On Independence Day, the country’s brightest stars, cultural icons and trailblazers gathered for the 15th edition of the MEGA Ball, held at an events place in Taguig City. Themed “Fashion + Dance,” this year’s ball celebrated movement as art and style as expression, while honoring the 2025 Pinoy Pride Awardees — inspiring women whose achievements have shaped their respective fields.

The stage, styled as a sleek dance floor, became the spotlight for the night’s honorees: Dr. Vicki Belo for beauty; Georcelle Dapat-Sy for dance; Karen Davila for journalism; Dolly de Leon for entertainment; Heart Evangelista for fashion and social media; Niana Guerrero for digital dance influence; National Artists for Dance Agnes Locsin and Alice Reyes; Grace Vera Cruz of Grab Philippines for business leadership; and Suzy Yuzon, founder of Miss Possibilities, for advocacy. Their presence embodied the very essence of the MEGA Ball — elegance with purpose, impact with style.

Before the program began, guests entered through a narrow corridor lined with sponsor booths from brands like Cream Silk and Creed, the luxury perfume house, leading to a MEGA photo wall where flashbulbs popped and fashion statements took center stage.

Just outside, a pocket garden offered white lounge tables and chairs for guests seeking fresh air or the occasional photo opportunity under the stars. Among the celebrities spotted were Mond Gutierrez, Zeinab Harake, Steph Zubiri, Christian Bautista, Kyline Alcantara, Max Collins and Joey Mead King.

Inside, the cocktail area was deliberately dim, lending a touch of mystery. Waiters in formal black carried trays of hors d’oeuvres and mocktails as celebrities and guests mingled in dramatic black-and-white formalwear, echoing the night’s theme. An open bar served free-flowing cocktails throughout the evening, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The arrival of the beauty queens was another highlight of the night. In full regalia, they carried the grace and presence that have made them icons as they glided across the room like royalty. Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018, delighted guests with her salsa-inspired gown; host Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, looked stunning with her long blonde hair; R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022, stood out in a sultry black ensemble; Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and Krishnah Gravidez, Miss World Philippines 2024, were also present.

At seven o’clock, the ballroom doors were opened to reveal a spectacular scene and signal the official program to begin. Tables were dressed in ornate detail, and at the center stood a black-and-white checkerboard floor designed for dance. Red curtains framed the space, while tastefully embedded LED panels briefly lit up with silhouettes of dancers.

Peewee Isidro Reyes, editor-in-chief of MEGA, opened the floor with a speech, declaring that the annual gala has become “a cornerstone of the industry.”

She added: “This year, we turn our focus on dance, an art form that embodies the very essence of movement and creativity. Dance, in its vast array of forms, draws inspiration from fashion, just as fashion is influenced by the grace and dynamism of dance.”

Dinner was a five-course culinary performance by Chef Rhea Rizzo, who trained under globally acclaimed Indian chef Gaggan Anand, known for his progressive, boundary-pushing take on molecular gastronomy.

The meal unfolded like a symphony of flavors, each course named after a dance style. It began with Act 1: Classical, a velvety porcini and portobello mushroom velouté garnished with edible flowers. This was followed by Act 2: Contemporary, hamachi crudo paired with yuzu curd, wakame beurre blanc and ikura.

For the main course, Act 3: Hip-Hop, guests were served sous vide US short ribs in miso soy barbecue sauce, accompanied by potato purée and kale-slaw dressed with guanciale, mustard and honey.

A lyrical interlude, Act 4: Lyrical, arrived in the form of piaya filled with ube whipped cheese, sambal embe and kecap manis. The evening’s sweet finale, Act 5: Jazz, was a dark chocolate tart layered with bourbon caramel mousse and milk chocolate ganache. To whet the appetite, diners were earlier presented with a bacon-infused amuse-bouche created by Baken, the world’s first all-bacon snack brand.

During dinner, large screens played tribute videos of the honorees before each Pinoy Pride Awardee was welcomed to the stage. The program culminated in an energetic dance performance by G-Force, led by Georcelle Dapat-Sy.

And as the formal program came to a close, the ballroom transformed into a spirited afterparty. One by one, stars and guests took to the dance floor, their fashionable gowns and sharp suits flowing and sparkling under the lights. It was as if the pages of MEGA Magazine had come to life, moving in rhythm, celebrating beauty, style, and joy. Set to beloved Filipino pop hits, the dance party brought the house to life, blending movement, memory, and national pride into a vibrant close.