Kapusong Negrenses celebrate Hugyaw Silay Festival with a smile

MANILA, Philippines - It was a record-breaking fete as 25,000 people flocked to Silay Public Plaza last June 12 to celebrate Hugyaw Silay Festival 2013 together with the lead stars of GMA 7’s With A Smile.

Straight from Manila, Mikael Daez and Andrea Torres flew to Silay City to join the colorful merrymaking in Negros Occidental’s “seat of arts, culture and heritage.”

In a jam-packed Kapuso Fiesta, Mikael serenaded Ms. Kapuso beauties with a couple of romantic jazz songs much to the audience’s delight. Andrea sang the hit song Call Me Maybe to a fan who was mesmerized by her pretty face.

Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break grand winner Jeric Gonzales amazed everyone not just with his boy-next-door looks but with his winning voice as well. Finally, it was Fashbook host and Kapuso actress Solenn Heussaff who set the stage on fire with a song-and-dance number.

Hours before the Kapuso Fiesta in Silay City,  Andrea and Mikael first made waves in Bacolod City where they met their fans from Brgy. Bata and Brgy. Granada in a back-to-back Kapuso Barangayan.

“Not only was it great to be back in Silay and in Bacolod after almost a year, but I enjoyed the energy of the people, the food and the company of my co-artists as well. It didn’t feel like work being in their festival,” shares Mikael.

After a lively celebration of Hugyaw Silay, Bacolod City’s Charter Day followed shortly last June 15, where Kapuso celebrities LJ Reyes and Gabby Eigenmann participated.

LJ and Gabby first toured the city’s major streets via a Kapuso parade that cruised along Lizares St. up to Bacolod City’s public plaza. Afterwards, both artists led the shindig in the said plaza with throngs of fans partying with them in a Kapuso Night that capped off the day’s festivities.

“GMA is one with our Kapusong Negrenses in celebrating Hugyaw Silay 2013 as well as Bacolod City’s Charter Day. The artists have nothing but good memories from these beautiful cities to bring back with them — from the warm welcome of the crowd, the sumptuous food, the overwhelming support of our Kapuso here. The network expresses its  appreciation for all the help extended to us by the local government of Silay and Bacolod cities, and of course, by our event partners and sponsors. Surely, our Kapusong Negrenses can expect more shows like these from GMA in the months to come,” shares Oliver Amoroso, GMA’s AVP for Regional TV.