Dubai: Warm welcome for Kapuso ‘royalty’

The year 2014 has been an eventful one for the Kapuso Royal Couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

With the high-rating drama series Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real for Dingdong and an eponymous dance show for Marian now on its second season, followed by an on-air wedding proposal and a string of bridal showers and bachelor parties, the Kapuso Primetime King and Queen seem truly blessed both in their professional and personal lives.

As their wedding day nears, Dingdong and Marian manage to find a balance between their work life and the preparations for their upcoming nuptials. Amidst hectic schedules, the couple still finds time to share their journey with fans from all over the world.

Just this month, the soon-to-wed pair, along with Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose, headlined the highly-successful Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai concert held at the Global Village, the largest multicultural theme park in Dubai.

The concert, which was organized by GMA’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV in partnership with New Perspective Media and The Filipino Times, was attended by over 7,000 spectators hoping to have a glimpse of the Kapuso artists.

The night’s entertainment featured group performances as well as individual production numbers from each of the stars.

It was Marian’s second time to perform for Kapuso fans in Dubai, the first being the equally-successful Kapusong Pinoy concert in 2013, and her last visit as Marian Rivera as she becomes Mrs. Dantes on Dec. 30.

Marian proved that she was the queen of the dance floor with an ’80s medley production number. What sent the crowds cheering, however, was her rendition of her favorite songs by the popular band Aegis. “First time kong kakanta ng mga paborito kong awitin para sa aking mga fans,” an excited Marian said during the press conference at Asiana Hotel a day before the show.

Dingdong, on the other hand, delighted the audience with his repertoire of well-loved songs from the iconic music group, Eraserheads. “We wanted to give a show that would resonate with the Filipino audience kaya we also chose familiar songs,” shared Dingdong.

The Royal Couple also thrilled crowds as they performed a duet onstage.

As a preview to her upcoming concert, Hologram, on Dec. 13, Julie Anne belted out powerful performances of popular songs, impressing the thousands of spectators at the venue. In a special segment for GMA Life TV, the Network’s second international channel, the nine-time platinum record award holder also performed the channel’s new theme song, There’s More To Life, which she recorded for its re-launch last October.

“Para ito sa lahat ng kababayan namin sa Dubai na nagsasakripisyo para sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya. It’s our turn to make them happy,” shared Julie Anne.

It was indeed a special night for Filipinos in Dubai who were able to witness the spectacular performances from the three GMA stars.

Julie Anne, who was also part of the GMA Pinoy TV concert series’ L.A. leg held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center last September, exclaimed, “It was an exhilarating show and we hope that our kababayan in Dubai had as much fun watching as we had performing for them.”

“Salamat sa GMA Pinoy TV dahil may mga ganitong pagkakataon na napagsasama-sama ang mga Pilipino abroad, at least kahit papaano mabigyan natin sila ng ligaya and at the same time, maiparamdam natin na parang nasa Pilipinas pa rin sila,” expressed Marian.

Dingdong agreed with his fiancée, saying, “Isang magandang pagkakataon ang mga event na ganito to bring (Filipinos) closer to home. We’re hoping that through our entertainment eh maiparamdam namin sa kanila na hindi naman sila masyadong malayo sa Pilipinas.”

Truly, GMA Network, through its international business unit GMA International, is able to leave its mark in the hearts of Filipinos all over the world by extending the Kapuso experience to its viewers in ways beyond television.