Kapuso stars banner biggest festivals in January
Trust GMA Network to kick off the year in the most festive way possible, making sure Kapuso fans in Aklan, Cebu, and Iloilo have a memorable celebration of three of the country’s major fiestas: Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, and Dinagyang Festivals.
In a month-long festivities that aim to honor the Holy Infant Jesus or Sto. Nino, Kapuso fans were treated to a series of Kapuso Mall Shows featuring the casts of Meant To Be, Ika-6 Na Utos, and Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa.
The Kapuso stars could not help but be overwhelmed by the warm reception they received from their fans.
“We did not expect such warm welcome from our Kapusong Cebuano and Ilonggo since every year, we have Kapuso artists who go to Cebu and Iloilo to celebrate the Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals,” admits Meant To Be’s Barbie Forteza. “We came from our taping (in Manila) but when we heard them shouting and saw how happy they were, we forgot about how tired we were.”
Her co-star Ken Chan, who is also not new to regional malls shows, was taken by surprise upon seeing the jam-packed Robinsons Place Iloilo last Jan. 21. “It was really fun performing because you can hear the people shouting and cheering for you,” he shares. The crowd estimate during their Iloilo show was at 8,000.
Barbie and Ken, together with their co-stars Jak Roberto, Ivan Dorschner, Addy Raj, and Mika dela Cruz were also in Cebu for the Sinulog Festival last Jan. 14 and 15. They held back-to-back mall shows in Gaisano Capital Island Mall Mactan and SM City Cebu and even joined the Grand Sinulog Parade together with the stars of Destined To Be Yours Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza; and My Love From The Star’s Jennylyn Mercado and Gil Cuerva. Around 1.5 million people gathered during the parade while each mall show was attended by thousands of mall-goers.
“It was Meant To Be’s second time in Cebu and we won’t get tired promoting there,” tells Jak. Asked about his first Dinagyang experience as an actor, Jak says he could not believe it when he found out that they were able to fill the mall the way other bigger stars usually did.
Meanwhile, new Kapuso heartthrob Ivan says he greatly appreciates meeting their fans in person. “Since we are always on the set of our show, we don’t usually feel the response of the viewers about us and the show. It’s really different in real life,” he adds.
The Sinulog and Dinagyang experience is something new to Addy. “This was the first time that I did a festival in the Philippines. And to be honest, I’ve never seen so many people in one place in my whole life. It was surely overwhelming.”
Actress Sunshine Dizon agrees that this year’s Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals were one for the book. “It was a very memorable experience,” says the star of the hit-rating afternoon teleserye Ika-6 Na Utos. Sunshine was joined by Gabby Concepcion in their Kapuso Mall Shows in Cebu and Iloilo last Jan 14 and Jan. 22, respectively. Their co-star, Ryza Cenon, also celebrated with them during the Sinulog Festival.
Meanwhile, the cast of the Afternoon Prime series Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa made sure they did not miss the fun. In fact, they went to all three festivals.
Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose pumped up the energy of Kapuso fans who went to Pastrana Park to watch the Ati-Atihan Festival Kapuso Fiesta last Jan. 10. She was joined by her co-star Martin del Rosario.
Also gracing this year’s Ati-Atihan is Kapuso singer James Wright who went to Aklan last Jan. 6 for the Mutya It Kalibo Coronation Night.
Julie and Martin were joined by Benjamin Alves and LJ Reyes last January 13 in The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu for the Sinulog Festival.
Says Julie of the Kapusong Aklanons, Cebuanos, and Ilonggos: “We are very thankful for the warm reception we got from them. It is very touching that they continue to support all GMA shows. We hope that they support our new teleserye as well.”
Julie and Martin were also in Iloilo for a Kapuso Mall Show last January 20 at Robinsons Place Jaro.
“We cannot express how grateful we are to our Kapusong Aklanon, Cebuano, and Ilonggo for the resounding success of our series of Kapuso Mall Shows this year in celebration of the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, and Dinagyang Festivals,” says Oliver Amoroso, Officer-in-Charge of GMA’s Regional TV Department. “It is our privilege to bring to them GMA’s biggest shows and brightest stars as a way of thanking them for keeping the Kapuso Network number one nationwide.”
The rain did not stop the Aklanons from supporting Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa’s Julie Anne San Jose and Martin del Rosario during the Ati-Atihan Festival’s Kapuso Fiesta. (photo from GMA Regional TV IG account)
Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, stars of the much-awaited Telebabad series Destined To Be Yours during the Sinulog Grand parade.
Gil Cuerva and Jennylyn Mercado, stars of My love From The Star, on board the Kapuso Float during the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards pose with their fans.
Meant To Be stars (from left) Ken Chan, Jak Roberto, Addy Raj, Mika dela Cruz, and Ivan Dorschner on board the Kapuso Float.
Ika-6 Na Utos’ Ryza Cenon, Gabby Concepcion, and Sunshine Dizon pose with the crowd after their Kapuso Mall Show in celebration of Sinulog Festival.
The cast of Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa--Benjamin Alves, Julie Anne San Jose, LJ Reyes, and Martin del Rosario after their successful show in Cebu.
Gabby Concepcion and Sunshine Dizon pose with the crowd after their successful Kapuso Mall Show in SM City Iloilo.
Julie Anne San Jose and Martin del Rosario after their Kapuso Mall Show in Iloilo. (photo from GMA Regional TV IG account)
Overwhelmed by Ilonggos’ love. The cast of Meant To Be after their successful Kapuso Mall Show in Iloilo.
To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.