Beauty queens and the stars of the Premier Volleyball League were among the muses for the opening of the PBA’s 50th season on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ahtisa Manalo, who will represent the country in this year’s Miss Universe, served as muse of Magnolia during the traditional ‘palabas’ that drew some famous names from the entertainment industry. Last year’s Miss Universe bet Chelsea Manalo represented Meralco while actress Sue Ramirez was back for the same duty, this time for crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra.
Ramirez previously was the muse of TNT in the 2022 opener at the same venue.
PVL On Tour and Invitational champion PLDT had Mika Reyes, Jessy de Leon, Majoy Baron, Savi Davidson and Kianna Dy on hand for PBA, even as Chery Tiggo standout Pauline Gaston was the muse of Phoenix. Other participants were Miss Universe Philippines contestants Chelsea Fernandez for Blackwater and Eloisa Jaud for Terrafirma, reigning Miss International Philippines Myrna Esguerra and Mutya ng Kapampangan 2023 Salma Emam for Converge.
NLEX had beauty queen and actress Pearl Gonzales, Rain or Shine tapped content creator Pattie Paraiso and defending Philippine Cup titleholder San Miguel Beer was joined by Caroline Eyer.
Among the artists who entertained the crowd were Randy Santiago, Jett Pangan, Mitoy and Mike Hanopol while Jamie Lim and Almira Teng hosted the ceremonial rites.
Lim, daughter of the late great Samboy Lim, was San Miguel’s muse in last year’s opening ceremonies.