The Kapuso ‘Fiesta Spirit’

MANILA, Philippines - Not just one, but 10 jam-packed Kapuso events were mounted in key regional cities across the country successfully in February, another milestone month for GMA Regional TV.

During what is considered as the love month, the Kapuso “fiesta spirit” was kept alive through several fans days, mall shows, meet-and-greets and the network’s participation in various festivals in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Jumpstarting the series of events was Marian Rivera who bannered the first two editions of her Kapuso Fans Day in General Santos City and Carcar City, Cebu.

In her third visit to GenSan since 2013, the lead actress of the upcoming series, The Rich Man’s Daughter, took more than 4,000 supporters to a pre-Valentine date at the KCC Mall, where she belted out a medley of Aegis’ hit songs. At the Gaisano Grand Mall of Carcar, Marian swept her Cebuano fans off their feet as she delighted them with a JLo-inspired production number. Making her visit more memorable was the presence of her 86-year-old die-hard fan, Lola Salud, who was one of the estimated 7,000 who lined up for hours just to meet and take photos with her.

For Marian, touring the various regions has helped her maintain her relationship with her fans. The newly-wed actress said, “Dito pumapasok ‘yung importance ng paglalaan mo ng oras para sa supporters mo. Ako kasi, I recognize the fact na sila ‘yung one of my many inspirations sa career ko bilang artista kaya I am really exerting extra effort to go out of my way to meet them and bond with them para ma-maintain ‘yung relationship namin sa isa’t isa. Kung wala sila na nagsu-support at nagmamahal sa akin, wala ako kung nasaan man ako ngayon.” 

Meanwhile, featured in a Kapuso Mall Show at Robinsons Supermarket Meycauayan were Julie Anne San Jose and Healing Hearts’ Kristoffer Martin. Sunday All Stars mainstays Louise delos Reyes, Jeric Gonzales and Ruru Madrid did not disappoint their fans in Daraga, Albay when they visited them that same day for a thrilling Kapuso Fiesta, coinciding with the province’s annual Cagsawa Festival.

Negros Occidental’s Babaylan Festival saw the lead cast of More Than Words partying with the Negrenses at Bago City’s Babaylan Park via a Kapuso Promo Tour. Reel and real-life sweethearts Elmo Magalona and Janine Gutierrez together with Enzo Pineda and Kylie Padilla impressed Kapuso fans with their singing and dancing skills. In addition, Kylie and Enzo ended the month of love on a festive note as they headed up north in San Fernando, La Union, conquering CSI The City Mall.

GMA Regional TV also brought to Abra’s Dapil Festival two of its premier comedians, Bubble Gang’s Sef Cadayona and Once Upon A Kiss’ Mike “Pekto” Nacua, who elicited endless laughter from the audience. 

Meanwhile, during the Bacolaodiat Festival, nothing but pure entertainment filled the North Capitol Road of Bacolod City as scores of loyal fans trooped to GMA Regional TV’s successful meet and greet with Second Chances’ Jennylyn Mercado, Raymart Santiago, Rafael Rosell and Camille Prats. The same was felt during a Kapuso Mall Show held at SM City Bacolod with Kailan Ba Tama Ang Mali?’s Geoff Eigenmann, Empress Schuck and Dion Ignacio. 

In the Philippines’ Summer Capital, invading Baguio City’s annual Panagbenga Festival were Geoff, Empress, Dion and Max Collins, with The Half Sisters’ Barbie Forteza, Andre Paras and Thea Tolentino. Amidst the city’s cold temperatures, what was instantly felt was the warm welcome extended by the locals and tourists alike for the Kapuso artists at the Rambakan Drive of SM City Baguio. 

The Kapuso fiesta series culminated with the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival in Davao del Norte on the same day with Dingdong Dantes’ first-ever Kapuso Fans Day in 2015. More than 5,000 Davaoeños reveled in an afternoon of OPM as showcased by Dingdong through his performance at the Gaisano Mall of Tagum.