Alden, Sarah G bring concert series to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — In a rare instance, stars from rival networks, Alden Richards and Sarah Geronimo, shared the concert stage as a treat to loyal patrons of a shared endorsement. For a night, the lines were blurred between Kapuso and Kapamilya – what mattered that evening was the story behind these stars’ triumphs.

The Pambansang Bae and the Pop Princess electrified the stage at the Hoops Dome of Lapu-Lapu City as they headlined Cebuana Lhuillier’s “Thank You for 30!” concert series in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary in the microfinance business.                          Also joining Alden and Sarah were Erik Santos who serenaded fans with love song medleys, Ronnie Liang who belted classics like “Ngayon at Kailanman” and “Ngiti,” and Viva talents Julian Trono and Ella Cruz with their sultry “Versace on the Floor” dance routine.

Sarah performed tracks like “Ikot-Ikot” and “Kilometro” with the G-Force. Alden performed his trademark songs and a number of boyband favorites. The two then shared the stage for a rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”

Fans from all sides of the party trooped to the Hoops Dome despite the downpour, some of them even hailing from Luzon. With light sticks, LED sign boards, even snapbacks that lit up and more, fans displayed their enthusiasm at seeing their idols in the flesh.

“Come to think of it, ang layo ng GMA at ABS-CBN dito. Grabe, to share the stage with pop royalty, Miss Sarah G, nakaka-nerbyos pa rin,” an out of breath, almost shy Alden said after their big number, adding that every time he sees Sarah on stage, he always gets floored by her performance.

Sarah and Alden thanked Cebuana Lhuillier not only for the opportunity to perform together but also for supporting them since their humble beginnings.

Before Sarah won “Star For A Night” which then changed the course of her life, her mommy Divine would see what she could glean from their belongings and run to Cebuana Lhuillier in Santa Cruz, Manila when they got hard up, even loaning her wedding ring to make ends meet. The money would also be used to primp up Sarah for auditions.

“Totoo po yung nasa commercial. Naging suki po kami sa mga panahong gipit kami,” Sarah reveals. “Tyinaga talaga ng magulang ko lahat, and for me surreal ang lahat ng blessings na ito.”

Alden, before becoming the sensational star that he is now, also looked to a branch in Santa Rosa, Laguna to send money to his family. The actor quipped that despite not recovering some of the belongings they loaned out, every sacrifice that led them up to this day was worth it and that they are unashamed of the things they had to do for their family and their dreams.

The company, which was established by then French ambassador Señor Henri Lhuillier three decades ago, planted its seeds in the Queen City of the South as a place where locals can run to in times of dire need. Starting off as a pawning business known as Agencia Cebuana, Cebuana Lhuillier has been run by generations of Lhuilliers and now includes micro loans and even insurance in their services throughout thousands of outlets nationwide.

“It’s a great feeling to bring our 30th anniversary celebration where it all started. Cebuana Lhuillier traces its roots to Cebu, a place dear to my family, so we’ve come full circle,” says Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The Cebu leg of the “Thank You for 30!” concert series was the second stop, having opened at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 1 in Manila. It will conclude in Davao City on the 20th of October. (FREEMAN)