Sun.Star: Kapuso stars get warm welcome in Davao

The two-day Kadayawan celebration of the Kapuso Network was a big success if you have to base it on the huge crowd that flocked NCCC Mall of Davao's Exhibition Center on Friday and Saturday. GMA Network Inc. brought in their biggest stars and news and public affairs personalities to celebrate the Festival of Festivals with Dabawenyos. The biggest hit, of course, was the Pinay Marimar herself, the enchanting Marian Rivera, who was accompanied by Dingdong Dantes, her love interest in GMA's top-rating primetime show. Marian, a virtual unknown in Davao City before she was starred in Marimar, has indeed charmed Dabawenyos with her beauty and innocence. "Ganyan naman talaga si Marimar (Marimar is like that), sexy but still looks so innocent," she told Sun.Star Davao. She was so grateful with the warm welcome extended by Dabawenyos to her and the other cast of Marimar. "Hindi ko akalain ganun kainit ang pagtanggap sa akin ditto (I did not expect the warm welcome bestowed me here)," she said. With Marimar soaring in the ratings game, beating all primetime shows on television, Marian is indeed GMA's biggest star Friday. Fans screamed and were awed every time their Kapuso idols came out on stage to perform and entertain them. They swoon as they were given a chance to photograph and posed with their favorite stars. Once again, traffic on McArthur Highway in Matina had to stop for at least 30 minutes as drivers and passengers, as well, watched on a big screen set up in front of the mall the "happenings" at the 4th level of the mall where the Kapuso celebration was going on. Booths were set up, where fans, as well as NCCC Mall shoppers, had the chance to avail of services, like "libreng gupit," "libereng Kodakan" and free consultations. Booth visitors also took home unique collectors' items and exciting prizes. Thousands of job applicants also participated in the Kapuso Jobs Fair, which was conducted in coordination with the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment. Some 46 local and overseas employers joined in the fair offering around 2,000 jobs. The day of fun and one-of-a-kind entertainment on August 17 shifted to high gear with the performances of Kapuso stars lead by GMA's drama prince Dennis Trillo. Dennis promoted his latest afternoon soap over GMA-7, the television remake of Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap, along with his co-stars, the pretty and charming Nadine Samonte and the the pride of Davao, the sexy Iwa Moto. In an interview at the sideline of the Kapuso Day, Dennis was so proud with his co-stars in his new soap. "Nadine and Iwa are very professional. Wala kaming naging problema sa set and we are doing everything para mas lalong mapaganda ang show," he said. In Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap, Dennis got the role played by Christopher del Leon in its movie version, Nadine plays that of Hilda Koronel, and Iwa, the kontrabida role played by Amy Austria. GMA's KiliTV stars Keempee de Leon, sexy Ehra Madrigal and Pauleen Luna also joined the Friday Kapuso Day. Keempee was just surprised to hear fans calling him Harold, the gay character he played in the defunct GMA show Bahay Mo Ba 'To and in the comedy-reality show Kung Ako Ikaw. Ehra is a Nuts Entertainment regular, while Pauleen is one of Eat Bulaga's funny girls and host. Manilyn Reynes, one of the hosts of Moms on QTV, also performed that day to the delight of her fans. Manilyn, who plays Corazon in GMA's top-rating primetime show, the Pinoy version of Marimar, said she will be celebrating her 25h year in the entertainment business in October. "We are coming out with something na naiiba on my 25th year in showbiz. But I can't tell you pa what will it be," she said. StarStruck-3 finalist Chuck Allie, who hails from Davao City, was also part of the Kapuso delegation who rocked the city that same day. It was a homecoming of sorts for Chuck, one of StarStruck Year 3's Final Six. The battle of the bands capped Friday's celebration, with Davao's pride 1017, Sidecrash, Ragged Band and Eric Gancio Band. The heavy dose of fun and entertainment continued the following day with GMA News personalities Susan Enriquez and the wacky Love Añover joining the celebration. Susan is host of "Kay Susan Tayo" while Love is the acknowledged “queen of the road," the funny lady behind the Metro Manila traffic updates and the host of GMA's Sunday late-morning show Lovely Day. Nuts Entertainment's Cookie (Pekto) and Belli Flori (John Feir) joined the fun as they hosted Bingo games and Videoke contest. Lucky contestants brought home exciting prizes and tons of laughter as well. - Sun.Star