Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal draw in huge crowds in Canada

GMA International - the business unit that manages the operations and distribution of the international channels of leading Filipino broadcast company GMA Network - was at the heart of two successful events commemorating the distinctive traits of the Filipino culture in Canada.   Homegrown Kapuso artists Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal, products of the phenomenal reality-based artista search Starstruck, were warmly received by our kababayans, and some even came from far-flung places to simply watch and enjoy the shows.   As a true testament to their success, the organizers of Pista Sa Nayon in Montreal and the 2^nd Vancouver Original Pinoy Music Festival reported the biggest numbers of attendees in the history of these two events.   At the Pista Sa Nayon held last July 14, the meet and greet organized for Aljur and Kris drew in an estimated 5,000 eager supporters that filled the jampacked venue. The crowd at the MacKenzie-King Park on Côte-Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal also welcomed Aljur and Kris with open arms and showed their appreciation by enduring the scorching heat reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius to see them perform and ask for their autographs.   Meanwhile, the OPM Festival in Vancouver that took place last July 21 was definitely twice the fun, talent and reach from its humble introduction to the Filipino community in Greater Vancouver last year. Roughly 4,500 people attended the event with some spectators travelling from as far as Seattle, Washington just to support the show.   The meet and greet with Aljur and Kris was equally successful as both actors gracefully answered questions regarding the importance of keeping original Filipino music alive in the hearts and minds of Filipinos wherever they are around the globe. The duo performed before an energetic crowd that already expressed their excitement for their upcoming show Prinsesa ng Masa.   Aljur shares that he didn’t expect this kind of reaction from their mass of supporters in Canada. “Their reception was truly heartwarming and very unexpected. We really felt their support and we are truly grateful.”    Kris shares the same sentiment and sends her sincerest thanks to all their fans in Canada. “I was moved by their energy and affection. These events have brought us together and I feel very fortunate to have supporters like them,” she enthuses.   Local talents armed with their original compositions also served as a main attraction in the day-long festivity.   “We couldn’t be happier with the turnout of both events and we congratulate the organizers of Pista Sa Nayon and the OPM Festival in Vancouver for their success,” shared GMA Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “Being their exclusive media partner, it makes us very happy and proud to assume a vital role in propagating the message that we, Filipinos, are creative, talented and simply one-of-a-kind.”   The highlights of these events will be aired on GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of GMA Network. For more details, visit the GMA International website www.gmanetwork.com/international, Facebook pages www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV, www.facebook.com/GMALifeTV, and, www.facebook.com/GMANewsInternational, or Twitter pages @GMAPinoyTV,@GMA_LifeTV and @GMANewsTVIntl. -- GMANetwork.com