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A specific kind of electricity fills a room when a culture-shifting force finally lands on home soil. That energy was palpable at the MGBx Convention Center within the Marriott Grand Ballroom, where a curated collective of style, culture, and sports icons gathered for a historic milestone: the official arrival of GQ Philippines. As Archie Carrasco, Chairman and CEO of AGC Power Holdings Corp, aptly put it, it was the moment the Philippines came to GQ—and, by extension, the world.
The evening, seamlessly hosted by actor and entrepreneur Matteo Guidicelli, kicked off with a black carpet. Showbiz heavyweights Richard Gutierrez, Nadine Lustre, Anne Curtis-Smith, Maja Salvador, Barbie Imperial, and Robbie Jaworski brought an undeniable level of homegrown glamour to the custom-built vignettes.
The atmosphere shifted from moody cocktail intimacy to pure, high-wattage stardom the moment Pia Wurtzbach, Bea Millan-Windorski, Michelle Dee, Chelsea Manalo, and Bianca Gonzalez took their places at the dinner tables, commanding the room.
An exquisite menu was created for the evening by Helm’s Chef Josh Boutwood and Executive Chef and Director of Culinary at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Chef Meik Brammer. It was a clever four-course take on a traditional surf and turf.
Near the end of the meal, MEGA Global Group Inc. Chief Content Officer Bea Valdes took the stage to lift the curtain on a closely guarded industry secret, formally introducing the man steering the ship: GQ Philippines Editor-in-Chief, Danyl Geneciran.
Geneciran didn’t waste time delivering the night’s definitive mic-drop moment, unveiling the maiden issue’s powerhouse trio of cover stars: NBA star Jordan Clarkson, showbiz favorite Darren Criss, and cultural ambassador Erwan Heussaff. Clarkson, unable to attend the event due to the upcoming NBA season, sent a heartfelt video message from across the globe. Meanwhile, Criss and Heussaff were present at the launch and raised their glasses in celebration of the moment.
GQ Philippines also reserved a seat for the names featured in the maiden issue, such as bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno, Kendrick Cay and CP Garcia of Construction Layers, men’s grooming tastemaker Gum Cruz, athletes Mauro Lumba and Anton Medalla, and many more whose wonderful stories helped define the modern FilipinoFilipinoThe national language of the Philippines, widely used for communication, education, media, and culture.Go to Filipino Glossary man.
VP of Strategic Content Initiatives Amy Mangino at Condé Nast International, along with Senior Media Licensing Managers Andrea Pinza and Alison Pascual, all flew in from London to support the GQ Philippines team.
By the time the lights dimmed and guests eagerly claimed their personal copies of the inaugural issue, a collective realization settled over the ballroom: GQ Philippines hasn’t just arrived. It has officially set the new standard for the modern Filipino man.
See the full gallery of the personalities who attended the GQ Philippines grand launch below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Actor and entrepreneur Matteo Guidicelli hosted the dinner at the Marriott Grand Ballroom inside the MGBx Convention Center, opening the night with a black carpet before Filipino icons in showbiz, sports, and culture arrived.
GQ Philippines’ maiden issue features NBA player Jordan Clarkson, actor Darren Criss, and cultural ambassador Erwan Heussaff. Editor-in-Chief Danyl Geneciran unveiled the trio; Criss and Heussaff attended in person, while Clarkson sent a video message.
The dinner took place at the Marriott Grand Ballroom inside the MGBx Convention Center. Chef Josh Boutwood and Manila Marriott’s Chef Meik Brammer created a four-course surf-and-turf menu for guests.
Attendees included Richard Gutierrez, Nadine Lustre, Anne Curtis-Smith, Maja Salvador, Barbie Imperial, Pia Wurtzbach, Michelle Dee, and Bianca Gonzalez, spanning showbiz, pageantry, and sports figures at the celebration.
MEGA Global Group Inc. Chief Content Officer Bea Valdes introduced Danyl Geneciran as Editor-in-Chief. Geneciran then unveiled the maiden issue’s three cover stars, marking the magazine’s official Philippine arrival.
