Ghoul-Oriented Glam @ Ayala Center

Ayala Center threw a successful Hallow’s Eve party dubbed "Witches and Wizards Ball" at the Glorietta, organized by Tim Yap.

The event attracted such characters as Lara Croft, Peter Pan, Pocahontas, Tibetan monks, brides dead and alive, Tinkerbell and, of course, the mystical celeb of the moment, Harry Potter.

Manila’s hip and happening crowd displayed their creative mettle and cameout in full costumed force for the event at the Glorietta Activity Center. The place was transformed by Junjun Ablaza into a mystical nowhere complete with surrounding faux maple trees and candelabras lining the stage. Thing Sleepy Hollow meets Bram Stoker’s Dracula. A humongous gothic window onstage was the centerpiece that heightened the Clockwork Orange collection from fashion label Warp, unveiled an hour before midnight.

The highlight of the ghoulish and glamorous fete, however, was the costume competition among the guests for a grand prize of a trip to Paris. Hence, outrageousness was the dress code. Wendy Puyat was Josie without the Pussycats. Tim Yap came as Peter Pan, Patrick Reyno as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, new model Lucke Mucklin as Dracula, Rachel Alejandro as Lara Croft, and designer sisters Juliet and Mini Tan as Christina Aguilera in Moulin Rouge and Hiawatha, respectively. Top model Derek Ramsay was seen in a trendy babe’s outfit of fuchsia tank and printed shirt, navel hair showing. Angelo Villanueva came as a fashion victim, along with his coffin. Lyn Ching came as a nun, while stylist Jennie Epperson paraded as Harry Potter. The Ayala troupe came as a cocktail of vampires, magicians, nymphs, fairies and Cruellas, led by Miriam Katigbak, Rowena Tomeldan, Winnie Nazareth, Dave Rafael, CJ Jesena, Cathy Bengzon, Donna Ramos, Pinky Abad, Patti Javier and Grace Barbers.

While other attempts at getting the Eva Air trip included beauty contestants complete with sash, gypsies, the band Kiss, angels, Poison Ivy, Christopher Columbus and hippies, the one who got the judges’ collective nod was a man who came as Octopus Anthrax, complete with tentacles. The Bench Award went to "Mata sa Dilim," while the Globe Award went to the "Taong Basura." The Gift Gate Award went to Brad Turvey who was the most handsome of knights and Tessa Prieto-Valdes as a canary. Judges were Inno Sotto, Virgie Ramos, Ben Chan, Francis Lumen, Maurice Arcache and Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

Hosted by MTV duo KC Montero and Belinda Panelo, the event was thumping with great dance music from start to finish, thanks to skillful DJs led by Ian Elliott aka Harmonika.

Event sponsors were Ayala Land Inc., MTV Philippines and myGlobe. Other supporters were Eva Air, Granny Goose Tortillos, Nescafé Frothé, Knotsberry Fruittee Iced Tea, TGI Friday’s, Wherelse, San Miguel Beer, Teen Magazine and GetAsia.com.