The heart of a tradition: Reflections on the Tatler Ball 2025
There are nights that stay with you long after the last song fades, and the Tatler Ball is one of them. My first was in 2016: a beautiful evening, memorable in its own way, one that marked the beginning of an annual tradition I’ve come to look forward to.
Over time, attending the Tatler Ball has taken on the feeling of a familiar gathering before Christmas—elegant, warm, and comfortingly close.
Celebration with purpose
But more than donning evening gowns and getting dolled up, what sets the Tatler Ball apart is its purpose. Few society events can promise what Tatler boldly delivers year after year: 100 percent of proceeds go to charity, a mission it delivers with precision and purpose—and do they deliver!
For 2025, Tatler chose World Vision Philippines as its lead beneficiary, surpassing its fundraising goal of PHP 12 million to support the “Bawat Batang Pinoy Malusog” program, alleviating hunger among Filipino children and their families. Part of the proceeds also extended aid to communities in Cebu devastated by Typhoon Tinio through the Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung Charitable Foundation Inc.
At a time when the country continues to navigate uncertainty and recovery, the generosity of this single evening feels nothing short of extraordinary.
Behind the scenes
Of course, the magic doesn’t simply happen. Anyone who has ever worked behind the scenes of an event knows how much orchestration and emotional labor it requires—but Tatler’s team makes it appear effortless.
Managing editor Irene Martel Francisco is involved in every step, and her meticulous eye is visible in everything: the choreography of the evening, the pacing of the program, the subtle elegance of each detail. Supported by the vision of editor-in-chief Anton San Diego and the intuitive refinement of deputy editor Isabel Martel Francisco, the execution is—year after year—brilliantly seamless.
It’s the kind of polish only possible when leadership cares deeply, and personally, about the work.
Warm, witty, and unmistakably Tatler
Across the room, Manila’s most notable personalities and industry leaders floated in a sea of bespoke gowns and sharply tailored suits, reminding me once again how fashion becomes a kind of language at the Tatler Ball—a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and identity. Guests arrived at a ballroom transformed, sponsored by Tiffany & Co. as headline sponsor and Lexus, Belo, HSBC Premier, Megaworld Luxe Collection, and Tom Ford as partners, as the event marked its 24th anniversary since 2002.
Dinner was a culinary experience in itself: a burrata and prosciutto composizione, a luxuriously bright tagliatelle limone with Nomad caviar, roasted Asian seabass, and a dark chocolate feuillentine that demanded a moment of silence before the first bite.
The night’s auction showcased five exceptional lots, ranging from a safari escape in Kenya to a serene getaway to Nay Palad, a Breguet Type XXI “Transatlantique” timepiece, and two exceptional works of art—an untitled Rodel Tapaya painting and Casares (Pueblo Andalucia) by Betsy Westendorp. The full proceeds of Westendorp’s work went directly to MSYCFI for Typhoon Tino relief efforts.
The hosting lineup—Anton San Diego with Anne Curtis, Tim Yap, Stephanie Zubiri, and Small Laude—set the tone: warm, witty, and unmistakably Tatler.
A night dedicated to something bigger than us
One of my favorite parts of the evening is always the Tatler Impact Awards, a tradition that spotlights individuals whose work reshapes the world quietly, powerfully, and with purpose. This year, the honorees reflected excellence across disciplines:
*EJ Obiena for Culture
*Alfredo Mahar Lagmay for Innovation, through his leadership of Project Noah
*Nanette Medved-Po for Humanity, through Generation HOPE and its classroom-building mission
After the program, the ballroom transformed. The lights softened into jewel-toned hues, the energy loosened, and the Yellowlane band filled the floor with classics like “Uptown Funk,” “Celebration,” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” And dance we did. There’s something particularly joyful about seeing everyone—philanthropists, CEOs, celebrities, old friends—letting go on the dance floor after a night dedicated to something bigger than all of us.
As of this writing, the Tatler Ball has raised P15 million and counting—a testament to what happens when glamour is fused with generosity, when community gathers not just to celebrate but to uplift.
And that, to me, is what makes the Tatler Ball more significant each year.
