Kapuso stars pay homage to Sto. Niño; celebrate Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals

GMA Network, through its regional arm GMA Regional TV, kicked off the year in an energetic beat with its participation in three of the grandest and merriest festivals in the Visayas region—the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Sinulog in Cebu, and Dinagyang in Iloilo—all celebrated in reverence to the Holy Child Jesus.

Present to add vibrance to these festivities were the brightest stars from GMA's new drama offerings The Borrowed Wife, Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw, Rhodora X, and Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw – with Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes leading the Kapuso contingent in both the Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang, and Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, no less, for Sinulog.

With GMA Network being the strategic media partner, this year’s Ati-Atihan Festival, dubbed as the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals,” featured electrifying performances from Dingdong together with Rhodora X’s Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, and Mark Anthony Fernandez during a Kapuso Night held at the jam-packed Pastrana Park last January 14. The show left around 15,000 supporters in awe of the Kapuso stars’ heartwarming performances.

Of the many times he’s been to Aklan, Dingdong opened up on why he really looked forward to joining this year’s Ati-Atihan: “Iba ngayon kasi I’m here for the Ati-Atihan Festival, which I think is the best reason to be here. It’s something different for me kasi alam ko na sa kabila ng mga nangyari (natural calamities), we also have to celebrate life. And itong Ati-Atihan Festival na ito is one of the ways kung paano natin maipapakita ‘yung uniqueness ng province. That’s why I am grateful na nakasama ako dito.”

The Kapuso Night was followed by the Pagdayaw kay Señor Sto. Niño “Sinaot sa Calle” Float Parade on January 15 featuring Kapuso stars Isabelle Daza, Thea Tolentino, and Andrea Torres who were escorted by the Lakan It Kalibo 2014 winners. Joining them were Jeric Gonzales, JC Tiuseco, and Pancho Magno, who, in turn, ushered the Mutya It Kalibo winners during said parade.

At 7pm of the same day, a sizzling Kapuso Hala Bira Dance Showdown ensued at Magsaysay Park with Julian Trono as guest judge. And on January 19, the Network aired the live coverage of the pilgrims’ mass at the Kalibo Cathedral titled “Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo Pilgrims’ Mass” in GMA Regional TV Stations with a live streaming via GMA News Online.

Meanwhile in the Queen City of the South, it was an equally exceptional batch of Kapuso stars who joined Sinulog—Cebu’s annual festivity that celebrates the conversion of early Cebuanos to Catholicism.

Successful back-to-back Kapuso Mall Shows took place on January 17 featuring the lovely pair of Kristoffer Martin and Kim Rodriguez from Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw and The Borrowed Wife’s Pauleen Luna, TJ Trinidad, Rafael Rosell, and Camille Prats at the Gaisano Grand Fiesta Mall Tabunok and at The Terraces of Ayala Center.

On January 18, GMA’s primetime queen Marian Rivera fulfilled her promise to the Cebuanos when she came back to celebrate with them once more in another back-to-back Kapuso Mall Show together with her Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw leading man Alden. Joining them were Jennylyn, Mark, Yasmien, and Mark Anthony in both SM City Cebu and Gaisano Island Mall Mactan shows.

Apart from celebrating with the Cebuanos, Marian shared another reason for coming to the Sinulog Festival, “Iba pala ang mararamdaman mo kapag ‘yung nakikita mo lang sa TV kaysa ‘yung nakikita mo nang personal ‘yung mga gusto mong tulungan.” Along with GMA Network’s AVP/Head for RTV-IMS Oliver Victor Amoroso, GMA TV Central and Eastern Visayas Station Manager Ann Marie Tan, and Bantayan Island Association of Hotels, Resorts, Bars, and Restaurants Inc. President Allan Monreal, Marian signed a memorandum of agreement for the Kapuso Adopt-A-Bangka Project, a media campaign that intends to help provide long term livelihood opportunities to those affected by super typhoon Yolanda in Northern Cebu by rehabilitating and rebuilding their bangka through the help of various sponsors.

The next day, January 19, Marian and Alden boarded the Kapuso float that toured the major streets of Cebu City for the Grand Sinulog Parade. That afternoon, dancing to the beat of Sinulog’s Pit Senyor were Jennylyn, Mark, and Yasmien.

Not to be outdone was the Network’s participation in the recently-concluded Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo where thousands of raving fans welcomed Jennylyn, Mark, and Yasmien together with Camille, TJ, and Rafael, and Primetime King Dingdong Dantes once more.

Jen, whose roots trace from Cebu and Leyte, was thrilled to celebrate the Dinagyang where a packed Robinson’s Iloilo greeted her and co-stars Mark and Yasmien on January 24. It all felt like a reunion a decade after all three won the maiden season of GMA’s biggest reality star-search competition then, StarStruck.

And when Dingdong’s number came up, everyone was on their toes screaming their hearts out as the actor sang Hinahanap-hanap Kita. Prior to the mall show, Dingdong, who was able to attend the Dinagyang Festival for years now and having roots from Iloilo, participated in an outreach activity benefiting the students of Yusay Memorial Elementary School.

On January 25, Camille, TJ, and Rafael joined the vibrant Kasadyahan parade of the Ilonggos. As they toured the major streets of the city, the stars enjoyed mingling with their fans, shaking their hands, taking photos and selfies with them, with Camille and Rafael even dancing Aling Maliit Ryzza Mae Dizon’s “Cha-Cha” for their fans.

The annual Ati Tribe Competition, the biggest contest of the festival, came the next day, with Adarna lead actor Geoff Eigenmann and actress-host Isabelle Daza hosting the affair. At 6PM that day, SM City Iloilo witnessed Miss Saigon-bound Rachelle Ann Go’s singing prowess in a Kapuso Mall Show she starred in with Geoff.

Highlights of these fun and exciting scenes in the Networks’ participation in the Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals will be seen in Let's Fiesta TV Special, which airs on February 2, and February 9 respectively, via the Network’s regional stations in Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Dagupan, Ilocos, GenSan, Bacolod, and CDO.