Nadine Lustre, Anne Curtis and other notable celebs we missed at the ABS-CBN Ball 2023
While there are new stars (and even friends from other networks) who graced the most anticipated event of the year, there are a few celebrities who we missed seeing in their stunning ensembles on the red carpet of the ABS-CBN Ball.
The annual event had a much-awaited comeback on Saturday, Sept. 30 after a three-year hiatus following the Kapamilya network's failed bid for a new franchise in 2020. While this contributed to why some of the ABS-CBN Ball regulars didn’t make it to this year’s event, some chose to focus on their personal commitments abroad.
Here are some of the celebrities we missed at the ABS-CBN Ball 2023.
Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, Liza Soberano, and Pia Wurtzbach
Celebrity It girls Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, and Pia Wurtzbach didn’t join this year’s event as they went to the prestigious Paris Fashion Week.
First-timers Nadine and Anne also graced the event, the latter looked like a literal “dyosa” with her simple yet stunning white dress from Loewe.
Beauty queen and author Pia Wurtzbach, who also attended Milan Fashion Week, got the chance to reunite with fellow international beauty queens, including Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez.
Meanwhile, Liza Soberano is in the U.S. for her new venture as a Hollywood actress. She recently attended Milan Fashion Week.
Xian Lim
Xian Lim, who was Kim Chiu’s ball partner since 2012 wasn’t able to join this year’s event because of a moto event in India.
“Wala si Xian. Nasa India siya as of the moment. Nag-mo-motor siya sa Himalayas. Pangarap niya yun eh. May nag-invite sa kanya,” Kim shared in an interview with PUSH.
Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque
After the ABS-CBN franchise fiasco, Bea has been working as a GMA artist where she has starred in the drama, Start-Up remake. Currently, she stars in a new drama, Love Before Sunrise with Dennis Trillo. She and her fiancé, Dominic Roque recently had their Europe vacation, specifically visiting Milan and Como in Italy, and Lugano in Switzerland.
James Reid
James has been focusing on his music career since his last on-screen appearance in the 2018 film Miss Granny. He is currently managing his independent music label Careless with Jeffrey Oh, which houses talents like Liza Soberano, Issa Pressman, Jolianne, Destiny Rogers, August Wahh, and SOS.
Bela Padilla
Bela has been living in the U.K. since 2021 and goes back to the Philippines to work on projects. She recently went back abroad after her father's passing and to pursue her acting course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
After its three-year hiatus, ABS-CBN Ball is back to celebrate and express gratitude for the past years. Apart from its glitz and glamor, the affair is also a fundraising event, the proceeds gathered from this event will be donated to the network’s foundation, such as Sagip Kapamilya, Bantay Bata 163, and Bantay Kalikasan.