GMA hits Western Visayas and Southern Mindanao

CEBU, Philippines - The Kapuso network brought its A-listers to the regions to take part in the activities lined up for the celebration of various festivals. These include the Paraw Regatta, Bago City Charter Day, Bayawan City, and the Kalilangan 2011 held in Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and General Santos City, respectively.

In Iloilo City, the Kapuso Night celebration for the colorful Paraw Regatta was held at the Villa Beach. A crowd of 15,000 people partied with Party Pilipinas’ resident Bad Boy on the Dance Floor Mark Herras; one of Bubble Gang’s resident hunk, Wendell Ramos; and one of the leading ladies in the upcoming soap My Lover, My Wife, Nadine Samonte.

At Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, the stars of primetime fantaserye Dwarfina and Party Pilipinas joined forces for the Tawo-Tawo Festival.

The GMA contingent composed of Will Devaughn, Vaness del Moral, Angelika Dela Cruz, and Mico Aytona participated in the Kapuso Street Dancing and Float Parade and the Kapuso Night at the Bayawan Integrated Center.

The line-up was further beefed up with the presence of Party Pilipinas’ Iza Calzado and Rochelle Pangilinan, together with Bubble Gang’s Maureen Larrazabal. More than 10,000 people flocked to the venue.

“All of our hard work and preparations paid off. Seeing this huge turnout is enough reward for all of our effort,” commented Jocelyn Bautista, Program Manager for Entertainment TV-Regional.

Meanwhile, in Bago City’s Charter Day celebration, the stars of Pablo S. Gomez’s Machete took centerstage, from comedienne Chariz Solomon to female leads Ryza Cenon and Bela Padilla.

When Machete himself finally appeared onstage, screams and shrills filled the air. Aljur also took a lady from the audience to join him onstage.

Local Kapuso personalities John Arceo and Ana Maris Igpit hosted the show, while Adrian Bobe facilitated the on-ground games which were held before the main show.

Kabalikat Civicom Group estimated that the crowd numbered to 15,000 to 20,000.

After Visayas, the Kapuso contingent flew to the country’s tuna capital – General Santos City, for the Kalilangan Festival. Kapuso stars led by Mark Anthony Fernandez, Katrina Halili, Maureen Larrazabal, and Will Devaughn starred in the Kapuso Night held at the convention center of the KCC Mall of Gensan.

Mark Anthony and Katrina both came off from the rousing success of their respective teleserye – Little Star and Beauty Queen, respectively.

Prior to the main show, the crowd – estimated to be at 4,500 – was treated to an episode marathon of the newest Kapuso show Nita Negrita. They also readily participated in the games prepared for them and was facilitated by Starstruck alumnus Chuck Allie and local personality Resci Rizada.

Bautista said, “All of these efforts are part of the network’s commitment of bringing superior entertainment to our Kapuso in the regions.”

Apart from its participation in the festivals, mall shows featuring the various programs and shows of GMA Network and its personalities will unfurl in key cities and various points in the country.

“The Network’s rollout of exciting activities and star-studded events for this year is surely something that our Kapusos from all over the regions can expect. We also expect more first-time partnerships with LGUs just like the recently concluded Tawo-Tawo Festival,” said Oliver Amoroso, assistant vice president for Regional Marketing and Sales.