A memorable Kapuso Christmas concert

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu leg of GMA 7’s nationwide Christmas series of mall shows was as good as advertised. Tagged as a concert of sorts, indeed, we felt like being in one from our front row seat at SM City Cebu’s North Covered Parking Area.

As the network’s way of giving back for the loyal support of its Cebuano viewers, it mounted the "Jammin’ sa KapuSONG Pasko" event last December 10 and flew in a variety of homegrown stars who ably rendered their respective talents, be it singing, dancing or charming a crowd. GMA was also generous to let their visiting celebrities sit down with the press for interviews at a nearby restaurant at the SM Northwing prior to their performances, despite the artists scrambling for time as they had to prep for the show and fly out immediately right after.

The festivities began with a heartwarming Christmas chorale presentation by the Pardo Elementary School choir, and these kids affirmed why they were named last year’s champion in the "Kapuso sa Pasko" choir competition held among public elementary schools in Cebu City.

After the group’s appetizer was the much-awaited appearance of the Kapuso personalities. First to emerge from one of the giant Christmas gift boxes placed on stage was pioneer male Starstruck winner Mark Herras, whose current haircut and stubble made some comment how he was looking a lot these days like Hollywood pop singer Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers band --- more so when the actor has his shades on and his huge headphones strapped around his neck.

His good looks aside, Mark again proved why he deserved to be christened "Ultimate Bad Boy of the Dance Floor" while competing for GMA’s first edition of its highly-successful reality-based talent search back in 2003. Fans shrieked when the 25-year-old grooved to the Justin Bieber hit "Somebody to Love" and then shrieked some more the moment he began to "Teach Me How to Dougie." Mark put his own sexy spin to the chart-topping Dougie dance hit recorded by American hip-hop group Cali Swag District. Even his back-up dancers could not keep up with Mark’s smooth moves and energy.

The momentum continued with the female singing triumvirate, otherwise known as La Diva, taking the stage next. Made up of two champions and one runner-up from the network’s defunct "Pinoy Pop Superstar" singing contest namely Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia, the unquestionably talented trio wowed the audience with their renditions of well-loved tunes such as those of British sensation Adele’s "Rolling In The Deep", Rihanna’s "California King Bed" and their followers' hands-down favorite, the theme song of the hit Korean epic drama "Queen Seon Dok" titled "Angels Brought Me Here" sang in typical hair-raising La Diva fashion.

As for latest developments from the La Diva camp, the girls were invited last October to guest on three shows in Indonesia. Apparently, our neighboring Asian country liked what they heard, and so the girls are reportedly hitting the studio soon to record an Indonesian album. From "Party Pilipinas" mainstays, these divas are set to conquer Asia!

It was the males’ turn to ogle when Solenn Heusaff, dubbed the 'sexy siren', displayed her jazzy and soulful timbre by performing tracks from her debut album "Fire" under MCA Universal Philippines. Yes, this Survivor celebrity 2010 castaway favorite, actress, model, painter, fashion designer and make-up artist can also sing decently. Her preferred music is reminiscent of easy-listening singer Norah Jones, and it helps that the Filipina-French multi-talent is as gorgeous as they come.

From one sultry female to another, Starstruck discovery Jackie Rice gamely held hands with and serenaded a male fan from the audience. The "Sisid" actress even gave the lucky one a chance to kiss her after her song pieces, Vanessa Carlton’s "A Thousand Miles" and Sixpence None The Richer’s "Kiss Me." In an interview with The Freeman prior to the event, Jackie said she has no follow-up soap lined up yet, but in the meantime, fans can catch her in the GMA News TV cooking-cum-situational comedy show "Sarap at Home" with Sam Oh, Ramon Bautista and Fabio Ide. The beautiful mestiza is also still seen in the long-running gag show "Bubble Gang."

The privilege to close the show went to award-winning actor Dennis Trillo, who often exhibits his emo rocker persona when performing in mall shows, and this time was no different. No cutesy love song ballads or pop dances for this dude, who has a penchant for jumping up and down on and off stage and getting up close with his audience. Dennis has a Metro Manila Film Fest entry this year, via Regal Films’ "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow", where apart from drama highlights, he shares sizzling scenes with Solenn and Agot Isidro.

This Cebu shindig was the fourth leg of the Kapuso Christmas concert series, with previous legs held in Iloilo as early as November 5, then in Naga, Davao last December 2, and a culminating show in Dagupan last December 17. Highlights of all "Jammin' Sa Kapusong Pasko" editions was aired Christmas morning, Dec. 25 at 8 a.m., on all eight regional stations of GMA — Cebu, Naga, Dagupan, Iloilo, Bacolod , Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos. (FREEMAN)