ABS-CBN Ball 2025: Our best-dressed celebrities

Nadine Lustre, Andrea Brillantes, Maymay Entrata, and Maris Racal are some of the celebrities on INQUIRER.net Entertainment’s Best Dressed list. Images: Alexis Dave Co via Instagram/@nadine, Jharwin Castaneda via @blythe, Alan Segui via @maymay, Dennis Sulit via @mariesteller

It was a special night for A-list celebrities, up-and-coming stars, and fan favorites who gathered at the spring awakening-themed flair of the ABS-CBN Ball 2025 in florals, pastel colors, eye-catching silhouettes, unique fabrics, and other interpretations of the season.

The star-studded gala—held at the Solaire North in Quezon City on Friday, April 5—is arguably one of the most successful editions to date as celebrities, media executives, and other guests had fun incorporating their own twist to this year’s “Spring Formal” theme.

Despite this, some celebrities bloomed amongst the pack with their fashion-forward and spectacular red carpet looks.

1. Maris Racal

Maris Racal was a statue personified in her Ehrran Montoya gown with a high-neck halter and A-line silhouette. Her slim physique became the perfect canvas for the gown’s wavy pattern reminiscent of brush strokes done in different shades of purple, including lavender, periwinkle, and plum.

Maris Racal in Ehrran Montoya. Image: Dennis Sulit via Instagram/@mariesteller

Racal added more drama with a high bun and fringe bangs, and silver diamond-shaped drop earrings without clashing with the gown’s intricate design.

Maris Racal in Ehrran Montoya. Image: Dennis Sulit via Instagram/@mariesteller

2. Maymay Entrata

Maymay Entrata in Michael Cinco. Image: Alan Segui via Instagram/@maymay

Serving on the red carpet is no sweat for Maymay Entrata, and this year’s gala showcased the actress-singer paying tribute to the richness of the earth in a shimmery brown gown by Michael Cinco. The eye-catching gown featured a body-hugging bodice lined with fabric roses, a Schiaparelli-inspired clam basque, and a tulle cape.

3. Nadine Lustre

Nadine Lustre in Rajo Laurel. Image: Alexis Dave Co via Instagram/@nadine

Nadine Lustre was reminiscent of a gallery painting in a custom-made Rajo Laurel gown that honored her love for the ocean. What made this look extraordinary was Lustre combining the elegance of Audrey Hepburn (through her fringe bangs and slicked-back bun, and classic accessories) and Marilyn Monroe (as seen in the gown’s sexy silhouette) without losing her signature edgy flair.

4. Criza Taa

Criza Taa in Russel Mae Cordero. Image: Andrea Beldua via Instagram/@mscrizataa

Emerging as a style superstar is Criza Taa, who looked like a Greek goddess in her gem-encrusted Russel May Cordero number that hugged her curves. The tube gown also featured a thigh-high slit at the middle and tassels giving the illusion of height, as well as a cape in the shape of a massive blue bow. The ethereal look was brought to life with the actress having her hair done in luscious waves, a gem necklace, and shimmery makeup.

5. Janine Gutierrez

Janine Gutierrez in Mark Bumgarner. Image: BJ Pascual via Instagram/@janinegutierrez

Known for her ability to captivate in pictures and motion, Janine Gutierrez brought together the elements of old Hollywood glamor through her dark red Mark Bumgarner gown with a tube neckline and a fabric resembling melted wax and modern elegance in her slicked-back, cropped hairdo and Bvlgari Serpenti necklace with white gold.

6. Andrea Brillantes

Andrea Brillantes in Neric Beltran. Image: Jharwin Castaneda via Instagram/@blythe

In a sea of gowns, Andrea Brillantes immediately stood out with her white, tailored bespoke suit by Neric Beltran featuring a low neckline, big shoulder pads, and a massive fabric rose lined with tassels on her behind. The actress ramped up the menswear-inspired sultriness with a high ponytail, a bright red lippie, and a Serpenti necklace lovingly lent to her by Heart Evangelista.

7. BINI

BINI in Michael Cinco. Image: Dookie Ducay via Instagram/@bini_ph

While the members of BINI—consisting of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, and Sheena—allowed their respective personalities to take center stage in the past editions of the ABS-CBN Ball, this year’s iteration featured the members showcasing their own sense of style while in their most sophisticated best as a unit. The use of blush pink in their Michael Cinco gowns projected their “walo hanggang dulo” motto, while the fabric flowers, different lace patterns, intricate beadwork, and various silhouettes showcased their individuality.

8. Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis in Nicole + Felicia. Image: Jharwin Castaneda via Instagram/@annecurtissmith

Anne Curtis has always set the bar for effortless sophistication in every red carpet event—and her bodyhugging Nicole + Felicia gown in captivating red is a masterclass of how less is more. Bringing a bold and classic interpretation to the Spring Formal theme, she brought the look together with a small cape filled with fabric roses, matching red drop earrings, and silver accessories.

9. Kim Chiu

Kim Chiu in Francis Libiran. Image: Dookie Ducay via Instagram/@chinitaprincess

From prom princess to breathtaking Miss Independent, Kim Chiu never settled for less in her ABS-CBN Ball looks. This year’s edition showcased the actress embracing her femme fatale in a golden halter number by Francis Libiran, which was lined with sequins from the neckline to the hem. The pièce de résistance was the use of a fabric rose on the bodice and her decision to go for a bold red lip.

10. Jane Oineza

Jane Oineza in Irene Lee-Chua. Image: Benjie Tiongco via Instagram/@benjietiongco

Jane Oineza was a ray of sunshine at the star-studded gala in her custom-made Irene Lee-Chua number. Oineza’s bright yellow gown featured a dramatic tube neckline with a combination of see-through and opaque fabric with glitter, a thigh-high slit, and a dramatic fabric flower in the shape of a water lily on the right side of her waist. While yellow is a common color associated with spring, what made her look unique was the use of “mature” elements like her bun and drop earrings, as a way to contrast the wholesome vibe of the gown’s color.

Honorable mentions

Alexa Ilacad

Alexa Ilacad in Vee Tan. Image: Andrea Beldua via Instagram/@alexailacad

Through the years, pastel pink and florals have always been the go-to in spring-themed looks. However, Alexa Ilacad turned the classic elements of spring fashion into a fairytale-inspired look with her sakura-inspired number by Vee Tan. The gown is reminiscent of falling cherry blossoms with its flower-lined neckline and the gradient use of pink, and the petal-like beads on the skirt and hem.

Kaori Oinuma

Kaori Oinuma in Vee Tan. Image: Am Lorenza via Instagram/@mesmyrrhized

Kaori Oinuma looked like a mermaid out of water in her Vee Tan tube gown lined with fish-like scales in different shades of blue which also featured a thigh-high slit, and a single sleeve with the same scale-like pattern. With her sleek bob, silver pendant necklace, and sultry aura, Oinuma was reminiscent of a siren waiting to tantalize her next victim.

Chie Filomeno

Chie Filomeno in Mark Bumgarner. Image: Andrea Beldua via Instagram/@chiefilomeno

Chie Filomeno has always brought a daring flair to her red carpet looks, but this year’s edition of the ABS-CBN Ball 2025 was a time for the actress to showcase her demure side. Filomeno was a captivating beauty in her orange and red Mark Bumgarner tube gown with a matching floor-length cape, resembling a sky during dusk. She opted for her tresses to fall in luscious waves, warm-toned makeup, and gold Bvlgari accessories to tie the look together.