Before the stars walked the ABS-CBN Ball 2025 red carpet, they had several stops, including the Metro lounge, dressed up by event stylist Dave Sandoval. Against a quaint setting that exuded a whimsical garden vibe, the artists posed for editorial photographer Rxandy Capinpin.

Here are some of our favorite moments from the Metro lounge:

Fyang Smith made sure her partner, JM Ibarra, was camera-ready as she fixed his coat before his portrait shoot.

Check out the video here. JM later smiled at her, appreciating what she did. 

That fierce and fun MaSh (Maja Salvador and Shaina Magdayao) moment with Teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy

All looking elegant, we loved how their ensembles' colors matched, too! Check out the behind-the-scenes clip here.

Designer and muse: Neric Beltran joined Shaina Magdayao for a photo op

Shaina loved her gown so much—an elegant masterpiece Neric created for her in less than 24 hours!

Kapuso stars at a Kapamilya event

Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition host Mavy Legaspi and ex-PBB: Celebrity Collab housemate Ashley Ortega dropped by the Metro lounge, displaying palpable chemistry.

A queen stepped into our Metro wonderland

Drag Race Philippines' Viñas DeLuxe looked impeccable in her black strapless gown with statement pink floral accents. In an interview with Metro.Style, she shared her take on the spring formal dress code, citing Miranda Priestly's (Meryl Streep) sarcastic comment in the movie The Devil Wears Prada: "Florals for spring? Groundbreaking." "Sabi nga ni Meryl Streep sa Devil Wears Prada, napaka-basic ng flower for spring. Pero, ganito ba ka-basic?!," she said, flashing a big smile while showcasing how she elevated her spring-themed outfit with flowers.

Beauty queen face cards that never decline

The beauty queens who visited our Metro lounge were Miss World 1993 2nd Runner-Up Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Maté, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 4th Runner-Up Christi McGarry, and Binibining Pilipinas 2023 2nd Runner-Up Reign Parani.

Ruffa Gutierrez

Michelle Dee

Dia Mate

Christi McGarry

Reign Parani

How Melai Cantiveros-Francisco brightened our set with her signature humor

The Kuan on One, Pilipinas Got Talent, and Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition host is truly an effortless comedienne.  

How our jaws dropped upon seeing the modelesque Maymay slay in her elegant and luxurious Michael Cinco gown

Maymay is naturally gorgeous, and she is a fashion muse, but kudos to her team, too, for putting this look together for her: stylists Rain Dagala and Em Millan, makeup artist Denise Ochoa, and hairstylist Kiel Otilla. Here's a video of Maymay at the Metro lounge.

The hilarious and unexpected ViceAnne moment

Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis-Smith happened to be at the Metro lounge simultaneously. Vice Ganda was already done with her photo shoot, but she stayed behind to watch Anne; Vice Ganda even fixed her gown's train before her quick portrait snap. After that, Vice Ganda thought of taking another photo beside Anne, posing as if she's a villainess. Too funny! Their photos give movie poster vibes like Snow White and the Evil Queen. Here's a short BTS clip.

BONUS: Well, technically, this did not happen before the red carpet... 

...but that's what we loved about this moment. After walking the red carpet, Andrea Brillantes, aka CEO Blythe, dropped by the Metro lounge and told us, "Akala niyo nakalimutan ko kayo, no? Siyempre hindi!" Aaawww!

Photos by Rxandy Capinpin