Fashion, glamor and glitz at the 2nd Manila International Film Festival

The stars from Manila and from Hollywood got together one glitzy glamorous night as they celebrated Philippine cinema, talents and other creatives at the second edition of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).

Actors, actresses, film producers and writers showcased their best evening wear as well as Filipiniana outfits as they proudly strutted Filipino designer outfits or their favorite couture brands.

Liza Soberano, a regular at the MIFF, was vibrant and lovely in her red gown. Also in a sexy red backless gown was "Faith Healers" filmmaker Regina Aquino who received a special award for her documentary that had its world premiere at the MIFF. It was about Filipino doctors who left their homeland to care for the health of people in the United States.

Ruru Madrid of "Green Bones" arrived at the International Ballroom in his double-breasted black suit while co-star Sofia Pablo matched him with her off-shoulder black ballroom gown.

Kim Chiu looked very dainty and feminine in her Jot Losa off-shoulder corset top, which was accentuated with white flowers. It matched her peach-colored skirt. Promoting the upcoming premiere of her movie, "My Love Will Make You Disappear," Kim arrived with co-star Paulo Avelino who was looking dashing in his brown suit.

"Espantaho" stars Lorna Tolentino and Janice de Belen both opted also to wear black for the glamorous night.

Dressed all in gold was "Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Hospital Killer" MJ Lastimosa who was wearing a sequined plunging neckline off-shoulder gown that showed off her curves.

"Topakk" start Arjo Atayde looking dapper in a black suit and tie matched his wife, Maine Mendoza's black and white elegant outfit.

Looking like a GQ model was Dingdong Dantes in his black tux. He presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo who wore a Filipiniana top and a black skirt.

Both looking suave and debonaire are actors and MIFF regulars John Arcilla and Cedrick Juan in their dashing suits.

"The Voice" champion Sofronio Vasquez, who opened the show, wore a black suit and then changed to a black suit with brown accent lapels in the latter part of the evening for his performance with "Song of the Fireflies" actresses Rachel Alejandro and Morissette, who both won the Audience Award for "Best Supporting Actress" and "Best Actress" respectively.

The well-dressed "Song of the Fireflies" group also bagged the major awards – Best Picture and Special Award (special recognition for the film and its story promoting Philippine music, arts and culture through the inspiring story of the Loboc Children's Choir) and a Best Supporting Actor award for Noel Comia, Jr., who was not able to attend the event. Instead, director King Palisoc and Communications guy Harry Hartman received the award for Comia.

For the gala, Alejandro wore a custom terno with cutout embroideries designed by Regine Tolentino. Morissette, for her part, wore a custom emerald draped gown in silky gazar by AJ Javier. Producer Girlie Rodis was looking sharp in a custom Francis Libiran barong. Harry Hartman, Communications and PR of "Song," also wore a custom Francis Libiran suit, with an ADER Error trench jacket, and Schiaparelli Tromp-L'OeilL sneakers.

Grammy nominee and MIFF performer Deborah Cox wore a custom Jacob Meir gold sequined gown while Fil-Am actress-singer and Grammy winner Tia Carrere was ravishing in her off-shoulder black sequined gown. Carrere also won a Trailblazer Award at the MIFF event.

TV personality and MIFF presenter Jervi Wrightson, also known as Kaladkaren, wore a sexy halter sequined black gown and walked the red carpet with her husband Luke Wrightson.

Fil-Am Hollywood singer-actress Jennifer Paz ("Miss Saigon," "Steven Universe," "Steven Universe Future") wore a women's tuxedo by Armani while Fil-Am Hollywood singer-actress Melody Butiu ("Easter Sunday," "Here Lies Love," "The Queen of Versailles") donned a blue DELFI Collective dress called a Cerise gown.

Presenter and former Binibining Pilipinas Krista Kleiner wore a David Tupaz silk organdy black and white plaid silk organdy with a black and white polka dotted mesh. Tupaz described it as "my version of the Filipino saya with tapis but done in my signature old Hollywood ballgown version, matched with an Italian silk satin taffeta corset."

Fashion designer Oliver Tolentino, who was wearing one of his signature barongs, dressed up Maria Gigante, Miss Universal Woman 2024. Gigante was looking very beautiful in his sequined blush pink off-shoulder mermaid gown with French tulle ruffles.

Guests who also wore Tolentino custom gowns and barongs included Jason Colasito, Christine Gapilon Colasito, Claudine Dumlao, Reuhben Dumlao, Rhea Dumlao and RJ Dela Cruz.

Tolentino also dressed up Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza, the first Filipina elected to the California State Legislature, in a striking blue gown.

iSkin sponsors Richard Maghanoy and Imee Maghanoy were red carpet ready in Richard's Oliver Tolentino suit and Christian Louboutin shoes and Imee's Gucci white top, blazing red Carolina Herrera skirt and Chanel necklace.

Also wearing a Tolentino jacket was MIFF co-founder Ruben Nepales while yours truly wore a Carl Andrada dress. Fresh from New York Fashion Week, Andrada of Carmelo Designs presented a striking piece from the Noli Me Tangere collection. The black and gold brocade blouse and skirt is a modern reimagining of the traditional Filipiniana dress. Featuring oversized sleeves and a dramatic black train crafted from jusi fabric, the design beautifully combines cultural heritage with contemporary elegance, creating a sophisticated and bold statement.

The First Lady of the Philippines, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who was honored with a Visionary Award at the MIFF for championing Philippine cinema, looked lovely and elegant in a custom Paul Cabral pastel blue terno.

MIFF Chairman Omen Ortiz was looking very sharp in his white Tom Ford suit, Silk Laundry shirt and Christian Louboutin shoes. MIFF guest Katrina Ponce-Enrile looked lovely in her Ivar top and Neric Beltran. Mimi Aquino, wife of Congressman Joeboy Aquino of Butuan, was elegant in her blue off-shoulder gown by Drezee.

Fashion designer Puey Quinones wore a double-breasted long coat with a thin leather belt while Getty Museum art curator Paul Martineau wore a Puey Quinones black tuxedo.

Gabe Gonzales and Robert Kolosso of The Mestizo LA, who were both wearing signature The Mestizo LA barongs, also dressed up a number of celebrities and special guests during the event.

Fil-Am Hollywood actor Reggie Lee ("Prison Break," "Grimm," "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Fast and the Furious") wore a Cecilio Men's Barong Tagalog from cocoon silk adorned with calado-inspired embroidery.

Carlin James ("Better Call Saul," "American Crime Story," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") wore The Mestizo LA's Espresso coffee-colored pineapple fabric barong with sampaguita and banana flower embroidery in metallic thread, and a lapel adorned with a single line of beads for a quiet yet glamorous look.

James' wife Althea wore a latte-colored velvet bolero with an embroidered indigenous fabric placed on to its asymmetrical butterfly sleeve, a soft blush-colored tube top in peau de soie fabric, a tulle skirt with gold and Swarovski embellishments, and a gold belt.

TV host and MIFF's red-carpet host, Jannelle So, was lovely sporting a soft corset vibe from peau de soie fabric, a purple plaid indigenous fabric tapis wrap, and a multi-layered sequined floor-length skirt with manually hand-sewn ostrich feathers.

Actor, model and professional basketball player Cole Micek wore The Mestizo LA's short-sleeved barong in cocoon silk, adorned with a layered, custom-designed 5-color scattered floral embroidery applied on 2 types of fabrics.

Fil-Am Hollywood actor Jon Awit ("The Master Chief Movie," "Take Care," "I Love You, But It Could Be Better") donned the upcoming Manila historical prints mixed with embroidery barong, in a rosy tan matte organdy which will be available on The Mestizo LA website this Spring.

Among the MIFF special guests is the Timothy Granaderos family who was affected recently by the LA wildfires. The MIFF recognized the first responders in this second edition in the tribute gala.

All wearing The Mestizo LA outfits, Timothy Granaderos Sr. wore a Timothy Cocoon Silk Barong with Green Embroidery, a piece his son (Tim Jr.) endorsed, making it a memorable moment. Mrs. Granaderos wore a printed crepe fabric dress featuring butterfly sleeves. Tim's sister Alyson wore a black Shantung chemise dress with The Carmelita Bolero - a 1950s-inspired piece crafted from yellow gold peau de soie fabric, featuring multi-tone thread embroidery, subtle sequins and crystals for shimmer and dimension, and 3D jasmine flower effects. Tim's brother, Will, wore a Bordeaux Red colored pineapple fabric barong with sampaguita and banana flower embroidery in metallic thread, and a lapel adorned with a single line of beads for a quiet yet glamorous look.

For Amiel Noble of Noble Creations, he also donned one of his signature barongs. Noble also dressed up Fil-Am Hollywood actress-singer Anna Maria Perez de Tagle ("Hannah Montana," "Camp Rock," "Fame") in a beautiful flowery pastel purple terno, "Topakk" actor Enchong Dee in a Noble signature Barong Tagalog, Fil-Am Hollywood actor Zedrick Restauro ("How to Get Away with Murder," "American Crime Story," "Powerless") in an edgy Eraserheads tribute Barong, MIFF coordinating producer Meriden Angeles in a glittery red sequined terno, TV journalist Steve Angeles in one of the Noble signature barongs, FilAm Creatives Jeff Francisco and Angel Quinsay, the Rice Cupp family, Mark Rivera and Loj Tonacao.

Last but not the least, Hollywood Fil-Am fashion designer Alexis Monsanto arrived on the red carpet wearing his Fall/Winter '25 Faux Leather Croc printed jacket with black mock turtle long-sleeve shirt. In tow was Miss Russia LA/Supermodel Olga Gurevich wearing an Alexis Monsanto S/S'23 of three tone ombre of fan-like pleated Italian tulle ball skirt with deep-V plunging neckline. It was accentuated with IXXIA Jewelry earrings and Charlie Lapson bracelets and rings.

We are looking forward to next year's Manila International Film Festival and see what fashion statements are made.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News