‘Sunday All Stars’ invokes competitive spirit, presents platform to showcase Kapuso talents

CEBU, Philippines - GMA Network's newest Sunday show dares to push the envelope to offer a show that will pit the network's brightest stars against each other in a celebrity showdown of the highest caliber.

GMA-7's ‘Sunday All Stars’ staged a successful launch last June 16 with four celebrity teams competing against each other. The cast members of the new musical-variety program were split into four celebrity teams who participated in a showdown via production numbers.

During its first month, Christian Bautista, Jolina Magdangal, Mark Bautista and Jennylyn Mercado will lead the teams. Joining them are some of the Kapuso Network's best performing artists, GMA young stars and Kapuso primetime stars.

Christian Bautista's 'Instagang' chose OPM songs. He was joined by Glaiza de Castro, Bea Binene, Jay R, Aicelle Santos, Kristoffer Martin, Winwyn Marquez, Julian Trono and Solenn Heussaff, together with the MNVRS.

Jolina Magdangal's 'Ligang iLike' composed of Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes, Enzo Pineda, Jonalyn Viray, Kris Lawrence, Diva Montelaba, and Sam Pinto, together with the Addlib dance crew did various interpretations of Mr. Suave which ended on a comedic twist.

Mark Bautista's 'Tropang Trending' went contemporary with teammates Rachelle Ann Go, Barbie Forteza, Derrick Monasterio, Mark Herras, Rochelle Pangilinan,  Frencheska Farr, Rita de Guzman, Denise Barbacena and Kylie Padilla, together with the Mxmvmnt.

Jennylyn Mercado and her 'Tweet Hearts' Andrea Torres, Max Collins, Rocco Nacino, Maricris Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Sef Cadayona, Yassi Pressman and Julie Anne San Jose, together with the Sexbomb dancers glammed up in leather and biker getup and even had Sonny Parsons in a Hagibis-style number.

The show's "Big Four" Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Jaya and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid who act as judges all gave pros and cons of each performance. In the end, the judges and the home viewers who picked their choice via SMS and online voting chose Jennylyn's team to win the 'Astig' challenge.

Regine summed it all up with her comment: "Maganda ang show na ito kasi parang pinaghandaan lahat, hindi gaya dati."

The format of 'Sunday All Stars' not only encourages healthy competition among the celebrities, it also debunks naysayers who claim that there's a dearth of talent in the Kapuso network. It seems that the Kapuso stars only need ample opportunity and a good platform to showcase their talents. And that's exactly what 'Sunday All Stars' is all about. (FREEMAN)