At Home with Judy Ann Santos and Champion Fabri-Con

I've always been a fan of Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (and of course so do my girlfriends Angelette and Eds). Aside from her top-rating shows, her blockbuster movies and untarnished reputation (I really think she's one of the most genuine in this industry and that says a lot about how she's brought up), she has become one of the most bankable, not to mention credible superstars of her generation.

Her candidness and her easy likability makes her an aspirational yet unintimidating figure in the industry. Aside from the change in her overall look--one that makes her an instant pick among fashion magazines and even beauty commercials (which she admits was a pleasant surprise)--Judy Ann has become a picture of unrelenting success both in her career and her personal life when she took on an even more challenging role as a wife to Ryan Agoncillo and mother to Yohan and Lucio.

Amidst the heavy rains, the whole of the Paranaque Function Rooms of the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati was filled with friends from the media when Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, pretty in her all-pink form-flattering jumpsuit, was welcomed home by the Champion family as the new face of the Champion Fabri-Con.

Candid and charming, she addressed questions and gamely asked the media in return when she gave away prizes to the delight of the function room. Unlike any other press luncheon, this one was made casual, light, and breezy (sounds like a Covergirl ad but yeah it really is) since the new endorser was gracious enough to make everyone feel right at home. Watch out for my full interview with her soon at The Philippine Star.

“I’m at home,” the newest face of the Champion Fabri-Con talks gleefully of the feeling of being at home with the latest from the 50-year-old company.

The ever-beautiful Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo gracing the Paranaque Function Rooms of the Shangri-La Hotel, Makati to talk about the newest from the Champion family, the Champion Fabri-Con.

Host for the afternoon, Miguel Anzures steering the wheel for the whole occasion.

Me and the gorgeous Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo right after the light and candid interview we’ve had with the newest Champion endorser.

President and CEO of Peerless Lion Corp. Simeon Tiu, the face of the Champion Fabri-Con Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, and VP for Sales and Marketing Jasper Tiu.

Philippine Star Lifestyle Editor Millet Mananquil with Simeon Tiu, President and CEO of Peerless Lion Corp. and Jasper Tiu, Vice President for Sales and Marketing

With ABS-CBN Publishing's Philip Cu-Unjieng and Metro Home editor-in-chief Anton Barretto.

The growing Champion family. Pen Roque, Corporate Marketing Director, Jasper Tiu, VP for Sales and Marketing, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, the face of the Champion Fabri-Con, and Simeon Tiu, President and CEO of Peerless Lion Corp.

No Power Over Destiny, No Power Over Stains

Have you seen this new TVC from Champion Infinity and Bench? It's been a while since I've seen this kind of commercial. It was, in every bit, topnotch. Of course, my favorite Joseph Marco stars in it so there's instant extra points already, not to mention the ever beautiful Empress, whom he was recently seen with in the primetime show Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala. It was a quiet, impressively-lit commercial with nothing but a catchy end frame saying, "No Power Over Stains." Clever. Witty. And subtly romantic (it talks about destiny, for starters!) I love it.

See video below!

The Seventh Star Magic Ball: The Grandest Prom of All!

Since the Star Magic Ball has begun, I’ve been so fascinated with the idea of having our very own Met Gala-slash-Oscar’s Governor’s Ball- type celebration that not only brings out sophistication at its finest, but a camaraderie among the biggest of names in all of showbiz industry (well at least at the ABS-CBN camp). Imagine some of the brightest stars dressed in their best all in the spirit of fun. I have to admit, this time of the year has always made me giddy to try on and wear a fashion statement of my own. Side note: Yeah, I still get a bit star struck when the the likes of a Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson (and the list goes on) pass by me.

Excitement has built since the signature giant invitation was delivered to my home. And boy, it did not fail to impress. Last September 7, 2013, the Seventh Star Magic Ball, with all its preparations (I assume because of the grandeur of the whole event) has managed, once again, to collect celebrities (newbies and veterans alike) in one night of glamour—filling up the entire Fairmont Hotel in Makati from its parkway (given the right kind of facelift to become a long glamorous red carpet) to the grand foyer right outside The Ballroom.

And of course, I didn’t go unprepared. This year, simple beauty lang ang peg. British brand COS came to the rescue, a classic silhouette for a classic beauty like me (can I get an Amen on that?) The atmosphere was so infectious. The energy? To the roof! It was like a grand reunion of gorgeous relatives.

This year has been made even more special with the inclusion of a SMB first, the Michael Cinco show. You have got to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard the name making waves in the fashion scene. What made it even more appealing was the unique show setup that’s so Vogue (haha). Bleachers surrounded the whole ballroom where the stars sat and waited for the show proper. The lights dimmed and the signature Ariel Lozada flair unraveled like poetry being read to you.

Of course I was impressed, as Michael’s collections always do, to see the matador-slash-flamenco-themed show featuring 30 of his runway successes—embellished like a true couture visionary. No wonder he has catered to the likes of Hollywood A-listers from Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Sofia Vergara, Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez to Lady Gaga: talk about HIGH FASHION!!

I have to give it to O+, the US based Android brand. Upon its entry, it has continously made its presence felt in grand occasions such as the Fashion Ball and now this glittery evening of the ABSCBN stars. Together with Ayala Land and the Ayala Malls, O+ has brought to life this grand celebration of stars gathered to pay homage to a master designer to the stars.

From the boys and girls of Mr. and Miss Chinatown 2013, the latest batch of Star Magic talents to seasoned, blockbuster mainstays Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Erich Gonzales, Kim Chiu, to Xian Lim, yearly, it’s a grand lineup of stars dressed to the nines in a relaxed, happy environment.

As usual, awards were given in the tradition of the ball. The Moet & Chandon Fabulous Pair was given to Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. The O+ Male and Female Stars of the Night were then presented by Mr. Michael Tan, Exclusive Distributor of O+ in the Philippines to the perfectly dapper and gorgeous Joseph Marco and Empress. Following their gracious acceptance speeches, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s undeniable chemistry and charm was rewarded with a Couple of the Night award while the scene-stealers in terms of the best wardrobe selection for the evening were awarded to the Best Dressed tandem of real-life couple Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador.

Capping the night off, quite fittingly, was a starstudded lineup of presentors, Piolo Pascual and Gretchen Barretto joined by Aveline Siy, of O+ Philippines to give the special recognition to Michael Cinco for his well-deserved efforts in etching the Filipino mark in the design arena. Congrats, Michael! Till the next showcase!!

The night continued on with more pleasantries and catching-up sessions with friends in the industry. While my shoes were an extreme challenge to me that night, I was glad I got to be part of this year’s gathering. 7 whole years. And it just keeps getting better. Count me in on year 8!!

THE WINNERS TAKE IT ALL. The Star Magic Ball big winners of the night. Xian Lim (wearing Edwin Tan) and Kim Chiu (wearing Pepsi Herrera) awarded the Moet & Chandon Fabulous Pair, Empress (in Edwin Tan) and Joseph Marco (in Michael Cinco) as the O+ Male and Female Stars of the Night, Daniel Padilla (in Edwin Tan) and Kathryn Bernardo (in Francis Libiran) cheered as the Couple of the Night, and the lovely pairing of Maja Salvador (in Cary Santiago) and Gerald Anderson (in Tom Ford) as the night's Best Dressed. 

Chinito couple! Cute while receiving their Moet & Chandon Fabulous Pair award were Xian Lim and Kim Chiu

Young hearts run free! Forgive me, I just can't un-hear that song when teen royalty Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla received the Couple of the Night recognition.

Maja Salvador and Gerald Anderson were the night's critics' fave for the Best Dressed award.

Our very own Dubai couture-superstar Michael Cinco gets his special recognition from Piolo Pascual, Aveline Siy (Marketing Director of O+) and Gretchen Barretto.

The black and red couture army.

Our very own Miko Raval walking the runway in one of the highlights of the Michael Cinco show.

KABOG is definitely an understatement for this grand finale brought by master couturier Michael Cinco. His 5inco de Matador: The Impalpable Dream of Andalusia gathered collective wows from the stars present.

O+ USA Marketing Director Aveline Siy, O+ USA Exclusive Distributor Michael Tan & O+ USA Marketing Manager Felyn Ong. Plus points for the team behind O+ in the Philippines for succeeding in working hand in hand with ABS-CBN to make the Seventh Year of the Star Magic Ball possible.

Dominique Cojuangco joins my favorite Enchong Dee for the night.

And the O+ Stars of the Night Joseph Marco and Empress walking the red-carpet.

Julia Barretto in her amazing Michael Cinco couture gown. IMPALPABLE!

Chinitos unite. The boys of the fun Mr. Chinatown Philippines 2013 dressed their best at the celebration.

Bangs Garcia with pop sensation Apl De Ap making a gracious camera appearance.

Bianca Manalo remains gorgeous in her astounding designer gown at the event.

GOLDMEMBER! Vina Morales and her golden ensemble at the red-carpet.

Grace Poe in a stunning white dress with her son Brian

BDO’s Newest Love Team: Mother and Son on the go

One of the most interesting interviews I’ve ever done was when we were all invited to talk to a smashing tandem of mother-and-son. Heartthrob, young superstar Xian Lim gamely sat with what seemed like an endless line of media talking about his exciting partnership with his mom, the young and sweet Mary Anne Lim.

In the interview, Xian is candid and unrelenting with the idea of him being a Mama’s boy (not to mention, a self-proclaimed Lola’s boy, who also joined us for lunch that day), something that he’s been too shy to admit. Much to our delight, he would always look and refer to his mom in almost all of the questions—added pogi points, if you’ll ask me.

Xian, the face of BDO, talks about the breakthrough application from the leading banking provider with the new BDO EBanking Mobile App. Combining a secured but on-the-go platform to check accounts and several of its banking transactions, the new application was promoted interestingly with the inclusion of Xian’s mom—a vivid picture of the traditional and the modern melded into one. Catch my column today at the Philippine Star to find out more!

Me, Xian Lim and his sister! Edit: his mom Mary Anne Lim

He says YES! BDO gets a thumbs up from Xian Lim.

Enjoy mobile banking at its best with BDO Mobile Banking App

Take full use of your mobile gadgets! Not just for Instagram and Twitter anymore! 

The beautiful mom of Xian Lim gets a seal of approval for its secured and high-tech ways to watch over your banking transactions.