AS THEY SAY, clothes make the man.
That is precisely how acclaimed actress Rio Locsin showed her way as she walked the red carpet of the 2025 ABS-CBN Ball at the Solaire North recently.
Rio, not known for being a fashion plate, has impressed a lot of spectators both online and in-person during and even after the star-studded affair.
Thanks to the sartorial wisdom of both Locsin and her designer, the iconic Albert Figueras.
SIMPLICITY
I’ve known Ojie (the actress’ pet name) for the longest time from her wardship under the late controversial talent manager Dr. Rey dela Cruz.
We may not see each other often but Rio always crosses my mind as the simplest woman in the complex world not only of showbiz but the entire universe.
Her simplicity was shown in her early stage as show girl.
If she was a complicated person, she would have stayed longer beneath the wings of the enigmatic dela Cruz who was known for his theatrics in handling stars.
SHE WALKED OUT
A very vivid scene off-screen: When Rio, Maria Theresa Rosario Nayve in real life, left unceremoniously from dela Cruz’s management, he, in my presence, was on cue looking out faraway and crying sans camera by the window at the second floor of his optometry clinic in Quiapo.
“Boy, iniwan na ako ni Ojie (She already left me),” Rey lamented disarming me right at that very moment.
Simply, Locsin walked out from his shady deals.
She just wouldn’t want to be part of Rey’s convoluted practice.
VERY RIO
Go figure Rio’s distancing from the maddening crowd until now.
It reflects her sense of dressing that compliments Albert Figueras’ taste for her personality.
More than that, the Pygmalion-Galatea team-up is perfect to convey the spring formal motif of the Kapamilya ball.
A pastel colored overall sprinkled, as if hand-painted, with patches of white flowers and green twigs make for a simple dress fit for her age and status in life.
Very Rio Locsin, an adorable yet unembellished name resounding a line from an OPM ballad “Langit na Naman” popularized by the band Hotdog in the 80s and covered in the millennium by singer Rico Blanco.
SIMPLE, GLAMOROUS
This is not the first time that Figueras clothed Rio.
This means that they click with each other since he did her gown at the GMA Network ball last year.
Always, the actress is gratified for Albert’s transforming her into a glamorously simple dresser.
In her thank you note in the digital space, she noted: “Maraming-maraming salamat po, Sir Albert Figueras sa kabutihan po ng loob mong ipagkatiwala sa akin ang kasuotan na likha ng mayaman mong imahinasyon (Thank you so very much for your kindness in trusting me to wear your creation from your rich imagination).”
UNASSUMING
Rio’s unassuming demeanor was again displayed amid the younger set of stars’ equally classy garbs and still, she stood out.
Janine Gutierrez in her leather-like, leather-textured Mark Bumgarner frock was striking but Locsin’s effortless wearing of her spring imagery could sit well side-by-side with Janine despite their age difference. Nadine Lustre in Rajo Laurel and Kathryn Bernardo in Anthony Ramirez, all beautifully created, although Rio can give them a run for their gowns
Rio’s simplicity is contagious.