Mega magazine sure knows how to celebrate Independence Day. Last night, June 12, they paid tribute to a new batch of global Pinoys by holding the Mega Pinoy Pride Ball, which is already on its fifth year.
Held inside the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, which was turned into an all-white utopia, dinner was first served while singer Abby Asistio sang a stripped down version of different hit songs. The menu, just like the previous years, featured sumptuous creations that had a touch of Filipino, such as the Pateros Duck Confit, Green Lentil and caramelized Root Vegetables.
There was also a fashion show (we’re talking about Mega magazine, after all), and it featured the latest collections from Mega Young Designers Competition alumni Chris Diaz, Jeffrey Rogador, Fian Romero, and Veejay Floresca.
The highlight (apart from the annual Panatang Makabago this year led by Vice Ganda) of the show was definitely the presentation of this year’s Pinoy Pride awardees. They were honored in a production number featuring world-class singers Radha, Robert Sena, and Isay Alvarez.
Just some of the awardees are beauty queens Ariella Arida and Bea Rose Santiago, rapper Apl.de.ap, Asia’s Next Top Model runners-up Katarina Rodriguez and Jodilly Pendre, and Olympian Michael Martinez, who got the loudest applause from the audience that night.
Capping off the event (well, before everyone moved to Sage for the after-party) was a mini-concert by Gary Valenciano, who, of course, just had to sing his hit song “Babalik Ka Rin.” We’re a little bummed he didn’t sing “Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?” but we’re okay. It was a night of beautiful people (Sarah Lahbati, Bela Padilla, Iza Calzado, Andi Eigenmann, Ruffa Gutierrez, Maricar de Mesa, Karylle, Allison Harvard, Vanessa Matsunaga), great food, and world-class Pinoys. Plus it was a reminder of just how we Pinoys rock.
