The ABS-CBN Ball 2023, which was held last Saturday, September 30, at the Makati Shangri-La, may be already over, but we still find it quite hard to move on from the extravagant star-studded and fashion spectacle that we surely missed seeing in the past four years, as our favorite Kapamilya stars continue to grace our social media feeds with their fabulous and lavish looks during the remarkable evening. 

But apart from being mere spectators, the public were given the chance to rally for their favorite Kapamilya stars to be named the “People’s Choice: Stars of the Night,” “People’s Choice: Power Couple of the Ball” and “Star Magic Fan Favorites.” The voting happened online through ktx.ph prior to the Ball, as well as through the YouTube Super Chat of ABS-CBN Entertainment and Metro.Style official YouTube channels during the livestream, until 9PM. 

Aside from this power, they were also given the opportunity to extend help to the ABS-CBN Foundation, which is this year’s beneficiary of the charity gala. It’s because part of the proceeds from these online voting would be added to the funds being raised to support the projects and advocacies of the Foundation.

The winners were declared during the Ball proper, which was hosted by Robi Domingo and Bianca Gonzalez-Intal.

With how they exuded prom king and queen vibes in their debonair and dazzling garbs, not to mention the kilig that they spread as they walked down the red carpet together, the beautiful tandem of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, a.k.a. DonBelle, were big winners as they didn’t just win one, but two of the special awards. 

First was the “People’s Choice: Stars of the Night,” which was bestowed to them individually after astoundingly raking in the highest percentage of the combined KTX and YouTube Super Chat votes for the female and male categories. Donny received 15.63%, while Belle got 28.79%, beating other celebrities included in the list.

The other one was the “People’s Choice: Power Couple of the Ball,” after the stars of the much-awaited series “Can’t Buy Me Love” were able to best the other marvelous loveteams and real-life sweethearts that graced the glitzy and glamorous event.

Donny swooned us in an all-black Louis Vuitton suit, while Belle stunned us in a bedazzled one-shoulder peekaboo nude gown by Michael Leyva.  

Meanwhile, the “Star Magic Fan Favorite” awards were received by Pinoy Big Brother alums Anji Salvacion and Eian Rances after dominating the respective female and male categories. Both of them marked their debuts on the red carpet in this year’s shindig, more than a year after the conclusion of the Kumunity Season 10 edition, where both of them came from.

Anji, who got the highest score of 29.50%, is definitely well-deserving of the recognition as she captivated us in the Ryan Ablaza Uson embellished black gown that she sashayed in, which she punctuated with her slick brushed-up long mane. Eian, on the other hand, looked dapper in the black and white custom bespoke tuxedo, which also from the aforementioned fashion designer. He landed on the top spot after receiving 16.54% of the total votes.

Congratulations to the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 winners!