Dinagyang with Kapuso

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Like magnets to metal or flowers to bees, celebrities attract attention wherever they go and whatever time of day. People troop to the venue, unmindful of the inconvenience and discomfort of close body contact in crowds bring, just to get a glimpse of showbiz personalities on stage.

This is the scenario that unfolded when GMA 7 recently joined the colorful, grand 43^rd year celebration of the Dinagyang Festival in honor of the Sto. Niño. The Kapuso network brought some of its stars close to Ilonggos by flying them in from Manila for a two-day show dubbed Kapuso Dinagyang.

The Ledesma Wing carpark of Robinson’s was instantly filled with people of all shapes, ages, sizes and gender — the “third sex” included — even before the 6 p.m. mall show started last Friday. They were all eager to see Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes, stars of the upcoming primetime series I Heart You Pare. Local hosts John Arceo, Sam Jalandoni and Monyeka treated the crowd to a pre-event program that kept everyone’s energy high.

Dennis Trillo (center) with GMA 7 Iloilo hosts John Arceo and Sam Jalandoni

Deafening shrieks and screams filled the air when Dingdong ascended on stage while singing Eraserheads’ Magasin. His rendition of Huling El Bimbo equally gained applause from Ilonggos who clicked their cameras tirelessly as Dingdong came closer to shake their hands.

The gays could no longer control their “behaved” manner when Regine crooned Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and invited them onstage as she sang Last Dance. Regine exchanged light banter with the gays, who were in revealing costumes. Her Hinahanap-hanap Kita duet with Dingdong got the crowd humming and swaying.

The Ilonggos’ warm welcome was also felt by Dwarfina stars Heart Evangelista, Dennis Trillo, Will Devaughn and Vaness del Moral as they performed song numbers at the Event Center of SM Iloilo. Will greeted everyone a “Happy Fiesta” and sang I’m Yours and Wonderful Tonight. He treated the girls to some kilig moments when he gamely participated in a game that also tested his ability to win hearts.

Dwarfina star Heart Evangelista

And who would have thought Vaness can be so sweet and funny, so unlike her on-screen kontrabida role? She was a delight as she sang Poker Face and a real sweetheart when she picked a male member of the audience to accompany her onstage as she did another song number.

Of course, Dennis and Heart also joined in the “acting” contest which made each contestant blush. Those called on stage were too shy to exchange light banter with Heart and Dennis on stage.

Before ending the show and bidding the crowd goodbye, the stars expressed their sincerest thanks for supporting all the Kapuso shows.

Will we expect another delightful Kapuso Dinagyang same time next year? Why not? After all, it gives every Kapuso a lot of fun and pleasure as well.