The entertainment awards season is in full swing. The Emmy's, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, The Actors Award, and, of course, the Oscars. So what makes an outstanding awards gala unforgettable? Is it the stage design? The program flow? The performances that keep the crowd on their feet? The attendees, maybe?

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We sat down with two of the creative minds behind the Manulife Champions Gala 2025 at The Cove in Okada. The night celebrated top agents of Manulife Philippines, honoring their achievements while reinforcing the brand’s mission of making lives better.

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LIVE PH Creative Directors Denis Claves (Strategy and Content) and Zeus Zulueta (Arts and Design) shared what goes into creating a differentiated experience that makes the difference. Read an excerpt of our conversation below.

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Every gala or event starts with a theme. What makes one truly memorable?

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Denis Claves: A good theme isn’t just decorative. It should carry meaning. For the Manulife Champions Gala 2025, our team drew inspiration from the South Sea Pearl Philippines, which has long symbolized our country’s beauty, rarity, and resilience.

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That idea connected naturally to the agents we were celebrating. In a way, they’re like pearls. Their achievements come from patience, dedication, and time. When a theme has that emotional connection, it guides everything else. The stage, the visuals, even the storytelling moments in the program.

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Zeus, what about you? What should the tangible elements like the stage do during an awards night aside from the obvious?

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Zeus Zulueta: The stage is the emotional center of the event. When someone walks up to receive an award, that moment should feel larger than life for them because it’s their special moment.

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Like for Manulife’s Champions Gala, we worked with pearl-inspired visuals that felt luminous and elegant. Soft curves, pearly finishes, and a sense of radiance helped mirror the idea of excellence shining through.

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Aesthetics aside, every element must uplift the winners. Light cues, screen visuals, and the physical award should support the moment when someone hears their name called.

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Photo walls are standard at events. What separates a good one from a forgettable one?

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Zeus: If the photo wall feels like a corporate backdrop, people will treat it that way. But if it feels immersive, people line up for photos. For this gala, the pearl inspiration flowed into the photo experiences. Lighting, textures, and reflective elements helped guests feel like they were stepping into the story of the event. For me, a good photo wall becomes part of the memory of the night. It also extends the event beyond the venue once people start sharing their photos.

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Denis, awards shows can sometimes feel dragging, even boring, especially for the spectators. How should a program engage audiences throughout the night?

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Denis: It’s all about rhythm. An awards program should move like a story. Celebrate the achievements, yes, then shift the energy. Create a disruption. That might mean a performance, a video, or a host interaction. It keeps the audience present and curious instead of waiting for the next category.

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Keep them guessing, right? Okay, final question. For you, what is the most important element of an awards gala?

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Denis: For me, it’s the people being honored. Everything else supports that.

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Zeus: Denis took the words right out of my mouth. Design, music, visuals, staging. These are tools. The real goal is to make the entire audience feel like winners.

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A great awards night is an experience where excellence shines, stories resonate, and people leave feeling proud of the journey they are part of. For a brand like Manulife Philippines, that recognition matters. These agents help families secure a future, and the gala is a way of celebrating the impact of their work.

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