MANILA, Philippines - Following the enthusiasm stirred by GMA Network’s My Husband’s Lover (MHL) in the Philippines, the show has since been enthralling audiences abroad, particularly in the neighboring country of Vietnam.
Last July, MHL cast members Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana, along with Jonalyn Viray who sang the theme song for the show’s Vietnam airing, visited the country for GMA’s third Vietnam Star Tour.
The Vietnam Star Tour is a joint project of GMA Worldwide, Inc., a subsidiary of the Network that oversees the syndication of GMA programs and films to foreign countries, and International Media JS Company (IMC), one of the leading multimedia groups in Vietnam, and the creator of Today TV which currently airs the series.
“The past few years have seen a steady increase in the demand for GMA programs in the region,” noted Roxanne Barcelona, VP of GMA Worldwide, Inc. “Consequently, the popularity of our Kapuso artists also reaches various foreign audiences.”
The Kapuso stars were greeted warmly by their Vietnamese fans over the course of their three-day visit. The Star Tour began with IMC’s sixth anniversary party which featured a performance by Jonalyn, and Carla showcasing her hosting skills in one segment. They also took time during their stay to attend a charity event where they gave presents to less fortunate children.
A presscon for the three artists drew a large crowd of fans who came out to see their favorite Filipino stars in person. Tom and Jonalyn serenaded the audience with impressive song numbers while Carla hosted a segment of the program. They also mingled and took photos with their many supporters. As a token of appreciation, IMC presented each star with their very own traditional Vietnamese attire.
“It’s overwhelming to see the positive response to My Husband’s Lover reaching international audiences as well,” shared Tom. “I’m glad they are enjoying watching this series as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Carla, on the other hand, was glad to have another chance to visit the country and meet her fans, after headlining the Vietnam Star Tour last year. She has become a popular figure due to the airing of GMA dramas she has appeared in. “It feels good to be back here in Vietnam,” she expressed. “The people are very welcoming and it’s always nice to have the chance to connect with our audiences abroad.”
Meanwhile, Jonalyn was delighted to perform in the country, saying, “I’m grateful for the chance to entertain our Vietnamese fans seeing the enthusiastic support that they’ve been giving to the show.”
Their tour concluded with a television guesting on the talk show Movie World where they invited the Vietnamese audience to continue supporting their series.