Preparations on high gear for GMA 7’s Sunday All Stars

(Editor’s Note: While Bibsy Carballo is on her month-long annual vacation abroad, representatives from the three networks will alternate in writing Live Feed: Butch Raquel for Kapuso, Peachy Guioguio for Kapatid and Kane Choa for Kapamilya. Every now and then, Bibsy will email a story from wherever in Europe she is.)

The brightest and most promising Kapuso stars, guided by a top-notch production team, are leaving no stone unturned for GMA Network’s newest Sunday game and musical variety show, Sunday All Stars (SAS).

As what GMA Network’s officer-in-charge for Entertainment TV Lilybeth Rasonable puts it, “We always associate Sundays with fun and that’s what SAS promises to give the viewers — all-out-fun and excitement.”

“Sunday noon can truly be fun! There’s the enjoyment of watching world-class performances conceptualized by the artists themselves, plus the excitement of seeing your favorite stars engage in games and be real, competitive and creative,” adds GMA’s VP for Entertainment TV Marivin Arayata.

In preparation for the pilot episode, the network held a bonding activity for the much-awaited show’s cast members, staff and crew last June 9 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

According to show cast member Ogie Alcasid, the workshop was meant to foster camaraderie among the show’s more than 50 member-strong group of actors and performers.

“I suggested to the network executives and the show’s staff to have a team-building because while we know the new guys by name, we still want to know them really well. This workshop was such an eye-opener for us senior stars because we got to know the younger stars. I see a lot of different facets of their personalities now,” Ogie said.

The workshop, led by Sam Mendoza of Sparkz Konsulting, saw some of the country’s biggest stars undergo activities, such as the 4-Pics-1-Word-like game, Connect the Picture (wherein the show’s cast and crew shared their thoughts and feelings via random photos), the Art of Listening and Gratitude Circle. It was, as show director Rommel Gacho said, a very human moment for everyone involved in the show.

With the format of the new program, the cast members of Sunday All Stars will have the unique opportunity to further bond with one another. Every week, four teams composed of Kapuso stars will have an all-out showdown with each other via production numbers that the teams themselves put together. During its first month on air, Christian Bautista, Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Bautista and Jolina Magdangal will lead the teams.

The show’s “big four” Ogie, Janno Gibbs, Jaya and Regine Velasquez will judge who among the four groups gave the best performance for the week. Home viewers will also get the chance to vote for the best performers via SMS and online voting.

Joining them are some of the network’s best performing artists: Rachelle Ann Go, Solenn Heussaff, Jay R, Kris Lawrence, Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, Maricris Garcia, Frencheska Farr, Rochelle Pangilinan, Winwyn Marquez and Julie Anne San Jose.

Kapuso primetime stars Glaiza de Castro, Kris Bernal, Kylie Padilla, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes, Andrea Torres, Max Collins, Mark Herras, Rocco Nacino, Sam Pinto and Aljur Brenica are also in the mix.

GMA young stars also lend the show some youth and spunk: Bea Binene, Jake Vargas, Enzo Pineda, Kristoffer Martin, Derrick Monasterio, Diva Montelaba, Yassi Pressman, Ruru Madrid, Rita de Guzman, Denise Barbacena, Sef Cadayona and Barbie Forteza.

Also on hand to present the intense scenes behind the competition are three of GMA’s most standout beauties: Heart Evangelista, Carla Abellana and Lovi Poe. Janine Gutierrez will also provide the fans with an all-access pass for the most intimate and revealing happenings backstage and during each team’s meetings and rehearsals.

During the bonding and workshop session, new GMA 7 artist and Sunday All Stars team leader Christian   expressed his desire to get to know his teammates and make new friends in the Kapuso Network.

“I still want to know you more. Gusto kong maging kaibigan ninyo, katulong, kasangga. I appreciate my team so much because even if all of us are going through something, we want to help each other and better ourselves,” Christian said.

Fellow team leader Jennylyn is already preparing for the upcoming challenge of Sunday All Stars.

“Kanya-kanyang gimik, eh. So far, everything is okay. We have our respective Viber group. We are doing everything to bond and to strengthen our relationship. In this way, we can be comfortable with what we’re doing,”she said.

In high spirits, the actress exclaimed during one of the workshop’s activities: “Ang napi-picture ko sa utak ko, mag-nu-number one tayo!”

Ogie also shared with the group: “I believe we will be successful.”

Jaya said she feels refreshed as part of the new show. “Like anything new, you feel refreshed, recharged. This is a challenge that has been given to us and we intend to do our best,” she said.

Mark, who is part of Team Mark Bautista, said the bond they formed in their former Sunday show helped them as they prepare for the explosive premiere episode of Sunday All Stars.

“Iba yung bonding namin. Iba yung samahan ng grupo. We have already formed a unique friendship. Kahit natapos yung Party Pilipinas, lumalabas pa rin kami, we still get together.”

Mark added, “Hindi naman siya sobrang competition pero syempre may pressure rin, especially with the team leaders. Pero yung pinaka-preparation namin is dodoblehin namin yung energy and effort na binibigay namin. Yung pagiging professional within our group and for the show. Pagbubutihin namin. We’re so happy we’re part of this show.”

Sunday All Stars director Rommel is pleased with how the group has become a more cohesive unit, helping them become a force to be reckoned with during Sunday afternoons.

“Matagal na kaming naghahanda. The point of the workshop is to really get the group together and for them to get to know each other,” Rommel said.

“It’s something new; it’s something you haven’t seen on TV. Maraming talent shows na may nag-pe-perform ang mga contestants. But this time, the stars themselves play the role of the contestants.”

Catch the premiere of Sunday All Stars on Sunday, June 16, on GMA.