Kapamilya rocks Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines – It didn’t surprise me at all when ABS-CBN Visayas Cluster head/station manager Veneranda Sy confirmed through Creative Communications Management-Cebu head Jayne Abella that the Kapamilya network enjoys an audience share of 65 percent in this Queen City of the South. I myself witnessed Cebuanos’ warm response when they came in droves to see up close the 73 artists and 25 dancers who flew in from Manila for the live airing of ASAP Rocks Cebu last March 27.

“Not many people might go there (ASAP venue) because it’s far from the city proper,” said our taxi driver Saturday night when we went out for dinner.

But he was wrong. The Sugbu Grounds in South Road Properties was a sea of people hours before the three-hour noontime variety show started. Some foreign tourists were also spotted in the audience.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and other local officials also came to watch with the network’s station manager. It was the first time a show was held at the South Road Properties which is projected to become the province’s next central business district that can generate more jobs for Cebuanos.

Star Power girls Krissel Valdez, K-La Rivera, Akiko Solon and Monica Sacay

Signaling the start of an all-star Sunday afternoon party was the energy- sapping production number of Melai Cantiveros with young Cebuano performers in colorful costumes.

Everyone cheered as Jericho Rosales, Christian Bautista, Jed Madela and Erik Santos followed with a song number. Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, Rayver Cruz and Rafael Rossell got the crowd grooving while showing off some footwork with the G-Force.

Matteo Guidicelli, Enchong Dee and Gerald Anderson displayed vocal skills. Sarah Geronimo, Vina Morales, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera, on the other hand, hit the stage with a medley of songs.

Suddenly, the Kapamilya marshalls and some of the local government’s security personnel went on full alert. Reason: Almost half of the more than 60,000 people started pushing forward especially those standing meters away from the stage. 

From left: Luis Manzano, Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales

What came next was the announcement that the show might be cut short if the crowd becomes too unruly.

Luis Manzano kept reminding the audience to “behave” so they could go on with the show. Martin, too, requested them to cooperate.

But Cebuanos could not contain their excitement when Karylle, Erik and Zsa Zsa came out belting teleserye themes starting from Mula Sa Puso with the soap’s lead stars Lauren Young, Enrique Gil and JM de Guzman ascending on stage. Gary followed with Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin while the cameras were focused to Andi Eigenmann and Maja Salvador. The loudest screams reverberated as Julia Montes, Kathryn Bernardo and Albie Casiño of Mara Clara waved at the overwhelming crowd, proving the TV series is tops in the list of most-watched soaps. Keeping the energy in real high were the ASAP Sessionistas who performed along with Zia Quizon and Robin Nievera.

Various performances from Venus Raj, Lara Quigaman, Kim Chiu, Erich Gonzales, Gab Valenciano, Dino Imperial, AJ Perez, Jako Benin, Star Power girls K-La Rivera, Monica Sacay, Akiko Solon and Krissel Valdez, PBB’s Fretzie Bercede and the Supahdance kids received warm applause.

The Kapamilya network also launched its summer station ID featuring the stars of ABS-CBN shows — from variety to drama. Its theme Bida Best Sa Tag-Araw was performed by Angeline Quinto and Vincent Bueno. Watching the stars in their summer get-up while happily jumping up and down gave you an idea of spending summer in the most relaxed, stress-free way.

ASAP Sessionistas perform with Robin Nievera (third from right)

 (ABS-CBN’s Regional Network Group announces the availability of its Kapamilya Fiesta Shirt Collection at Fiesta Favorite Stores in SM Iloilo and Cebu, Robinsons Place Iloilo and at the SM Kultura section of SM Iloilo, Delgado, Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro. Limited ASAP Rocks Cebu shirts are available at Sugbu Grounds and Island City Mall in Tagbilaran, Cebu.)