All the Highlights from the MEGA Ball 2024: Fashion + Food (2024)

For its 14th year, the annual MEGA Ball blends the realms of Filipino fashion and gourmet indulgence

Fashion and food are both expressions of one’s craftsmanship, innovation, passion, and cultural heritage. At the same time, they are two of mankind’s basic needs to live. With the country’s culture deeply rooted in sartorial stories and gastronomic experiences, it is only right that we honor how these disciplines intertwine in the name of Filipino pride. Hence, the celebration of the 2024 MEGA Ball: Fashion + Food.

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This year’s edition of the MEGA Ball was a feast for the senses. Not only did it satisfy sartorial tastes, but also transcended gastronomic expectations. The grand affair, coinciding with Philippine Independence Day on June 12, paid homage to the exemplary culinary visionaries who shaped the food and beverage industry in the country.

The Grand Welcome

Co-presented by Acer Philippines, Jaz, Alfea, and AJ, known collectively as G22, welcomed the guests with their rendition of “Pinoy Ako,” originally sung by OPM band Orange & Lemons.

For their looks, leader and main rapper AJ, stayed true to her androgynous fashion by sporting an all-white Anthony Ramirez pantsuit and fedora hat. Meanwhile, main vocalist Jaz, known for her princess style, wore a white two-piece AJ Javier number with a voluminous peplum skirt and black sheer gloves. Completing the trio was Alfea, the visual, whose edgy and feminine style manifested through the Lauren Vito slitted ball skirt accentuating the black embellished dress. As ambassadors of Avignon Clinic, their skin also looked lit-from-within on and off stage.

MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro officially opened the program and spoke on bridging the concepts of fashion and food together. “Both fashion and culinary art are steeped in culture, history, and tradition, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience and heritage,” she said. “We hope that tonight’s experience not only satisfies our appetites, but also feeds our minds, fuels our hearts, and nourishes our souls.”

MEGA Ball co-chair and CEO of Wildflour Hospitality Group Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo followed to give her welcoming remarks. “The industry is coming together to influence the way we prepare and consume food and in return pushing the boundaries of what Filipinos are and can be,” she said.

The Showcase of Filipino Culinary Excellence

This year, MEGA awarded nine honorees whose culinary craftsmanship brought Filipino talent to the international scene—Lee Watson, Walter Manzke, Chele Gonzalez, Stephen Duhesme, Josh Boutwood, Miko Calo, Margarita Forés, Margie Lorenzana Manzke, and Joris Rycken.

From the star-studded guest list to the unique full course dining experience of this year’s Pinoy Pride awardees, here are the moments from the annual gala of the country’s best fashion magazine.

A Gastronomic Journey

The evening’s main event was a gustatory celebration of the Filipino culture with a menu especially created for the MEGA Ball by the evening’s Pinoy Pride awardees: Pandan and Tinapay by Wildflour’s Chef Walter Manzke; Pintos by Chefs Walter and Chele Gonzalez; Ulang at Tinigib by Chefs Margarita Fores and Miko Calo; Adobong Itik sa Gata by Chefs Josh Boutwood and Stephan Duhesme; Kalderetang Buntot ng Baka by Chef Joris Ryken; and Mangga at Tsokolate for dessert by Chef Margarita Lorenzana Manzke. The meal was bookended by two co*cktails by Lee Watson referencing Filipino traditional wear: Terno for aperitif and Barong for digestif.

Event designer Robert Blancaflor and Il Fiore’s Bhem Meijer curated the tables with candlesticks as well as pearl white roses and anthuriums, maintaining a luscious design without overpowering the event’s main highlight—the food to be served. The dinner was accompanied by live piano music played by famed musical director and composer Rony Fortich.

The Anthem of Pinoy Pride

Completing the sensory experience of Filipino pride, P-Pop royalty and this month’s cover stars SB19 continued the MEGA Ball tradition of the annual singing of Ryan Cayabyab’s “O Bayan Ko.”

It was clear that each member of thequintetwas ready to shine on stage with their skin in its best shape, all thanks to Avignon Clinic, and their Jor-El Espina barong-inspired ensembles that was styled byTeam Rain x Em.

To introduce the performance, Chief Operating Officer of One MEGA Group Inc. Ramon Carlo Galicia highlighted the core of the celebration. “The Pinoy Pride Ball, or MEGA Ball as we know it today, is a testament that pride in our identity is easily found whether through fashion, arts, culture, or this year’s theme, gastronomy. On this day 126 years ago, the Philippine flag was first raised in Kawit, Cavite. And each year since, we have striven to uphold and strengthen our democracy and society through expressions of our distinct culture and history,” he said.

With a version especially arranged for the quintet, Pablo, Stell, Josh, Justin, and Ken gave a soul-stirring performance of the song, accompanied by the Los Cantantes, Kammerchor Manila, and The Philippines Mesitersingers.

A Taste of Opulence

The occasion that unified fashion and food was held at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort, known for their exceptional culinary offerings that bring guests around the world with their diverse and global-concept restaurant and bars. The Filipino spirit of hospitality was alive that night, with guests taking part in the charcuterie and drinks courtesy of Glendfiddich.

There were several booth vignettes at the venue wherein guests were invited to take and pose for photos. The largest and most lavish set was designed by Justine Arcega-Bumanlag—a dinner table set with a spread of Filipino delicacies and was photographed by Belg Belgica.

A Serving of Fashion and Beauty

MEGA’s partners were on hand that evening to help complete the “Fashion” part of the “Fashion + Food” theme of the night. BYS cosmetics and their artists glammed up the beauty queens and personalities Stacey Gabriel, Kayla Carter, Maureen Montagne, and Patricia Henson for the gala. Before the main event, guests also had the time to peruse booths of brands like Sunglass Haven with their curated display of chic luxury eyewear and glambot, Y.O.U Beauty’s floral haven, and Metrobank’s Lounge.

^{The Festive Nightcap of the After Party}

As the curtains fell in the ballroom, the festivities of the ball had only just begun. The anticipated after-party commenced at Uma Nota where the fun and drinks overflowed all thanks to Hendrick’s Gin and Jinro. It was a fitting finale to the full course of a night, leaving guests satiated in culinary delights and heartfelt appreciation for local talent.

Guests didn’t leave the ball empty-handed. They were able to take home a copy of the MEGA June 2024 issue with Liza Soberano on the cover, sweets from Auro Chocolate, a coaster from Casa Juan, and products from Barenbliss, Dear Face, and Luxe Beauty.

Truly, the MEGA Ball 2024 was a testament to the groundbreaking possibilities when fashion and food are combined. The occasion not only exuded elegance and sophistication, but also elevated our cultural pride for our very own remarkable designers and chefs.

Photos by BELG BELGICA, PAUI GUEVARRA, MIKE GELLA and ED SIMON, EXCEL PANLAQUE, KIERAN PUNAY and KIM SANTOS of KLIQ INC.

Special thanks to the following:
Co-Presentors METROBANK – MASTERCARD, SUNGLASS HAVEN, GLENFIDDICH, and HENDRICK’S GIN
Major Sponsors SUBARU, BYS, AVIGNON CLINIC, GRAB, ACER, HEAD & SHOULDERS, OLAY, PANTENE, Y.O.U. BEAUTY, and LUXE BEAUTY AND WELLNESS GROUP
Minor Sponsors BARENBLISS, JINRO, DEAR FACE, ELYSE AESTHETICS, ROYAL AESTHETICS and JAMILA AESTHETICS