The Kapamilya 'invasion' of Universal City

Did you know that the City of Los Angeles declared last Sept. 18 as “The Filipino Community Day” when more than 12,000 Pinoys eagerly trooped to The Universal Studios in Hollywood to witness the TFC (The Filipino Channel)’s annual anniversary event now famously known as One Kapamilya Go?

“Entering the theme park was like a virtual trip to the Philippines as Kapamilyas took advantage of the whole-day event to hold family reunions, excursions and get-togethers,” said Mickey Muñoz of TFC in his exclusive report to Funfare.

Booths were set up for money remittance. There was Karaoke-singing of Tagalog songs that heightened the nostalgic mood of the day. Offered were special 10 percent discount on Universal merchandise exclusively for Pinoys and special shoutouts for TFC subscribers at the backlot tram tours.

“And for the first time,” said Mickey, “Pinoy food was sold at all restaurants in the Universal Studios.”

Pinoy Big Brother head Laurenti Dyogi held auditions for PBB’s fourth edition, attracting a queue of second- and third-generations of Fil-Ams, with some flying in from as far as New York.

Highlight of the day was the TFC show held at the Gibson Ampitheater.

“We had to do a second show that same night to accommodate the expected overflow of audience from the 2 p.m. slot,” added Mickey.

The show was topbilled by John Lloyd Cruz and Pokwang who also presented the full trailer of A Mother’s Story, her first-starring movie produced by TFC set for release in November.

“The crowd went wild when teleserye stars Coco Martin, Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes (of Mara Clara) appeared on stage,” said Mickey, “while a vocal showdown between Star Power’s Angeline Quinto and Pilipinas Got Talent champion Marcelito Pomoy rocked the humongous venue. The audience rewarded the bravura performance of Lani Misalucha and Jed Madela with a rousing standing ovation at the end of the show.”

Charice was there but she did not perform.

“A momentary commotion happened backstage when Charice came,” reported Mickey. “She watched the show from the wings. Charice was part of the One Kapamilya Go shows in 2008 and 2009.”

Funfare sources who were there said that when the L.A.-based Philippine media approached Charice for an interview, the cordon sanitaire around her stopped them, saying, “Charice came to support Jed Madela and not to please the Philippine press.”

Oops! The same thing happened (Charice being “shielded” from the local press) when she came home one time, didn’t it?

Said one of the Funfare sources, “Charice should tell her ‘foreign’ protectors now that she shouldn’t be kept away from the Philippine media that has helped her a lot; and it’s not part of Filipino culture to shoo away your kababayan.”

The question is: Can Charice do that?

Anyway, Mickey said that the Universal Studios executives were so amazed by the impact of the event that they want to do another partnership with TFC.

“As a way of saying thanks,” said Mickey, “they treated the stars to a full tour of the park and rides the day after the show.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)