Sam Milby and Anne Curtis

From the pigeonhole:

The night was young when stars all came down from the sky. The most beautiful faces and most popular names in the industry headed their way to Makati Shangri-La last August 30, 2009 as ABS-CBN Star Magic celebrates their 17th anniversary in the biggest and grandest third Star Magic Ball-a much awaited annual event in showbiz history.

ABS-CBN Star Magic’s homegrown talents headed by Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual looked elegant in their long gowns and tuxedos mostly in black, white, gold and champagne. All walked stunningly stylish in the red carpet as they posed for photo-opportunity and interviews by member of the press.

Star Magic artists who attended the event were Kristine Hermosa, Diether Ocampo (with girlfriend Rima Ostwani), Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Angelica Panganiban, Sam Milby, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Melissa Ricks, Matt Evans, Nikki Gil, Rayver Cruz, Megan Young, Zanjoe Marudo, Rica Peralejo (with fiancé Joseph Bonifacio), Jake Cuenca, Maricar Reyes, Coco Martin, Roxanne Guinoo, Sweet Lapus, Yeng Constantino, the 1st and 2nd batch of PDA scholars, PBB batch 1 and 2, Pinoy Fear Factor participantes, PBB Teens 1 and 2 and many more. Other non-Star Magic artists who graced the event were Martin Nievera, Gretchen Barretto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Pops Fernandez, Raymart Santiago, KC Concepcion, Anne Curtis, Eugene Domingo, Agot Isidro (with husband Manu Sandejas), Luis Manzano, Meryll Soriano, Vhong Navarro, Oyo Boy Sotto, Mark Bautista, Erik Santos, Denise Laurel, Carla Humphries, Raymond Gutierrez, John Prats, Phoemela Barranda, John Estrada, Sandra Seifert, Richard Poon, Derek Ramsay, Mariel Rodriguez, Jericho Rosales and Patrick Garcia.

ABS-CBN President and COO Charo Santos Concio, Former Senior President and Board Member Freddie Garcia and Channel Head Cory Vidanes also graced the event. Other ABS-CBN executives who made it that night were Deo Endrinal, Cathy Perez, March Ventosa, Bong Osorio, August Benitez, Monchet Olives, Terry Villareal, Jeff Remigio, Paolo Pineda, Leo Katigbak, Ron Valdueza, Annabelle Borja, Robert Labayen, Tess Fuentes, Roxy Liquigan, Joyce Liquicia, Nancy Yabut, Julie Ann Benitez, Dagang Vilbar, Louie Andrada and Phillip Cu-Unjieng.

Other prominent guests include producer Kitchie Benedicto, directors Erik Salud, Rhayan Carlos, Cathy Garcia, Mae Cruz, Alco Guerrero, Rowell Santiago and Laurenti Dyogi, Star Studio Editor In Chief Biboy Arboleda, Belo’s Cristalle Henares, Yes Editor In Chief Jo-ann Maglipon, Atty. Joji Alonso, talent managers Girlie Rodis, Ethel Ramos, Erick Raymundo and Arnold Vegafria, stylists Eric Pe Benito, Alyanna Martinez, Syndey Yap, Kim and Boop Yap, Arsi Baltazar, designers Paul Cabral, JC Buendia, Francis Libiran, Jerome Lorico, Nat Manilag, Ystenn Quijano and M Barretto, Regal Films’ Roselle Monterverde, Mother Lily Monteverde, Robina Gokongwei, Liza Gokongwei, Kai and Bryan Lim, Sander and Mons Tantoco, Miguel Pastor and Ben Chan.

The Rizal Ballroon had a Roman inspired theme with mix of sofas, coffee round and cocktail tables which made the venue a comfy and cozy place. The floral arrangements of Tony Rodriguez were composed of white and cream imported flowers that were seen on each table.

An acoustic number by Star Magic artists treated the guests while having their sumptuous dinner. Singing belters Sheryn Regis and Laarni Lozada with Star Circle 16 Auriette Divina sang I’m Alive while WCOPA champions Jed Madela and Rhap Salazar rendered a duet of “Stand By Me.” The crowd became wild with the high energy hip hop dance number of Rayver Cruz, Mickey Perz, Sam Concepcion, Thou Reyes and Star Magic kids Bugoy Carino and Izi Canillo. Love is in the air with the couple dance number of Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford, Derek Ramsay and Angelica Panganiban and Anne Curtis and Sam Milby to the tune of The Last Time-sang by Jem Marquez. Jay-R Siaboc sang When I First Saw You with newly discovered Star Magic singers Thara Jordana and Kaye Miranda. The traditional rigodon dance was one of the applauded production numbers that was headed by Rodjun Cruz,Gem Ramos, Nyoy Volante and JM Rodriguez. Hosts that evening were Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao, Kim Chiu and Enchong Dee. It was party time for Star Magic Head Johnny Manahan and artists when DJ Kimosave played non-stop dance music.

After the unveiling of 2010 Star Magic Catalogue, the most awaited part of the program was the awarding of celebrities who stood out that night. KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual were Sr. Moet and Chandon Sparkling Couple of the Night awardees. Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson won Jr. Moet and Chandon Sparkling Couple of the Night. John Lloyd Cruz was held Most Stylish Star of the night while Most Elegant Award for Bea Alonzo. Other awards given were Most Glamorous Award for Anne Curtis, Coke Best dressed couple were Mariel Rodriguez and Zanjoe Marudo, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford as Most Chic Couple, Maja Salvador and Rayver Cruz as Best Dressed Couple and Most Fashion Forward Award for Yeng Constantino.

The third Star Magic ball was made possible through the help of PR Man Keren Pascual. It was also supported by Coke, Moet and Chandon and Makati Shangri-La.

No doubt that this year’s Star Magic Ball was another successful and memorable event!

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GMAAC holds 2009’s ‘Sindie’ film festival

The GMA Artist Center (GMAAC), now known as the GMA Talent Development and Management Department under newly-promoted Vice President Ida Ramos Henares will hold its annual prestigious independent film festival starting today, Sept. 9.

The festival of independent films, which will also showcase the best talents to emerge from the center’s workshops held last summer is under the auspices of GMAAC’s Talent Developmenht Unit under Lou Gopez. This year will be the third time that GMAAC is holding this worthwhile event.

Billed “90909: Sindie III, Ang Pagsisimula sa Indie Festival,” the week-long event is jointly presented by GMAAC and Robinsons MovieWorld and will be showcasing nine short films from the Cinemalaya library, from various independent producers, and from the Directors’ Guild of the Phils. Inc.’s Cinedirek, the latter having featured and cast artists from GMAAC.

The films that will be showcased during the week-long festival include: “Tribu” by Jim Libiran, “Jay” by Francis Pasion, “Musa” by Dexter Cayanes, “Manong” by Arnold Argaño, “1017” by Zig Dulay, “Bente” by Mel Chionglo, “Ded Na Si Lolo” by Soxie Topacio, and the premiere screenings of “Engkwentro” by Pepe Diokno, and “Kamada” by Raymond Red. Opening of the “Sindie” festival today at Robinson’s MovieWorld.

On Sept. 13, graduating workshop participants take center stage as five short films, products of their hard work, will be screened. The short films are “Carl,” “Limos,” “Katok,” “Lapis,” and “Windang.” A documentary-drama from independent producer called “Barometer” will also be screened on Sept. 13, 6:30-10 p.m. at the Cinema 2 of Robinsons MovieWorld. The awards night and the graduation ceremonies will also be held on the same night.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Sept. 9 go to Luz Valdez, Rene Sarmiento, Dr. Ma. Lilia V. Encarnacion, Inday Salazar, Mario Alexander Faelmr Figueroa Jr., US-based Fe Kagahastian, Rosette Reyes Enriquez, Mrs. Adela E. Estaura of Guam, Desi B. Maniquis, Reginald Morales and Annette Sunga.