Cebu is Kapuso territory

There’s a seemingly peculiar but nonetheless heartwarming familiarity as to how the Cebuanos welcomed Mega Manila’s leading TV network, GMA 7, to the Queen City of the South for the nth time – "phenomenal."

Relatively smaller in scale as compared to last year’s Grand Kapuso Fans Day, which broke records in terms of attendance in both SM City Cebu and Cebu City Sports Center, this year’s Kapuso Day sa Cebu nevertheless packed more than enough Kapuso star power for a one-day non-stop showcase of Kapuso entertainment prowess and genuine public service at the Mandaue Sports Complex last week.

A corporate press conference held recently at the network’s Cebu complex kicked off the festivities. No less than GMA Network’s chairman, president and CEO lawyer Felipe Gozon, SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores, VP for Entertainment TV Marivin Arayata and AVP for Expansion and Production Services and concurrent OIC for Regional TV Rikki Escudero were present to address Cebu’s local media and a few Manila-based press.

A motorcade of some of GMA’s hottest stars like Captain Barbell’s Patrick Garcia, Camille Prats and Rhian Ramos; Kili-TV’s Keempee de Leon, Maureen Larrazabal and Francine Prieto; and S.O.P.’s duo of Jay-R and Kyla served as the opening salvo of Saturday’s fans day event. From Waterfront-Lahug, they proceeded to the Mandaue Sports Complex where about 10,000 eager and excited Cebuanos were already in anticipation of one of Cebu’s grandest events outside of the Sinulog festival.

Inside the sports complex, a one-of-a-kind entertainment treat was provided by GMA Entertainment TV with Captain Barbell’s Pachinco booth; Bahay Mo Ba ‘To, Lagot Ka and Bubble Gang’s Roleta booth and S.O.P. and Cebuano variety program Oi!’s Videoke Challenge booth.

Some of the biggest names from the country’s most respected news organization, GMA News and Public Affairs, joined ETV’s artists in entertaining the crowd. Four of the five pillars of Serbisyong Totoo, Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho and Arnold Clavio, together with Jiggy Manicad, Susan Enriquez and Love Añover graced the event. Jessica, Arnold, Susan and Love even performed live on stage to the delight of the Cebuanos.

GMA News’ 24 Oras and Saksi, together with the leading Cebuano primetime newscast Balitang Bisdak gave a number of loyal Kapusong Cebuanos the opportunity to call their loved ones abroad for free with the Libreng Tawag booth. Public Affairs programs Wish Ko Lang!, Kay Susan Tayo and the newest afternoon reality program, Ang Pagbabago, on the other hand, offered free haircut services with their Libreng Gupit booth. Free vitamins and first aid services were taken cared of by Emergency in its Libreng Bitamina/First Aid booth.

Once again it can be told, GMA 7’s showcase of talents and sincere public service in its true Kapuso fashion has once more conquered the Queen City of the South.