Inside the VMAN Ball: An After-Hours Affair

One year of VMAN Southeast Asia

The Rigodon Ballroom at the Peninsula Manila carried a glow on November 24, as if the building understood it was hosting a milestone moment for Southeast Asian men’s fashion and pop culture. Guests stepped onto the red carpet at seven in the evening, arriving in sleek tailoring and black tie style.

Early arrivals mingled over cocktails and canapés, enjoying the curated mobile bar and smoking lounge provided by Ploom and Nordic Spirit, whose presence would extend well into the night with a co-presented DJ set during the afterparty.

The VMAN Ball marked the first anniversary of VMAN Southeast Asia. Many of the region’s actors, creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures were already seated at their tables when host Michael Sager opened the program with an unhurried tone. He described the honorees as men who move with purpose and who influence their surroundings with ease.

Archie G. Carrasco, Chairman and CEO of AGC Power Holdings, Corp., opened the evening with his remarks. He reflected on the magazine’s earliest foundations, and on the ambitions that led to the idea of creating a Southeast Asian platform dedicated to men, their perspectives, and their voices.

He shared how the journey began with a conviction that the region deserved a publication that would champion its own talents, and how that conviction has continued to fuel the team behind VMAN Southeast Asia.

This was followed by a speech from Janine Recto, Vice President for Asia Media Brands, who addressed the room with warmth and appreciation. She expressed gratitude for the community gathered in the ballroom, acknowledging the creative energy that made the evening possible and the momentum guiding VMAN SEA into its next chapters.

Honoring the Men of the Moment

Dinner settled the ballroom into a brief calm. Conversations unfolded more slowly. Champagne flutes mingled with plated courses. As guests dined, many explored the What VMEN Want kit presented at their tables, a curated selection of essentials including grooming staples from CLEAR and style-ready products from Malbon.

After dinner, Patrick Ty, VMAN Southeast Asia’s Chief of Editorial Content, delivered a speech tracing the publication’s first year. He framed the evening as the culmination of ongoing work to highlight Southeast Asian voices and creative force, speaking about heritage and modernity as a conversation that gives the region its distinct clarity.

The sense of ceremony softened but did not disappear. It returned with intensity when the lights swept across the room to mark the Recognition of the Men of the Moment, the core of the evening.

Each honoree was introduced with a concise portrait of his contribution. Josh Kua, the violinist who pushes the boundaries of modern music. Josh Boutwood, the chef whose restaurant Helm carries two Michelin stars. Christophe Bariou, the entrepreneur whose work in sustainability reflects a growing regional consciousness.

Omar Daniel, the Indonesian actor whose cosmopolitan style has become his signature. Kyle Echarri, the Filipino actor and singer recognized for evolving menswear. Jericho Rosales, a long-standing figure in Philippine entertainment. Jefri Nichol, one of Indonesia’s most prominent actors.

Thiên Minh, the Vietnamese photographer, performer, and creative whose career spans several disciplines. Jacob Paolo Ang, the businessman reshaping the local automotive landscape.

After each introduction, a spotlight found the honoree at his table. Each man stood, raised a glass, and accepted a toast before walking to the stage. The trophies designed by Gio Prado stood on display, shaped like pyramids to mark VMAN Southeast Asia’s first year and its intention to build a lasting legacy.

A night that shifted gears

Michael returned for the closing remarks, announcing that the formal program had ended and the party was beginning in earnest. The transition felt natural. The DJ resumed, and the ballroom shifted into a more relaxed mode. Jackets loosened. Conversations grew louder. The dancefloor absorbed clusters of guests who were ready to let the night stretch beyond its schedule.

The VMAN Ball was designed as a marker of the publication’s first year, but the evening suggested something broader. It reflected a region in motion, aware of its cultural influence and ready to articulate it with greater clarity. As the last guests stepped out into the Manila night, the energy of the ballroom lingered. The celebration was over, but the sense of direction remained.

The VMAN Ball was made possible thanks to the support of Malbon, Ploom and Nordic Spirit, GRAB, and CLEAR.

Photography Gab Villareal, Grant Babia, and Ed Simon