The intimate gathering celebrated the Vogue values of inclusion, diversity, and creativity, alongside special guest Bretman Rock.

Last night, at the Manila House Private Club, Filipino celebrities and industry leaders across various fields gathered for the first-ever “mystery dinner” hosted by Vogue Philippines. The long table sat guests from the likes of Congressman Toff De Venecia, designers Carl Jan Cruz and Rajo Laurel, photographers BJ Pascual and Shaira Luna, actors and personalities Kylie Verzosa and Raymond Gutierrez, and many more.

The star-studded guests dressed to the theme “sparkle” for the event. Guests were treated to products from Drunk Elephant and NARS, along with the latest issue of Vogue Philippines magazine.

As the illustrious crowd settled into their seats, Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes stood to welcome the guests with a speech and explain what exactly these mystery dinners are all about.

“This is really an opportunity to have a conversation with the person across the table, the person beside you, and maybe discover something new about yourself as well,” Valdes explains. “We have this romantic notion that we sort of pass around in the Vogue offices, and this is about the Philippines being an archipelago of 7,000 islands. This is fostered in us, what we call an island way of thinking. One where we are not separated, but connected; by the seas, by the waterways.”

She goes on to reveal the night’s secret special guest, multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and personality Bretman Rock, who returned home to the Philippines just 72 hours prior to promote the launch of his first book, You’re That Bitch.

In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines earlier in the day, he tells us that this trip back since 2019. Since then, he became the first openly gay man to be on the cover of Playboy, and went on to become the face of Nike’s “Be True” Pride month campaign the same year in 2021. He was also included in the Forbes magazine 2022 Top 50 Creators List, alongside his cousin, music star Bella Poarch.

“For tonight, I think we anchor on this idea of inclusion, diversity, and creativity. And so our special guest for tonight is not a mystery to anyone here,” Valdes continues. “To use a small phrase, you are more than a media personality. He’s a newly minted author as well, and someone who really champions freedom of self-expression. More than an influencer, Bretman Rock is someone who really captures the zeitgeist.”

Bretman, who was dressed in a vintage Alexander McQueen top, trousers from local multi-label retailer UNIVERS, and silver Maison Margiela Tabi boots, was himself shocked at being introduced as the dinner’s guest of honor.

“Mabuhay everybody…I truly thought that I was not the surprise! Thank you so much, it means so much that there are so many important people here that I look up to,” he says, before joking with the crowd, “It’s so nice to be back home. Buy my book!”

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The unveiling of Vogue Philippines’ maiden issue culminated in a gala that brought together the best of the local creative industry, all of them impeccably dressed. Held at Shangri-la The Fort’s Grand Ballroom on August 29, the occasion saw entertainment icons such as Piolo Pascual, Anne Curtis-Smith, Marian Rivera, and Jericho Rosales, among others, in attendance. Also interpreting the black and white theme with pared-back sophistication were Karen Davila, Charmaine and Mike Lagman, Katrina Razon, Jess Kienle, Marion Branellec De Guzman, and Tina Maristela Ocampo.

Of course, the industry’s established figures including Inno Sotto, Chito Vijandre, Ivarluski Aseron and Mark Higgins all came to celebrate the historic night in Philippine fashion and dressed a number of stylish attendees. Contemporary designer Carl Jan Cruz attended the event with Paloma Zobel, whom he dressed, while designer Chris Nick was also in attendance with the mother-and-daughter duo he dressed, Nina Herrera Huang and Nikki Huang. Beauty queens including Pia Wurtzbach, Kylie Verzosa, and Megan Young also celebrated with Vogue Philippines. Below, the gala attendees.

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