Celebrity ‘creatures’ come out to slay at ‘The New Nocturnals’

Celebrities and personalities came out at night in their most eye-catching and haunting looks for The New Nocturnals Ball held at Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City on Oct. 29.

This year’s star-studded Halloween celebration marked a darker, eerier edition for the duo behind the annual event, Raymond Gutierrez and Ash Rye.

Known for the annual Opulence Ball, the pair shifted from glitz and glamour to something edgier and more mysterious.

“The New Nocturnals was born from a desire to evolve. It’s for the people who come alive at night, the ones who create, express and connect when the rest of the world sleeps,” shared Mond, who embodied the theme with his Two-Face look that balanced elegance and mayhem.

After skipping last year’s Halloween, Andrea Brillantes returned to reclaim her “Halloween Queen” throne, almost unrecognizable as a fierce black cat. She was a total head-turner with feline prosthetics, a long tail, blue contact lenses and a white feather boa.

“Because the theme is nocturnals, and cats are nocturnal animals,” Andrea explained on the red carpet.

 “Naalala ko kasi ‘yung kwento ng yaya ko when I was younger, tumatak sakin na kapag may nakita kang pusa, specifically a black cat, nagta-transform daw sila into a human. Ayun siya, ako ‘yun!” she quipped.

Darren Espanto as a sleek all-black vampire (left), Francine Diaz as a modern mummy and Dr. Hayden Kho as a mysterious protector-warrior.

Her transformation took over four hours to complete, radiating big feline energy as she mimicked catlike gestures during her red carpet moment.

The young actress, dubbed “Halloqueen” by fans, said she doesn’t feel pressured to top her previous Halloween looks, treating the occasion as an outlet for creativity.

“Ever since bata ako, mahilig talaga ako sa Halloween. Feeling ko dito ko nae-express ‘yung creativity ko. Kinakabahan lang ako lagi kasi sa sobrang creative ko, napapagastos ako ng sobra. ‘Dun lang ako nape-pressure,” she shared.

When asked about any real-life horror encounters, Andrea joked that “the scariest thing now is kapag maliligo na ako mamaya,” referring to the process of removing her intricate costume before attending another Halloween party the next day.

Andrea later posted on her Instagram story after winning NUSTAR of the Night – Best Dressed Award, saying, “Nanalo na akong Best Dressed, pwede na akong maligo!”

Also a Best Dressed winner, Barbie Imperial stunned in a sultry dark siren look, with slicked-back hair, metallic makeup and scale-like textures that made her one of the night’s standout attendees.

Jameson Blake as a dark-winged vampire (left), Jillian Ward as a killer bride in black and Kyline Alcantara as a two-face-inspired character.

Alluring in their gothic ensembles, Kylie Verzosa, on the other hand, captivated in a black lace gown as a dark bride, while Zeinab Harake embodied Morticia Addams with her long curls and sheer floral gown.

Jillian Ward likewise stood out as a killer bride in black. Recalling a “scary” experience on the set of her upcoming “Gabi ng Lagim” film, the Kapuso star shared, “We were shooting at a church, tapos ako lang ‘yung nilalamig. Hindi ko alam kung kaba lang ba ‘yun or something else.”

Ruffa Gutierrez embraced her queen-of-the-night aura in a regal black look, while her brother Richard Gutierrez twinned with Raymond Gutierrez, both sporting half-grotesque-faced appearances.

Channeling Harvey Dent, Kyline Alcantara merged horror and sophistication through an oversized brown suit, short blonde wig and a half-skull makeup design.

Former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemates Karina Bautista and Rain Celmar leaned into dark fantasy aesthetics, with Rain as a dark fairy and Karina in a sleek black outfit.

“Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” star Francine Diaz and reel partner Seth Fedelin, who attended their first Halloween ball together, went as a “modern mummy” pair in muted earth tones.

LA Aguinaldo as a skeletal-faced charmer (left), Michelle Dee as a high-fashion clown, Richard Gutierrez as a half-grotesque-faced gentleman, twinning with brother Raymond, Ruffa Gutierrez as the queen of the night and Shewarma as ‘Sarah Discaya.’

Photos by Jurelyn Trocio

Meanwhile, Sam Cruz was a vision in white, channeling “Phantom of the Opera’s” Christine Daaé in a flowing gown. Michelle Dee took a fun yet chic spin as a high-fashion clown.

Drag royalty also owned the spotlight, with Marina Summers wowing in a grown-up, couture version of Wednesday Addams, while Eva Le Queen, Arizona Brandy and Viñas Deluxe turned heads with their Maleficent, cockroach-inspired and triple-faced illusion looks, respectively.

Shewarma was also a show-stopper with her satirical impersonation of controversial contractor Sarah Discaya, carrying a briefcase labeled “Ghost Projects” filled with play money.

Singer Darren Espanto, dressed in an all-black vampire look, won Best Dressed Male, while celebrity doctor Hayden Kho came as a mysterious protector-warrior. Jarren Garcia and Jameson Blake also embraced the vampire aesthetic, with the latter donning dramatic black wings. Model LA Aguinaldo redefined spooky charm, looking freakishly handsome in a black suit and skeletal face makeup.

As the night went on, the dance floor came alive with beats from XI & ZID, SIMONETTI, SODI and Sky Dominique, alongside electrifying performances by dancers Nunoy with Leyva, Raymond, Houie and Stephanie.