The Head-Turning Bags Guests Brought to the Preview Ball 2025

The guests fully embodied the “homegrown” theme even when it came to their arm candy of choice!

Published on Sep 5, 2025

A momentous event like the Preview Ball 2025, where the publication’s third decade is celebrated, sets a picture-perfect stage to bring out your favorite sartorial statements—handbags included. Guests arrived at the Marriott Grand Ballroom at Newport World Resorts carrying arm candy that was carefully chosen with attention to detail, turning heads and capturing the essence of the “homegrown” motif.

Ahead, we look at the recurring themes embodied by the guests’ carriers of choice as they walked the Preview Ball 2025 carpet.

The Head-Turning Bags Guests Brought to the Preview Ball 2025

Pearl of the Orient

The hustle and bustle of the cities aside, the Philippines is an agricultural country at its core. Rich with natural beauty and biodiversity, an abundance of resources surrounds us, and this includes pearls. These lustrous gems of Mother Nature are rare, valuable, and overall mesmerizing. Various creatives and personalities, such as Angelina Cruz and Marj Maroket, arrived with iridescent clutches in hand, reminiscent of the pearl’s glistening complexion.

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Chloe San Jose, Angelo Vasallo, Jason Mago, Angelina Cruz | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

Apart from the finish and texture, the trend was further echoed by guests whose bags utilized the precious stones as beads and adornments. Others displayed their love for the perlas ng silanganan by carrying bags that weren’t decorated by it, but actually structured to mimic it.

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Bonita Penaranda, Marj Maroket, Chynna Mamawal, Felicia Cui and Preview Best Dressed List 2025 honoree Dom Canlas | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

Bags That Bling

“Ang bituin at araw niya, kailan pa ma'y 'di magdidilim” is sung by every Filipino in the national anthem. This pride and patriotism were undeniably reflected at the Preview Ball, where stylish individuals brought on the bling through their bags for the night. Many of them were painted in gold, appearing as armor that displays no fear in being seen and noticed, as we should when we divulge our Filipino hearts and souls to the world.

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Key Trajano, Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2025 honoree Jaggy Glarino, Chesca Montano, Preview September 2025 cover model Bomba Ding | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

This was manifested in a variety of ways—some through beads and sequins, others through glass features and metallic linings. If anything, it captures the individuality and the similarities of every Filipino at the same time.

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Mika Salamanca, Alodia Gosiengfiao Quimbo, Nicole Morales, Sam Cruz | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

Of course, this so-called armor was not limited to silver and gold; all colors within and beyond the rainbow have their own place to shine. From classic ebony and ivory to refreshing vivid hues, no color could have dimmed the sparkle carried by the guests (literally and figuratively).

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Preview 2025 Style Icon Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey, Gab Villegas, JP Habac, Keiko Fox | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

In Full Filipino Force

Moving past the surface, the dedication towards executing what it means to be “homegrown” was also reflected in the materials used for many of the guests’ head-turning bags. Carriers that were handcrafted, woven by Filipino craftsmen, and created in collaboration with artisans served as a testament to the undeniable talent of our countrymen. They all proved that locally made pieces are worthy of global recognition.

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Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2025 honoree Axel Que, Mark Razo, Vania Romoff, Preview Best Dressed List 2025 honoree Shar Cabigas | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

Several references could also be derived from the bags that graced the Preview Ball, clutched by designers like Kelvin Morales and Job Dacon. From the country’s love for food and seaside creatures, to the significant roles played by our textured hair and unwavering faith, the nude carpet rolled as a platform that showcased tributes to our roots.

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Gela Muñoz, Rocky Legaspi, Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2025 honoree Kelvin Morales, Job Dacon | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

Another rich tradition that cannot be erased from Filipino culture is wood carving, with indigenous people possessing the skills to create pieces adorned by intricate symbols and stories. With that, wooden bags took the spotlight. And if we’re talking about values that make us who we are, we just have to include things we can't live without: pop culture and transportation! Stylishly quirky bags shaped as televisions and kalesas, carried by Camille Prats and Kat Bautista, had their moment on the carpet, too!

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Camille Prats Yambao, Raejell Roxas, Kat Bautista, Luis Espiritu | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

In true Preview spirit, a love for all things festive was radiating from every corner of the room, which is only right for such a special celebration of the magazine’s 30th year! Colorful bags were a reminder of the Filipino energy, always living each day as if it’s a fiesta.

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Antoinette Jadaone, Tanya Maria Aguila, Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2025 honoree Renz Reyes, Preview 30 Icon and Summit Media Editor-at-Large Myrza Sison | PHOTOS: Pau Guevarra

SHOP:

Locally Made Bags To Showcase Your Filipino Pride

The occasion was a medium to honor Filipino creativity, but let it serve as a reminder that the pride and respect you have for what’s homegrown (or at least reminiscent of it) can be embodied every day, and the artful pieces that you wear are a good place to start. Shop similar ones or check out the exact bags that we spotted on the Preview carpet!

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Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.