Cebu: Amaya roadshow's second stop

Manila, Philippines - The Amaya roadshow hit Cebu last June 30 and July 1, featuring mall shows, campus visits and a motorcade that wound through the main thoroughfares of the Queen City of the South.

On July 1, the motorcade cut a fascinating picture as GMA 7 primetime show cast members, led by Marian Rivera who portrays the title role, were bedecked in full costumes as they greeted fans from their float which resembled the karaokoa, the pre-Hispanic battleship that figures heavily in the epic-serye, which tells the story of a binukot princess-turned-banwa (“tribe”) leader. 

The roadshow commenced at the Fuente Osmeña Circle, the center of uptown Cebu, and passed through history-laden streets in the downtown area such as Colon, said to be the oldest street in the Philippines and Magallanes St., where the tourist attraction Magellan’s Cross is prominently displayed inside a kiosk.

Interestingly, in a previous interview with The STAR, it was learned from Amaya’s production people that the series was supposed to be a biographical account of sorts of the Cebuano hero Lapu-Lapu (who every Pinoy knows defeated Magellan on the shores of Mactan Island), but upon the advice of historical experts from University of the Philippines, Amaya became a historical fiction that is still set in pre-Hispanic times, particularly in the Visayas.   

A rare treat from the actor, Sid sings and plays the keyboard

The motorcade, nonetheless, electrified the streets, which usually get this kind of star treatment only during the Sinulog, Cebu’s annual festival every January. And although promos were made beforehand, the motorcade came as a surprise to many Cebuano commuters, motorists and the like. Some cars honked while a number of people who stood at the roadside either cheered, clapped or rushed to the float that carried, apart from Marian, such cast members as Mikael Daez, Rochelle Pangilinan, Dion Ignacio and Glaiza de Castro.

The cast also embarked on campus visits to the Mabolo National Highschool and the Mandaue Comprehensive National High School.

Mall shows capped the roadshow — the Gaisano Grand City Mall in Lapu-Lapu City on the first day, and SM City Cebu on the second day. A crowd estimate of about 20,000 showed up at the two events.

It was only on the second mall show that Sid Lucero, who plays one of the love interests of Amaya (the other being Mikael), was able to join.

The cast having a laugh while dancing to Marian’s Sabay-Sabay Tayo

Sid made up for his absence in the earlier events by showing off a side of him not usually seen by the viewing public. Sid, who is forming a band, sang and played the keyboards and even did cartwheels onstage.

Other presentations came from Rochelle, the series’ resident contravida, who took to the stage with two rousing song-and-dance numbers, reinforcing her reputation as one of the present dancing divas of Philippine showbiz.

Marian, on the other hand, was at her most playful self, did a song number before challenging the rest of cast to a dance showdown. The night before, GMA 7’s Primetime Queen also received an award from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, obliging the Cebu’s business community with an impromptu Q&A. 

The Cebu roadshow was a follow-up to the successful two-day roadshow in North Central Luzon last June 4 and June 5, visiting Pangasinan, Pampanga, Cabanatuan and Nueva Ecija.

Rochelle rocks the stage with two guys from the audience

The roadshow is the latest treat from the Kapuso network to enliven its presence in the regions. Since it started increasing its regional efforts in 2004, the network has been conducting Kapuso days, twice-monthly mall shows, and has been participating in all regional festivals and sponsoring other celebrations. “GMA Network breaks new grounds with the roadshow activities, making it a more valuable partner for advertisers seeking increased presence in the regions. The regional TV arm of GMA provides regional viewers on-ground activities suited to their tastes,” said Oliver Amoroso, AVP for sales and marketing.

Marian as Amaya handing out goodies during the motorcade, which drew a crowd estimate of 40,000