Dong-Yan fever hits Sublian and Sandugo Festivals

CEBU, Philippines - “Dong-Yan! Dong-Yan!” roared the crowd as real-life celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, in rare occasions, reunited on stage to perform before thousands of supporters during the recently-held Sublian Festival in Batangas and Sandugo Festival in Bohol.

“Ito ang nami-miss namin ni Marian, ang GMA regional shows. At gusto naming gawin ito paminsan-minsan dahil we are free to play around with our fans na nagmamahal sa amin,” said multi-awarded actor, host, and producer Dingdong.

Sharing the same enthusiasm, Marian, reigning sexiest woman in the country, added, “Ngayon lang ulit ako nakakapag-show sa iba’t-ibang lugar at natutuwa ako na madalas akong may fans’ day ngayon.”

Marian and Dingdong led a huge group of Kapuso stars for the annual celebration of the Sublian and Sandugo Festivals and in both occasions, the couple stirred the audience to an ecstatic state as they bannered the highlight of every Kapuso event—the Kapuso Night—by sharing song and dance numbers dedicated to their fans.

The Sublian Festival was marked by a star-studded Kapuso Day last July 20 courtesy of GMA Regional TV, Batangas City’s third-time media and event partner for the mounting of the said merrymaking.

Held at the Batangas City Sports Center Coliseum, the Kapuso Day featured a number of GMA’s prominent stars—Mundo Mo’y Akin’s Alden Richards, Louise de los Reyes, Lauren Young, and Rita de Guzman; Ana Karenina’s Krystal Reyes, Barbie Forteza, Joyce Ching, Derrick Monasterio, Julian Trono, Hiro Peralta, and Joanna Marie Tan; Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas’ Rocco Nacino, Steven Silva, and Charee Pineda; With A Smile’s Mikael Daez, Andrea Torres, RJ Padilla, Jack Roberto, and Shelley Hipolito; Maghihintay Pa Rin’s Bianca King, Rafael Rosell, Dion Ignacio, JC Tiuseco, and Diva Montelaba; Mga Basang Sisiw’s Mike Tan, Renz Valerio, Bianca Umali, Kimberly Faye, Hershey Garcia, Mico Zarsadias, and Maxene Magalona; Kakambal Ni Eliana’s Kim Rodriguez, Enzo Pineda, and Kristoffer Martin; and Binoy Henyo’s David Remo, Sheena Halili, Luis Alandy, and Angel Satsumi.

Adding more star power to the event were Sunday All Stars mainstays Kylie Padilla, Jonalyn Viray, Wynwyn Marquez, Yassi Pressman, and Ruru Madrid; and GMA Artist Center talents Ryza Cenon, Thea Tolentino, Jeric Gonzales, Mikoy Morales, Vanness del Moral, Dominic Roco, Lovely Embuscado, Elle Ramirez, Zandra Summer, Bryan Benedict, and Juancho Trivino.

Also present were Kusina Master’s Chef Boy Logro, Alisto’s Arnold Clavio and Pinoy MD hosts Connie Sison and Dr. Raul “Q” Quillamor. The event was hosted by Isabelle Daza, Chynna Ortaleza, Pekto, John Feir, Boobay, and Anna Maris Igpit.

Meanwhile, present during the culmination of the Sublian Festival last July 23 were Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez, Dennis Trillo, Victor Basa, Kevin Santos, Karel Marquez, and Pancho Magno — cast members of GMA’s daring and most-talked about primetime program My Husband’s Lover. They participated in the Parada at Sublian sa Kalye aboard a Kapuso float and afterwards headed to SM City Lipa for a Kapuso Mall Show.

Bohol’s annual commemoration of the blood compact between Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi dubbed Sandugo Festival was no less remarkable as GMA brought Marian and Dingdong to lead and highlight the said festivity.

Throngs of people flocked to Tagbilaran City’s CPG Sports Complex amid the heavy rain during the Kapuso Night in Bohol’s Sandugo Festival last July 28 where sweethearts Marian and Dingdong, surprised by the overwhelming number of audience, set the stage on fire much to the delight of their fans.

Top-rating afternoon drama series Maghihintay Pa Rin cast Bianca King, Dion Ignacio, JC Tiuseco, and Diva Montelaba also sang and danced the night away for their Bol-anon supporters asking a fan or two to join them on stage. Rafael Rosell joined his Maghihintay Pa Rin co-stars earlier that day in the Sandugo Festival parade where thousands of fans watched and followed them as they toured the main streets of Tagbilaran, oblivious to the mid-day heat and the unmoving flocks of supporters. (FREEMAN)