On the same week as the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) was another major fashion event: GMA Gala. But, like the SoNA, it had no red carpet — because it used blue!

Apart from the attendance of executives from GMA’s former bitter rival ABS-CBN, GMA Gala this year was a big spectacle, thanks to the combined GMA and ABS-CBN star powers on the runway. The following were among those that made heads turn and tongues wag:

HEART IS AN ART: From the SoNA to the GMA Gala, Heart Evangelista is the queen of the runway with a unique and show-stopping choice of bespoke, hand-painted Schiaparelli. I expect more than her simple hairstyle, though, because a gala is a formal, no-lugay (naturally hair down) event. Perhaps, a glam team falling out has its long-term effects.

FROZEN FEVER: Esnyr Ranollo did not only channel Elsa, but also her ice sculpture, in his custom Manny Halasan gown bannering GMA’s blue and white colors. It seems the cold never bothered him anyway!

GLINDA IN BLUE: Vice Ganda’s blue dress by Paul Cabral is a break from the usual Santacruzan or heavily-embroidered and beaded Filipino notions of what a ball gown should be, giving emphasis instead on masterful cutting and tailoring. The It’s Showtime host brought out his personality from an otherwise formal gown by matching it with a long blonde wig reminiscent of Glinda in Wicked.

BRIDGERTON VIBES: Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera were like a lord and lady at the period drama Bridgerton in their modern Victorian ensembles — Dingdong in an unusual velvet green suit by Stefano Ricci; and Marian in a sultry and lacey Zuhair Murad dress with a scallop neckline that accentuates her mestiza smoothness and Bvlgari necklaces.

CURTAIN CO-UTURE: Even before Bea Alonzo admitted her relationship with billionaire and Puregold president Vincent Co, she already looked so in love in this Grecian and romantic Ellie Saab creation that flatters her fair complexion. Alas, the dress matches the Gideon Hermosa-styled backdrop, making one wonder if the dress and the curtains have been cut from the same fabric.

BELLE OF THE BALL: Carla Abellana and her yellow Mak Tumang number would fit right in whether it is in GMA Gala or Disneyland. Fortunately, she seemed to have found her “Beast” because this beauty admitted in an interview at the gala that she is already dating someone, years after divorcing Tom Rodriguez.

BARB WIRE: Barbie Forteza has gone Barb Wire in a vixen red leatherette dress juxtaposed against a flowing sheer cape. The plastic leatherette looks fantastic! And speaking of plastic dreams, looks like this Barbie’s got a new Ken after she was spotted holding hands with Jameson Blake.

ANNE SIMPLE NAMAN: Besides Heart, I expected Anne Curtis to make a pasabog (splash). Although she looked stunning in her shiny and svelte Alaia pick and matching Tiffany & Co. jewels, channeling her favorite fashion icon Audrey Hepburn again a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s was a safe choice and was anything but new to my eyes. It’s not okay to be just okay, Anne!

SULTRY SANG’GRE: Kudos to Sang’gre star Bianca Umali for championing Pinoy pride in a capiz crop top and woven skirt by Jerome Lorico.

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS: A pair of scissors seemed to have ran after Darren Espanto. His nude Francis Libiran suit already flatters his moreno skin, so why add slits? What is so wrong with a complete garment that does not feel like it came out of a zombie apocalypse? Enchong Dee’s deconstructed suit by Aandrei David was more artistic.

AI AI-AI: Designer Pam O’Keefe brought Ai-Ai delas Alas’ vision to life by incorporating the comedian’s life story and movie titles into the show-stopping cape and futuristic body suit reminiscent of Ai-Ai’s superhero character Volta and reflective of today’s Artificial Intelligence.