Everything That Happened Inside the Preview Ball 2026

On September 10, the 2026 Preview Ball brought the layers behind Filipino fashion into focus at the Marriott Grand Ballroom at Marriott Manila in Newport World Resorts. For this year’s edition, Preview explored Deconstructed Fashion, looking at the craft, labor, history, and context that shape a finished garment.

The theme showed up in the details throughout the night, from the industrial treatment of the ballroom to the designers and personalities taking the spotlight. Here’s what went on inside the Preview Ball.

Once inside the ballroom, the industrial treatment became more pronounced. Moss Design House carried the look into the main event space with scaffolding, sheer drapery, metal frames, hollow blocks, and cement finishes, giving the room a deliberately unfinished character.

The first recognition of the evening followed with the Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2026 showcase. This year’s honorees were Rajo Laurel, Nicolo Perez, Viña Romero, Jerome Lorico, and Vania Romoff. Models from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) walked in custom looks by all five designers featured on the Preview Volume 2 cover, putting their distinct approaches to design on the runway.

Each designer also received a P100,000 grant alongside the honor. Preview Managing Editor Reg Rodriguez and Summit Media General Manager for Online Business Christine Ongteco-Sandejas presented the awards.

The evening then turned to the Preview Best Dressed List 2026, recognizing 12 names for their distinct approaches to personal style.

This year’s honorees are Atasha Muhlach, Donny Pangilinan, Jarren Garcia, Ida Anduyan, Martina Lebron, Kianna Dy, Abraham “Ham” Guardian, Melville Sy, Mav Bernardo, Marina Summers, Maronne Cruz, and Daryl Chang.

Preview Associate Creative Director Jana Jodloman and founding Fashion Editor and Summit Media Editor-at-Large Myrza Sison joined the honorees onstage to award them their honors.

The next major recognition went to Anne Curtis, who was named this year’s Preview Style Icon.

A perennial presence in media, Anne has appeared on more Preview covers than any other personality. Her looks have taken her from local red carpets to fashion weeks in Manila, Milan, and Paris, with major luxury houses and Filipino designers both part of the picture. Over the years, she has gone from one fashion persona to another, proving just how much she can transform with a look.

She was welcomed onstage by Marian Rivera, who became Preview’s first Style Icon in 2023, to receive this year’s title.

A performance by Sky Dance Avenue led into the evening’s final reveal: Vice Ganda as the September 2026 cover star, as well as Preview Volume 2.

Across comedy, television, film, and fashion, Vice has made a career out of taking up space on her own terms. Her work has continually pushed at ideas around beauty, gender, identity, and self-expression, making her a fitting face for a volume devoted to the many forms Filipino creativity can take.

Alongside the Preview and Summit Media team, he ended with a toast to the community behind them. “Thank you for continuously championing creativity, innovation, and purpose in fashion and beyond through every season. Here's to the Preview village and to staying at the forefront of Philippine fashion.”

With the formal program wrapped, DJ Xtina Superstar took over the dance floor, with remixes of songs from Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical making their way early into her set.

Drinks were served at the Manila Craft bar, alongside offerings from IQOS and Philippine Wine Merchants. Bongga Booze also brought a special cocktail menu by The Whisky Library team of Newport World Resorts, featuring drinks inspired by the musical.

Before heading home, guests could pick up their Preview totes from the Take Me Home Wall, which included items from the evening and a copy of the newly unveiled Preview Volume 2. 

The Preview Ball 2026 is co-presented by Birch Tree Adult Boost and Dove, in partnership with IQOS*, GCash, and Belo Medical Group, with Event Sponsors Stanley, HONOR Magic V6, and Penshoppe, Giveaway Sponsor Colgate, and venue partner Marriott Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts.

*Government Warning: This product is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults who would otherwise smoke or use nicotine products.