GMA Gala 2024 sidelights: Did Alden pay for extension of after-party? Sparkle rep speaks up

Alden Richards (leftmost) offers to pay for the extension of after-party at the grand ballroom, but a Sparkle representative clarifies he didn’t have to since GMA paid for it; Kylie Padilla (in flowing-water-inspired gown) no qualms about going barefoot; Vice Ganda (in black shiny gown) and Bea Alonzo (rightmost) keep holding hands after being reunited at the party. 
PHOTO/S: PAU GUEVERRA / RACHELLE SIAZON (KYLIE PADILLA)

#PEPAtGMAGala2024

The GMA Gala 2024 was not just a night of glitz and glamour, but it was also filled with fun and unexpected moments.

CONG AND VIY CORTEZ FAN MOMENT

Before the program started, the air was already frenzied with excitement as the best and brightest stars in the country walked the red carpet on the first floor of Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

The Summit Media booth was stationed at the end of the red-carpet area, right after the GMA and Sparkle booths.

At the time when Viy Cortez and her husband Cong Velasquez, also known as Cong TV, were being interviewed at the Summit Media booth, Alden Richards happened to be posing for photo-ops at the Sparkle booth.

Viy couldn’t help but get distracted as she spotted Alden looking dapper in his black suit.

She gushed at Cong to confirm if it was really Alden.

Explaining how it’s her and Cong’s first GMA Gala, she told this author that she was stunned that Alden looked so debonair and leaner in person.

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She added that it’s also her first time to see so many big stars all at the same venue.

ALDEN RICHARDS BALLROOM EXTENSION

Alden, for his part, happily accommodated those who wanted to take photos with him.

He was in high spirits as he engaged with everyone who caught his attention.

The A-lister Kapuso actor was also seen enjoying the night away with Pulang Araw leading lady Sanya Lopez.

Alden was overjoyed to see his fellow Kapuso stars having such a great time at the after-party that he even requested an extension for a few more hours, according to a trusted source.

He even offered to cover the cost of the extended rental of the venue.

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Winwyn Marquez Bag Raid at the #GMAGala2024 #PEPatGMAgala2024

A representative from Sparkle GMA Artist Center clarified that while Alden did express his willingness to pay, it was GMA-7 that covered the cost.

Roche Tuazon, head of Sparkle events, PR, and digital, spoke to PEP stating that GMA-7 paid for the extension.

Around 2:30 A.M., Tuazon herself spoke with the hotel management to request an extension up to 3 A.M. She emphasized that although Alden offered to pay for the extended hours, Sparkle management actually footed the bill.

KYLIE PADILLA GOES BAREFOOT AFTER THE PROGRAM

Another adorable incident was when Kylie Padilla was spotted barefooted after the program.

@pepalerts Kylie Padilla at GMA Gala 2024 #PEPatGMAGala2024 #GMAGala2024 #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound – PEP.ph

As soon as she came out to the lobby of the grand ballroom, Kylie unselfconsciously ditched her towering high heels and even jumped several times to ease her aching feet.

She was soon spotted by several people, who grabbed the chance to ask photo-ops for her since the program was already over.

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If she was exhausted after hours of moving around in her high heels, she didn’t let it show as she readily said yes to more photo-ops and kept smiling the whole time.

It was easy to see that she really enjoyed the night.

@pepalerts LOOK: After hours of standing on high heels, Kylie Padilla removed them when she went outside the grand ballroom after the program. She happily accommodated photo-ops despite being barefooted. #PEPatGMAGala2024 #GMAGala2024 #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound – PEP.ph

HERLENE UNFAZED AFTER TRIPPING ON STAGE

That moment when Herlene Budol fell flat on stage was an unexpected scene stealer.

It happened during the runway show segment where Kapuso stars were asked to strut their stuff on stage.

Wearing a long gown with a wired hem, it seemed like Herlene accidentally tripped on it and fell flat on her face.

Barbie Forteza, who was channeling a princess vibe in her ball gown, forgot all about being prim and proper as she ran to Herlene’s side to help her up.

Herlene, for her part, was undaunted by the incident as she stood up and finished her walk on the makeshift runway.

After the program, Herlene was even seen partying hard, proving that she didn’t let the incident dampen her jolly mood.

@pepalerts Cheers and claps for Harlene Budol after second attempt at runway. She fell twice before this video. #PEPatGMAGala2024 #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound – PEP.ph

VICE GANDA AND BEA ALONZO BESTIE MOMENT

It looked like Vice Ganda and Bea Alonzo missed each other.

They met while the party was in full swing, and the two even made a little happy dance, with Vice twirling Bea around.

At the end of the program, they were seen holding hands while walking together on stage for the group photo-op with Kapuso stars.

@pepalerts Look at how Vice Ganda and Bea Alonzo held hands as they came up on stage for the GMA Gala 2024 group photo. #PEPatGMAGala2024 #GMAGala2024 #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH ? original sound – PEP.ph

They were still holding hands when they left the party and came out of the ballroom.

@pepalerts Vice Ganda & Bea Alonzo #PEPatGMAGala2024 #GMAGala2024 #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound – PEP.ph

A former homegrown star of ABS-CBN for two decades, Bea transferred to GMA-7 in July 2021. She is headlining the ongoing Kapuso primetime series Widows’ War.

Vice, for her part, has made new friends in GMA-7 since the Kapamilya noontime show It’s Showtime started airing on the Kapuso network in July 2023.

But it was certainly a happy reunion for two friends who haven’t been seen in public together for quite some time.

It was actually Vice who introduced Dominic Roque to Bea the very first time the two met in 2016. Dominic and Bea got engaged in 2023, but called it quits in January 2024.