Kapuso stars join Masskara Festival

MANILA, Philippines - Brimming with her down-to-earth personality, Marian Rivera greeted thousands of Bacoleños with a warm smile during a Kapuso Fans’ Day held last Oct. 18 at the North Transport Hub of SM City Bacolod, as part of the annual celebration of the Masskara Festival.

“Hindi ko alam kung paano ako tatanggapin ng mga tao sa mall show ko,” was her sentiment hours before the program. But as she ascended the stage, she was astounded to see the happy faces of her supporters who were screaming and cheering, with some even bursting into tears at the sight of her — signs that she was more than welcome to be there and that her visit has long been waited for by the Bacoleños.

Marian admitted she had second thoughts on whether she would push through with the mall show or not after an earthquake hit some parts of Visayas on Oct. 15.

“Pagkatapos kong mabalitaan ‘yung naging effect ng lindol, nag-text kaagad ako kay Kuya Oli (Oliver Amoroso, AVP of GMA Regional TV) kung tutuloy pa ba kami dahil baka kailangang maka-recover muna ng mga tao or may ayusin sa lugar nila, baka pwede naming i-delay or i-postpone. Ang sabi naman nila, ‘hinihintay ka ng mga tao dun, kailangan ka nila, at least kahit papaano maging masaya naman sila,’” she shared.

It was Marian’s first time to witness and celebrate Masskara. “Masasabi ko na first time ko lahat dito sa Bacolod, except I remember nag-radio tour ako before for Marimar pero that was super quick lang. Ito talaga ‘yung pinakamatagal na nakilala at nakantahan ko sila on stage,” she said.

Deeply overwhelmed, Marian assured her supporters that she’ll come back saying, “Nakakatuwa talaga dito sa Bacolod, ang sasaya ng mga tao. Parang ayaw ko na ngang umalis, kung pwede dito na lang ako. Promise, babalik ako.”

Marian was joined by Boobay who added delight to the audience.

Next event was the Kapuso Electric Dansskara Finals and Charter Day Countdown held at the Bacolod City Government Center at 8 p.m. of the same day featuring Mark Herras, Rochelle Pangilinan and Andrea Torres as celebrity guests. The following day, Oct. 19, the Bacoleños had the chance to meet more Kapuso stars via the Charter Day Parade and a back-to-back Kapuso Mall Show.

First group who endeared the fans were the cast of Genesis, Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad and Betong Sumaya. At 1 p.m., they participated in the parade that cruised along the main streets of the city down to the Bacolod Public Plaza, then at 4 p.m., they performed in a mall show held at the Robinsons Bacolod fountain area together with Alden Richards and Louise delos Reyes.

It was followed by another exciting show held at the mall’s City Walk at 7 p.m. that featured the cast of Pyra Babaeng Apoy, Thea Tolentino, Jeric Gonzales, Polo Ravales and Angelu de Leon with Kuh Ledesma.

On Oct. 20, GMA Bacolod’s News and Public Affairs offered a special live coverage of the Masskara Street Dancing that took place at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

Highlights of GMA Network’s participation in the Masskara Festival can be seen in Let’s Fiesta TV Special airing on Nov. 10 in all regional stations in Cebu, Davao, CDO, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bicol, Ilocos, Dagupan and GenSan.