When it comes to making a statement on the red carpet, you can always count on Sassa Gurl to do it her way. At the Preview Ball 2025, the content creator, actress, and now film producer slayed in a one-of-a-kind snail-inspired ball gown that got people talking.
Photo: Sassa Gurl/Instagram
In an interview with PUSH BETS host Gary Lastrilla, Sassa shared the deeper story behind her “suso couture.”
“Ang inspo ng outfit ko right now is suso, snail. Part po talaga ng Filipino culture natin… Lagi akong nakakakita niyan. And siyempre ang atake natin, homegrown di ba? So I want to pick something from the Filipino culture na very related sa ating mga Pilipino,” she explained.
Beyond the playful nod to biodiversity, Sassa turned the gown into a powerful symbol. For her, the snail reflects Filipino resilience: fragile yet able to rise up no matter the flood or disaster.
“Kasi number one, madalas tayong bahain, and tayong mga Pilipino, para tayong mga suso, very fragile tayo. But kahit man may baha at may sakuna, we rise up. At ganun din ang suso… they rise up sa flood, sa tubig, kahit saan man yan,” she said.
View this post on Instagram
And of course, in true Sassa Gurl fashion, she didn’t miss the chance to deliver a witty but bold political statement.
“Apart from being resilient, ang mga Pilipino is dapat kailangan tuloy lang tayo, palaban tayo, at siyempre, lagi dapat natin ipapaalala sa mga pulitiko na nagnanakaw na babangon tayo. At siyempre, sila ang next time na magiging suso dahil dudurugin natin sila!”
Sassa is more than just comedy
From viral TikTok skits to strutting the runway, Sassa has carved her own space in local entertainment. After producing the queer film Multwoh earlier this year, she’s now setting her sights on expanding her acting career beyond comedy.
“Well, game ko naman talaga ang comedy… Pero siyempre, since marami na ngayon mga type of films, gusto ko din maranasan na magkaroon ako ng ibang genre na puwede ko pasukin—like psychological,” she shared in a previous interview.
Making culture fashionable
By choosing to wear Filipiniana on one of fashion’s biggest nights, Sassa showed that style can be both fun and fearless, personal and political.
Whether she’s serving laughs, representation, or statement looks, one thing’s for sure—Sassa Gurl always knows how to keep everyone watching.
ALSO READ: Marian Rivera, Orm Kornnaphat Turn Heads at Glamorous Singapore Fashion Event
Do you think Sassa slayed in her snail outfit? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
