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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
It was a night full of glimmer, good tidings, and gratitude as ABS-CBN's talent management arm Star Magic celebrated the yuletide season by giving back to various communities and recognizing the loyalty of its artists in "Star Magical Christmas" ball held last November 19, 2023 at the Manila Marriott Hotel. Among the Star Magic artists who dazzled the event's white carpet with their dashing yuletide looks were Joshua Garcia as Willy Wonka, Andrea Brillantes putting an elegant spin on the Christmas parol, and the tandem of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan as the holiday versions of Barbie and Ken, among many others.
Along with the gathering of its bright stars, Star Magic shared the holiday magic by initiating a toy drive for the benefit of the children of Bantay Bata 163. Before the ball, many artists also spread their love through its "Share the Magic" initiative by helping a charity or beneficiary of their choice. Their charitable efforts were then recognized during the event with the group of "Fractured" stars Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, and Raven Rigor taking home the BingoPlus Award for exceptional magic sharing and its grand prize of Php100,000 to their select beneficiary Ephesus: Home for Girls. They were followed by the stars of "Pira-Pirasong Paraiso" winning Php50,000 as second placers for the benefit of the Pawssion Project; and the third-placed team of Alexa Ilacad, Nonong Ballinan, and Eric Nicolas with Php30,000 for their "Laban Lungs" benefit concert for former ABS-CBN head writer Sherwin Concepcion who is currently battling lung cancer.
Meanwhile, Star Magic continues to recognize the withstanding loyalty and dedication of their select artists through the years. Among this year's loyalty awardees were 25-year Star Magic talents Desiree del Valle and Andrei Felix, along with theater actress Carla Guevarra-Laforteza (24 years), former child stars Igi Boy Flores and "Nag-Aapoy na Damdamin" leading lady Jane Oineza (22 years), director/comedian John "Sweet" Lapus (22 years), and versatile actor Ketchup Eusebio (21 years). Through a video presentation, Star Magic officially unveiled its upcoming events for 2024 which includes "the most fairytale event of the year," the Star Magical Prom; the return of "Star Magic: Hot Summer" for its second year; "Star MAMAGic Day" which pays tribute to mothers; the much-anticipated 2024 Star Magic All Star Games; Star Magic Shooting Stars set to play in various arenas across the country and even abroad; and Star Magical Christmas 2024.
Star Magic also announced the upcoming projects that will be headlined by its artists. Joshua Garcia will lead the star-studded cast of the romantic comedy "Fruit Cake" while at least 18 Gen-Z Star Magic artists will audition for three veteran directors for five main roles in a new YouTube digital series "Zoomers", the search for the next Gen-Z stars. There will also be a teen slasher digital movie "Deadline." On the other hand, Star Magic artists will continue to explore the theater scene with Teatro Kapamilya. There will also be a series of live events and shows including a concert which will feature favorite Star Magic love teams. For the first time, there will also be a Star Magic Dance Festival and a Star Magic Music Festival. The most talented artists and singers of Star Magic will also come together to celebrate the country's top composers and songwriters in the Star Magic Maestro Concert Series. Star Magic musicians will also gather for performances in bars around the Philippines in Pulsuhan. For those who missed out on Star Magic's Star Magical Christmas ball, they can relive the festive event on-demand via Star Magic's official YouTube channel.
