape in the ballroom, where guests effortlessly spritzed on their signature fragrances.
For viewers who wanted a real-time time look at the red carpetRed CarpetThe high-profile arrival area at premieres, award ceremonies, and galas, where celebrities pose in carefully chosen fashion for photographers. Red carpet looks generate headlines, define trends, and elevate designers, andGo to Red Carpet Glossary as it happened, beauty queen Sam Acosta brought the glamour straight to their screens, hosting a live stream of the evening’s highlights with Playtime.
Press Play
Ms. Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo, kicked off the evening’s festivities. “Tonight, we cast a spotlight on the rhythm that beats at the heart of artistry and national pride,” she declared, “The pulsing passion to make a change, the bold leaps taken to reach new heights, and the graceful yet powerful strides that move our nation forward.”
On the second night, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves brought her infectious energy to the room and kept the party going.
MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes‑Isidro followed with remarks that captured the symbiosis of both arts:
– MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro
“Dance, in its vast array of forms, draws inspiration from fashion, just as fashion is influenced by the grace and dynamism of dance.”
Dinner Before Dancing
Chef Rhea Rizzo explained that the evening’s dinner menu had been created to set the tastebuds dancing, likening cooking to dance, with its own rhythm, timing, and steps.
“In many ways, dance and running a restaurant are very much alike. Both require repetition, discipline, and devotion.”
– Chef Rhea Rizzo
Guests began the evening with hors d’oeuvres that Chef Rhea created featuring bacon-forward creations from BAKEN, the world’s first all-bacon snack brand, setting a savory tone for the night. The dinner progressed through a series of themed dishes inspired by dance styles. Act 1, Classical, served a rich mushroom velouté. Act 2, Contemporary, featured delicately cured salmon. Act 3, Hip-Hop, offered tender wagyu ribs bursting with flavor. Act 4, Lyrical, presented a unique dessert of ube piaya with sambal embe, blending sweet and spicy. The meal concluded with Act 5, Jazz, a decadent dark chocolate tart that provided a soulful finish.
Pinoy Pride Awardees
Ten remarkable women were Movers and Shakers in the truest sense. These women, by being true to themselves and opening their hearts to the world, brought about change in the spaces they inhabited. Through the works of their hands, their words, and expressions of their creativity, they made their mark on the world. For the MEGA Ball Fashion and Dance Pinoy Pride Awardees, recognition came with a sculpture worth its weight in meaning.
Designed by Neil Felipp, the mother-of-pearl trophy was an abstract ode to movement. Fluid yet firm, it reflected the strength of Filipino artistry and the courage it took to shape the future.
MEGA Ball Co-Chair and Pinoy Pride Awardee for Dance Georcelle Dapat-Sy; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Beauty Vicki Belo; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Business Leadership Grace Vera Cruz; Co-presented by IQOS Pinoy Pride Awardee for Journalism Karen Davila and Pride Awardee for Fashion and Social Media Heart Evangelista; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Entertainment Dolly de Leon; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Fashion and Social Media Heart Evangelista; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Dance and Social Media Niana Guerrero; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Dance and National Artist Alice Reyes; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Advocacy Suzy Yuzon; Pinoy Pride Awardee for Dance and National Artist Agnes Locsin.
Dance Fearlessly
The stage went dark, and a spotlight shone on MEGA Ball Co-chair Teacher Georcelle. She declared, “Some of you were very happy to see us, but some of you, I already felt the discomfort.” For the final performance, co-presented by IQOS, dancers came from all over the ballroom and joined her on the stage. Together, they moved and danced to Gloc-9’s “Sumayaw Ka.” Teacher Georcelle then brought up Dolly de Leon on the first night, and Emilio Daez on the second night, to join and do the cheorography with them.
On night two, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines honored folk roots through a modern cultural dance that beautifully embodied the theme of movement. Both evenings were capped off by show-stopping performances from G-Force, who invited the audience to join the dance floor, turning the moments into spontaneous celebrations of collective choreography.
Time to Party!
When the lights dimmed and the main event ended, the tempo turned up. At the MEGA Ball: Fashion + Dance after-party, creatives, celebrities, and scene-stealers grooved to live sets courtesy of the DJs at the ZYN vibe deck, with cocktails flowing from Nightcap Manila and Nyctophile. Sweet treats from the Magnum Ice Cream bar kept guests’ energy high throughout the night.
For those who wanted to relax and get some fresh air before heading back to the dance floor, the IQOS and ZYN lounge in the courtyard offered a refreshing break — a laid-back spot that allowed guests to unwind while still staying connected to the energy of the party.
After an evening of movement and celebration, guests departed with curated gift bags — a refined curation of post-party indulgence. Inside: wines from Project Vino and La Bodega, beauty essentials from Pili Ani, New Moon, Dear Face, Luxe Beauty and Wellness, and Cream Silk, and home fragrances from La Rêve. The Pinoy Pride Awardees were also given gifts from Hiessence to bring a touch of the night’s glamour into moments of indulgence and relaxation.
Photographed by BIMPOMAN, assisted by RUZZIAN. Creative Direction by BRIE VENTURA. Multimedia Artist ANNA FLORES. Production Design by TIPPING POINT COLLECTIVE.
Photographed by KIM SANTOS. Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO. Multimedia Artist ANNA FLORES, KURT FRONDA, and MARCUS BONDAD. Production Design by TIPPING POINT COLLECTIVE.
Photographed by KIERAN PUNAY, EXCEL PANLAQUE of KLIQ INC., DANIEL TAN, MEET KESO, and LUIS RUIZ
Special thanks to the following:
Major Sponsors THE HOUSE OF CREED, IQOS, ZYN, CREAM SILK, and BAKEN
Minor Sponsors LUXE BEAUTY AND WELLNESS GROUP, DEAR FACE, NEW MOON, MAGNUM, AWESAM SMILE DENTAL CLINIC, and PLAYTIME
Partners BRITTANY HOTEL, SEDA BGC, LE REVE, JEN COOKS, BEST OF LUCK, and WONG PLACE
