Grand Kapamilya Weekend to remember

ABS-CBN’s Kwento ng Kasiyahan: The Grand Kapamilya Weekend went down memory lane to pay homage to ABS-CBN’s best and most memorable programs, provided public service, fun activities and the opportunity to meet and greet the network’s biggest stars in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippine television last Oct. 5 and 6.

Thousands of madlang people were unfazed by the heat to watch the live telecast of It’s Showtime at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC). The noontime show paid tribute to ABS-CBN’s most memorable programs such as Chika Chika Chiks, Home Along Da Riles, Palibhasa Lalake and May Bukas Pa whose cast members took part in a special edition of Sine Mo ‘To.

It’s Showtime also looked back on ABS-CBN’s fantaseryes, with Vhong Navarro as Lastikman, Angel Locsin as Lyka in Lobo, Anne Curtis as Dyosa and Jericho Rosales as Panday taking the stage. The cast members of Goin’ Bulilit and kiddie gag show Ang TV also performed.

ASAP 18 threw a grand concert party at the Marikina Sports Complex, with over 100 Kapamilya stars, such as Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Coco Martin taking part in the celebration.

ASAP 18 also revisited the past 60 years of Philippine TV with a homage to ABS-CBN’s teleseryes, to sitcoms, reality, talk and variety shows. The program also marked the grand reunion of the cast members of Palibhasa Lalake, Tabing Ilog and ASAP boy group Kanto Boys.

M.O.R. 101.9, meanwhile, treated Kapamilyas to a free MOR LIVE: Kwento ng Musikang Pilipino concert Saturday night, featuring performances from 20 OPM artists, including Daniel Padilla and Enrique Gil. M.O.R. DJs also rendered a special sing-dance-acting performance to the delight of the crowd.

The historic Grand Kapamilya Weekend concluded with lots of singing and laughter on Sunday night, with comedians Pokwang, KitKat, K Brosas, Chokoleit, John Lapus, Jason Gainza and Be Careful With My Heart stars Doris and Sabel leading the Kapamilya KTV. Select audience members also got to win prizes by participating in the videoke contest and other games, while a huge fireworks display took place to wrap up the celebration.

On Saturday morning, the star-studded Grand Kapamilya Weekend was formally opened by ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio and other network executives, stars Piolo, John Lloyd, Bea, TV Patrol anchors Noli de Castro, Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon, and MTRCB chairman lawyer Toto Villareal in a ceremony that was hosted by Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda. Zsa Zsa Padilla also appeared in the said ceremony to perform the theme song of ABS-CBN’s 60th anniversary.

The Kapamilya Village at the QMC, where booths of several ABS-CBN programs and channels were set up, also provided entertainment that catered to each member of the family. There were face painting services and cosplay characters for the kids, and carnival games and fortune telling for others.

The celebration wasn’t only about fun and merriment as it was also marked with public service activities.

Salamat Dok and DZMM conducted a medical mission, while Star Magic operated the Soup Kitchen. The booths of ABS-CBN news and current affairs programs also offered free haircut, legal counseling, free cellphone charging, free massage, bingo games, among others.

Fans also flocked to the action-packed Kapamilya All-Stars Basketball Game held at the Araneta Coliseum and the Kapamilya All-Stars Volleyball Game at the Marikina Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, a total of 88,190 people participated in One Run, One Philippines: Isang Bayan Para sa Kalikasan, a five-city run that benefited several environmental projects. It was simultaneously held in Quezon City, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao and Los Angeles as part of ABS-CBN’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippine television.

Filipino netizens also took part in the celebration by posting their thoughts on Twitter, making the hashtag #Kapamilya60Years the top nationwide trending topic on the social networking site over the weekend.