THE golden age of Hijos de Davao brought back the glamour in the gala. Guests were appropriately dressed for the formal affair, and I mean everyone else in the ballroom beyond the four corners of the dance floor where the ladies in Terno and gentlemen in Barong Tagalog danced the traditional Rigodon de Honor.

It was a pleasant to see the elegance carried through in this year's gathering. The Ternos were geared towards simplicity sans Sto. Niño adaptation (thank God!), but a few can work on a better fitting.

The lookers in their evening dresses were Kay Gempesaw, Malouchi Gahol, Rose Alcantara, Marie Tionko, Marga Montemayor, Marissa Tionko, Rochelle del Rosario and Claudine Sasin, and even the short-length dresses looked elegant enough for the ball on Pat Montemayor and Mary Campos, so was Inday del Rosario's twist on the tuxedo.

Just like in the past when men were mindful of how a well-designed Barong fits, a few hijos clearly showed they are shifting back to this practice -- the father and son tandem of Butchoy and Iñigo Taojo, the seasoned gent Karlo Nograles, and as expected, Michael Dakudao. The coat and tie is getting to be a popular alternative for men as well.

Even the younger set came aptly garbed for their age. This may just lead to the resurgence of a strictly formal affair for the Hijos de Davao in the future with these lads and lasses dressing up with propriety, and style, on this era. Cousins Chloe and Abi Gempesaw, Anne Marie Gahol, Marga Antonio and Iago del Rosario may just set this trend.

Over all it was an elegant affair. Here are the looks of those who stood out from the ballroom-filled of good-looking Dabawenyos.

Who else made the list?

Visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and find out.