CEBU, Philippines - Sinulog season has always seen a buffet of celebrities capitalizing on Cebu’s huge crowds of locals and tourists. This year was no different with the warring networks bringing over their arsenal of mob-drawing soap stars enough to fill a fangirl/boy’s cravings.
GMA-7 led the star-watching fiesta with five mall shows, an increase to the usual two consecutive pre-Sinulog Kapuso nights they’ve been staging the past years.
Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, with her “Temptation of Wife†cast-mates Dennis Trillo, Glaiza de Castro, Rafael Rosell, Michelle Madrigal and Bettina Carlos caused pandemonium at Gaisano Capital-Casuntingan, Mandaue City and at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu last Jan. 18.
The next day, it was the turn of Marian’s sweetheart Dingdong Dantes, who also did the mall rounds with his “Pahiram ng Sandali†co-stars Lorna Tolentino and Max Collins. They dropped by Gaisano Grand Fiesta Mall, Tabunok first, then later joined the actors of “Indio†for another mall appearance at the SM City Cebu Event Centre.
Senator Bong Revilla, Jr., in his very first mall show to promote his first, and what he says is his last soap, was supported in this Cebu visit by Jennylyn Mercado, Alden Richards, Rhian Ramos and Ehra Madrigal. The “Indio†group also rode GMA-7’s Sinulog float for the Sunday grand parade.
Tween stars Barbie Forteza and Kristoffer Martin of “Paroa†and Isabel Oli of “Forever†also drew in their share of followers during a show at Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan.
Meanwhile, it was “one time, big time†over at the ABS-CBN camp, which mounted a grand Kapamilya Caravan at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu the night of Jan. 19.
After warming up the crowd with lots of games and prizes, the awaited Kapamilya stars finally arrived one after the other. There was no way you could hear yourself at this point, of course.
Sam Milby and Paulo Avelino of “Kahit Konting Pagtingin,†Kim Chiu and Xian Lim of “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,†Anne Curtis and Robin Padilla of “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,†Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap of “Be Careful With My Heart†were the marquee names that graced ABS-CBN’s Sinulog treat.
Kim, Xian, Richard also joined Enchong Dee, Vice Ganda and Ryan Bang for the ABS-CBN Sinulog float, while a separate promotional float for the cast of primetime superhero series “Juan dela Cruz†(to premiere this Monday, February 4) carried Coco Martin, Erich Gonzales, Arron Villaflor, Neil Coleta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gina Pareño and Joel Torre.
TV5 did not possibly want to be left behind and so for the first time, the Kapatid station fielded a Sinulog float with “Kidlat†star Derek Ramsay as its main attraction. Joining the hunk who was in his superhero costume were cast-mates Nadine Samonte, Ritz Azul and Wendell Ramos.
Taking their post after the “Kidlat†cast aboard the TV5 float were “Lokomoko†mainstays JC de Vera and Tuesday Vargas, “Alabang Housewives†reality show stars Pamella Spella and Vanessa Ishitani (contestants of the network’s “The Amazing Race Philippinesâ€), and “Artista Academy†scholars Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae.
Did you get a good view and snapshot of your screen idols?