ASAP Mania: 10 and going strong

The news that ASAP Mania, ABS-CBN’s top-rating Sunday noontime show, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, turned out to be a challenge both for the production team and the hosts of the program.

The All-New Sunday Afternoon Party (ASAP), which has become a favorite weekend noontime viewing fare, has been revamped and re-energized to offer something for everybody.

To kick off the 10th year bash, ASAP Mania fields in top five-caliber hosts to add not just star-power and glamour, but also thrill and excitement to the Sunday noontime musical-variety show. ASAP Mania gathers Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla as frontliners, with Piolo Pascual and Vina Morales.

"After doing ASAP for 10 years, it’s a challenge for us to work with professionals like them," says ABS-CBN vice president for talk and variety Deo Endrinal of the five main hosts. "We like our young artists to collaborate with these professionals. We want to give the audience more in ASAP Mania. We want to match the viewers’ enthusiasm with that of the staff’s. We don’t want to disappoint our viewers."

The main hosts are very excited to become part of the ASAP Mania family. Kuh admits having a regular Sunday show has altered her life, but she doesn’t really mind. "I guess there comes a time in your life when you want to do something exciting," Kuh allows. "And for me, it’s doing ASAP every Sunday. It’s something new for me. It’s also a different kind of discipline. I get to study new songs and work with the best talents. Everybody’s got his or her own gifts and assets."

Piolo insists ASAP Mania has changed his weekend habits, but he cannot be thankful enough, now that he has been given a chance to work with the likes of Gary, Kuh and Zsa Zsa.

"It’s an honor for me to work with the pros," Piolo asserts. Nakaka-tense talaga to sing with them, but I’m learning a lot from them. The show has also become a training ground for me where I can further hone my singing talent and build my confidence. When I perform in ASAP, I always give it my best shot."

Zsa Zsa, although not a stranger to her fellow hosts, looks forward to Sundays when she can perform with fellow singers. "I’ve been touring with Kuh for the past two-and-a-half years," Zsa Zsa says. "And with Gary, I’ve been working with him maybe since prep. I’ve been encouraging Piolo to sing solo in the show and Vina to further hone her singing and dancing talents. ASAP is so full of energy so you always give it a hundred percent when you perform in the show."

Gary, for his part, is now excited to work on Sundays, which used to be rest days for him. "Weekends are usually heavy with concerts for us, so I usually rest on Sundays," Gary shares. "But now, I have something different to do on Sundays and it energizes me. I’m glad I’ve been given the opportunity and I will maximize that."

Vina discloses they always make an effort to come up with different, exciting musical and production numbers in ASAP Mania. "We have band rehearsals every week and we really prepare for the show," Vina says. "Pinaghihirapan talaga namin. I’m excited and happy to work with my fellow singers not just in concerts, but now regularly on TV."

The five main hosts of ASAP Mania will be seen weekly in the show’s newest segment, Music Box, where they will render songs that speak of emotions, starting each song with a line or quotation people will remember. The hosts will also be featured in ASAP By Request, wherein a letter-sender tells his story and requests a song related to it.

"We are in ASAP not just to earn," Gary maintains. "We use it like any stage or platform, where we can enhance and change the way we want to perform. I believe ASAP is a venue of equally-talented singers and actors incorporating their strengths in performing. If the viewers enjoyed the first 10 years of ASAP, they’ll enjoy the show even more starting this year."

Kuh believes being in ASAP Mania is an answered prayer for her. "I prayed about more exposure for myself especially since I became a renewed Christian," Kuh says. "I told the Lord to give me something if He wants me to be more exposed and popular, so I can share His gospel. ASAP is His answer to that. I believe God opens the doors for us.

According to Deo, there will be more segments to be launched in the show within the first quarter of the year. "That should surely satisfy and delight the audience and give them what they want in a Sunday noontime show," Deo says.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, ASAP Mania prepares one special after the other. There will be a weekly special celebration every month, with one Sunday as the highlight, like the ASAP Mania episode today, to be aired live from the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. The celebration will culminate in a grand anniversary presentation in October.

Completing the ASAP Mania family are The Hunks with Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Carlos Agassi, Piolo Pascual and Bernard Palanca; young hosts Luis Manzano, Rica Peralejo, Angelika de la Cruz, Bea Alonzo, John Prats and Heart Evangelista; Star in a Million winner Erik Santos and singers Nina, Ana Fegi, Luke Mejares, Bituin Escalante, King and Michelle Ayalde.

The existing regular segments of ASAP Mania include ASAP Versus, featuring the tandem of Ana Fegi and Bituin Escalante belting out hits by local and international music icons.

There’s also ASAP Versions, where Nina renders her own versions of old and new songs with featured guest artists. In Rated R, Rica Peralejo displays her terpsichorean prowess in conceptualized production numbers every Sunday.