Kagay-an Festival in Cagayan de Oro: Kapuso-style Kalingawan

Cagayan de OrO, Philippines — GMA 7’s Kalingawan sa Kagay-An was sweet but never sappy as love teammates Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal along with Dennis Trillo and Jennica Garcia graced the event. Kagay-anons were treated to an early Valentine’s Day. Without Cupid’s proverbial bow and arrow, Aljur, Kris, Dennis and Jennica hit the bulls-eye and won the Kagay-anons’ hearts.

“It’s fun,” answers Kris when asked about her experience in doing provincial shows. “It is something I always look forward to because I don’t have the chance to travel (or go out of town) even with my family. If I go to a place, it is always my first like this trip to Cagayan.”

“Exciting,” adds Aljur, the other half of the All My Life tandem. “It brings back memories of my province Pampanga — the lush greenery (and the simple, laid-back life) — and my childhood. If it’s my first time in the place, I ask people around about what I will find in it or what it is known for. So the next time I visit the place, I know what to do there. Doing a show outside Metro Manila makes me reminisce.”

That’s why Aljur and Kris never showed any sign of exhaustion even if they had commitments before going to this City of Golden Friendship. The two always smiled and were accommodating to the fans. An estimated 10,000 people flocked to the Limketkai Centre’s The Atrium from 1 to 7 p.m. to get a glimpse of their favorite Kapuso stars. According to the event organizers, Kalingawan sa Kagay-An drew one of the biggest crowds Limketkai had in recent years.

“We meet our fans,” says Aljur. “I’m glad to know that we have followers outside Metro Manila.”

John “Sweet” Lapuz with regional Kapuso stars Anna Maris Igpit of Cebu and Chuck Allie of Davao hosted the event. Sweet exchanged funny repartee with Anna Maris and Chuck.

StarStruck Avenger Chuck is busy hosting a lifestyle show and pursuing a business management course in Ateneo de Davao University. Next year, he hopes to have his diploma and perhaps resume his rudely-interrupted showbiz career. Given another crack at the local tinseltown, Chuck would like to concentrate on hosting talk or lifestyle programs.

Aljur and Kris kept in touch with the Kagay-anons by singing Bitiw and Please Don’t Stop, respectively. The onscreen sweethearts sealed their segments with a kiss after performing Friend of Mine. Jennica and Dennis also entertained them through songs performing Crazy For You, Especially For You and Hinahanap-hanap Kita.

The night before the event, Alfred Vargas serenaded the candidates of Miss Kagay-An.

Although All My Life’s finale is nearing, fans of Aljur and Kris can still catch them in the Regal Films’ I’ll Be Waiting For You shot in picturesque Bohol. Kris shares she and Aljur play mature roles compared to Romina and Jules of the afternoon series. She will tie the knot with Baron Geisler. Then Aljur’s character, Baron’s half-brother, comes along. The conflict arises when Aljur vies for Kris’ attention. Adding to that is Baron’s busy character.

After two years of working together, have they finally fallen in love with each other? Aljur and Kris remain mum about it. The way they treat and look at each other, however, makes one think there’s a special bond between them.

“He’s a good sounding board and an adviser,” says Kris of Aljur.

On their career, Aljur and Kris want to enjoy their team-up by doing more TV and movie projects before embarking on their own. After all, their partnership is still at its peak which started in StarStruck.

Asked if he feels any threat that Season Five of the artista search is underway and new talents will join the GMA Artist Center’s stable of stars, Aljur replies, “I will welcome them and want to play big brother to them. I’m excited to see others fulfilling their dream to become an artista.”