Sidelights: The Grand Kapamilya Weekend

It was the most star-studded event in the country last weekend when the country’s top celebrities participated in ABS-CBN’s Kwento ng Kasiyahan: The Grand Kapamilya Weekend in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippine television.

While the highlights of the two-day event were the star-studded main shows, such as the live telecast of It’s Showtime, the MOR 101.9 concert, free outdoor film screening and comedy night at the Quezon Memorial Circle, ASAP 18 at the Marikina Sports Center, and the all-stars basketball and volleyball games, the Grand Kapamilya Weekend also had bazaars, booths featuring ABS-CBN programs, medical missions, storytelling, meet-and-greet with the Kapamilya stars and other fun activities that catered to each member of the family. Equally interesting were the sidelights at the QC Circle:

To spot celebrities, trust the fans. They know where to stake out. It didn’t take long before fans discovered where the entrance was for celebrities for the opening ceremonies of ABS-CBN’s Grand Kapamilya Weekend at the Quezon Memorial Circle last Saturday.

They expectantly stood in line. Armed with their cameras, the fans excitedly waited for the Kapamilya stars and news personalities. They gushed and shrieked each time a celebrity alighted from the ABS-CBN vans.

Their patience paid off as they saw Richard Gomez, Andrea Brillantes, Eric Fructuoso, Dennis Padilla, Nova Villa, Freddie Webb, Melissa Ricks, Anthony Taberna, Karen Davila and Ted Failon.

They were so starstruck that when the Jake Cuenca Kalokalike arrived, the screaming fans rushed to take photos only to realize a few minutes later that it wasn’t the real Jake Cuenca, who was in the US at that time for the Los Angeles leg of ABS-CBN’s One Run, One Philippines.

And they had a good laugh afterwards. One fan said, “Naka-Kalokalike!” 

The huge turnout of people in the Run for the Pasig River buoyed up ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez, who profusely thanked the crowd at the post-race program at the QC Circle.  Lopez, who was in high spirits, rallied the people to support the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

Under Lopez’s leadership, AFI and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission have so far led the cleaning of 16 esteros that has yielded positive results.  For Lopez, cleaning the environment will improve the health of the people living in those areas, boost business and land value, bring about peace and order, and ultimately make residents happy.

Lopez, who has mastered the art of public speaking, got the crowd cheering when she wished that Filipinos would rise from poverty and be happy.  “Mahal na mahal kayo ng ABS-CBN,” she said to the crowd who roared in approval.

When it was his turn to speak, MMDA chair Francis Tolentino said he could not match the energy level of Lopez, whom he described as “pinakamasipag na pinuno ng PRRC.”

At the Maria Mercedes booth, fans got the chance to be the iconic character, now played by Jessy Mendiola, similar to what happens in an audition. From kids to teenage girls and even gay men, they all gamely wore the Maria Mercedes’ signature red dress, sang and danced like Jessy. Celebrities Alex Castro, Isabelle de Leon, Chase Vega and John Manalo served as judges and gave feedback to the Maria Mercedes wannabes.

Jessy, who also performed at the event, was elated upon learning about the long line of people at the show’s booth. “Kahit sa mga social media may nag-se-send na sa akin ng mga pictures and videos na naka-red lipstick and red dress,” she revealed.

Her wish is for the Filipina Maria Mercedes to be iconic. With the turnout at the booth and the popularity of the character online, it won’t take long before Jessy gets her wish.

Twenty-year-old Rommel Pica and his girlfriend Raisa only wanted to catch It’s Showtime at the QC Circle, but he ended up being a celebrity for a day when he was asked to perform onstage at the second day of the Kapamilya event.

Rommel had joined the historic event’s voice workshops, and was later contacted by one of the staff to perform. For his number, Rommel chose to sing Erik Santos’ cover of the classic hit Ikaw.

Before serenading the throng of Kapamilya die-hards, Rommel shared the waiting area with Pinoy Big Brother grand winners Slater Young, Bea Saw and Myrtle Sarrosa.

“Even for just one day, I somehow felt how it was to be a famous celebrity. I was so exhilarated seeing and being with the people I only see on TV,” said Rommel, beaming.