Herlene Budol grabs her chance to kiss and hug Alden Richards at the GMA Gala 2024
![Herlene Budol grabs her chance to kiss and hug Alden Richards at the GMA Gala 2024](https://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2024/07/2_-_composite(287)_2024_07_24_09_04_53.jpg)
Herlene Nicole “Hipon Girl” Budol was one lucky girl at the GMA Gala!
During the night’s party, the comedienne and beauty queen was able to plant a kiss on Alden Richards’ cheek and hug him, a moment she commemorated through an Instagram Reel.
“Ito, naka-video na ‘to. Eto si Kuya Alden. Magpapaalam ako, iki-kiss ko na siya,” Herlene said.
Alden was so game and accepted Herlene’s kiss with a smile.
“Pwedeng pwede na,” he said.
Herlene said, “Ang pogi!”
As Alden hugged Herlene, he could be heard telling her, “Good job.”
Herlene also posted a short clip of her runway walk during the party, right before her accidental fall.
“Okay lang madapa ako nang maraming beses, basta sa ‘yo ako babagsak,” Herlene said in her video.
“Panalo pa din,” she added in her caption.
Despite her fall, Herlene had a positive reaction. She said on X, “Sa buhay, kapag nadapa ka, bumangon ka.” She also thanked Barbie Forteza for helping her on stage.
Herlene walked the GMA Gala 2024 red carpet in a Leo Almodal creation called the "Birth of Venus."
It's inspired by a Sandro Botticelli painting, which "depicts the goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth when she had emerged from the sea fully-grown," Herlene said on Instagram.
Now in its third year, the GMA Gala is a fundraiser for the Kapuso Foundation, which will benefit various charitable organizations.
It gathered about 1,000 guests, including showbiz celebrities, news personalities, beauty queens, internet stars, politicians — and a few surprise guests — in their black, white, and sparkly best.
Herlene is one of the hosts of “TiktoClock” and also stars in “Black Rider.”
—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News