The country’s biggest and brightest business leaders graced this year’s celebration of fashion and art at the annual Mega Ball 2023.

With the fashion industry taking center stage, Mega Magazine—the number one fashion magazine in the Philippines—brings together the country’s biggest and brightest fashion icons and designers in a prestigious event: the Mega Ball. This 13-year-long tradition was the brainchild of founding editor Sari Yap and eventologist Tim Yap.

An annual affair held every June 12, the same day as the country’s Independence Day—Mega Ball’s objective remains the same: to honor Filipino talent and ingenuity.

“Whether it be the Pinoy Pride awardees, global Pinoy, or New PH awardees—the event puts the spotlight on individuals who are making their marks in their specific industries, as well as honors game changers, disruptors, [and] achievers in the local front, as well as in the global arena,” explains Peewee Reyes Isidro, the Editor-in-Chief of Mega Magazine.

“Mega is always about advocating for young and emerging Filipino talents in the realms of fashion, art, and other industries,” she continues. “It’s important to give them a platform to showcase their points of view and support them. In the same light, MEGA is also about honoring the masters or icons that paved the way for others to succeed and thrive. This year, our emerging artist awardees are rising stars in the art world. They have a unique point-of-view and are posed to be the next big thing.”

Event Highlights: Mega Ball 2023

Along with the country’s finest fashion designers, celebrities, influencers, society members, politicians, and artists, key business personalities and CEOs have also graced this year’s Mega Ball. Following the theme of “Fashion and Art”, the attendees celebrated the country’s 125th Independence Day at the Manila Peninsula in style.

A night of fine dining, elegance, and class, guests enjoyed the celebration with sumptuous Filipino food, while emerging artists were recognized and awarded for their craft. Following this, attendees were treated to a private exhibit featuring some of the country’s established artists and their respective works.

The night was even made more special with performances from the Manila String Machine Quartet at the Conservatory, as well as performances by the 25-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra, which accompanied the singers who performed at the Rigodon Ballroom. Among those that they performed are “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, “O, Bayan Ko”, and of course, the “Philippine National Anthem”. 

Business Leaders Spotted at This Year’s Mega Ball

Festivities aside, the night was anything but ordinary, as guests looked “fabulous and dapper,” in Teresa Herrera’s words.

And rightfully so! Mega Ball 2023 didn’t just work as a gathering of the country’s top businessmen but also as a statement of their personal style. With that, here are some of the key business personalities who were spotted at this annual gathering:

Mikee and Sheila Romero, Chairman and President and Chairperson of Globalport Terminals

Senator Mark Villar

Paolo Villar, President and CEO of VistaLand

Atty. Annette Gozon, Senior Vice President of GMA Network and CEO of GMA Films

Ana de Ocampo, Founder of Wildflour

Sam Verzosa, Founder of FrontRow

Dra. Aivee Aguilar Teo and Dr. Z Teo, President and Medical Director and CEO of Aivee Group

Grace Vera Cruz, Country Head of Grab Philippines; Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls; and Dr. Hayden Kho, Managing Director of Belo Medical Group

Michael Tantoco Huang, Rustan Commercial Corporation VP for Store Development and Expansions

Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines

Erickson and Roxanne Farillas, CEO of Nagi Group and CEO of Plains and Prints

Ray Alimirung, General Partner of Kaya Founders

Jeremy Barnes, Director of the National Museum

Chris Cachuela, CEO of Avignon Clinic

Ryan Regua, CEO of RKitchen; Reese Regua, Founder of Sereese Beauty; Jonah Sison-Ramos, CEO of Dear Face; Paula Hilario, CEO of Babe Formula; Anna Magkawas, CEO of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group