Kapuso stars spice up this year’s Sinulog Festival

CEBU, Philippines — Even before the entire country sees the highly-anticipated local adaptation of hit Korean series “Descendants of the Sun (DOTS),” GMA Network, through GMA Regional TV, is giving Kapusong Cebuanos an exceptional treat this weekend by bringing to Cebu no less than the Philippines’ Big Boss and Beauty – Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado, respectively, together with Rocco Nacino – as part of the celebration of the Sinulog Festival.

But before the DOTS cast makes waves in Cebu, Asia’s Pop Diva and “All-Out Sundays” host Julie Anne San Jose revs up the Sinulog festivities in a Kapuso Mall Show at Gaisano Fiesta Mall Tabunok South today at 4 p.m.

Joining Julie Anne are the stars of the upcoming TV adaptation of the popular 1984 movie “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday” – Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza and promising actress Kate Valdez together with Kapuso heartthrob Migo Adecer.

Completing the Kapuso line-up this Friday and sure to give their fans a kilig-filled afternoon are Kyline Alcantara and Yasser Marta of the TV adaptation of the 1989 award-wining blockbuster movie, “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.”

Julie Anne, Barbie, Kate, Migo, Kyline, and Yasser are set to extend the celebration to another Kapuso Mall Show later that evening – this time around in The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu at 6 p.m.

Tomorrow, Cebu gets first glimpse of the powerhouse cast of the Philippines’ “Descendants of the Sun” (DOTS) with no less than Big Boss (Dingdong), Beauty (Jennylyn), and Wolf (Rocco) meeting their Kapuso fans.

Reporting for duty as well that day are DOTS cast members Lucho Ayala, Jon Lucas, Paul Salas, Prince Clemente, Andre Paras, Hailey Mendes, and Chariz Solomon.

The DOTS team gives Kapusong Cebuanos back-to-back events to look forward to: a Kapuso Mall Show at Gaisano Island Mall in Mactan at 4 p.m. and a Kapuso Fiesta at Robinsons Galleria Cebu at 6 p.m.

The following day (Jan. 19), Dingdong, Jennylyn, Rocco, and the rest of the DOTS cast set the Sinulog Grand Parade ablaze as they board the Kapuso Float and tour the major streets of Cebu City.

Meanwhile, TV viewers will get a VIP seat view of the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade starting at 8 a.m. The “Pit Senyor: The Balitang Bisdak Special Live Coverage” will be hosted by the anchors of GMA Regional TV’s top-rating and award-winning local newscast in Central and Eastern Visayas, Bobby Nalzaro, Alan Domingo, and Cecile Quibod-Castro, together with “Balitang Bisdak” correspondents Lou Ann Mae Rondina, and Nikko Sereno.

“2020 is a very significant year for GMA Network since we are celebrating our 70th anniversary,” says GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso.

“For our participation in Cebu’s Sinulog Festival, we are having no less than Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado leading the powerhouse line-up of artists joining this week’s festivities. Like our Kapusong Cebuanos, we at GMA Regional TV are also excited for what is in store for us this 2020, beginning with the launch of these pioneering and innovative programs – ‘All-Out Sundays,’ ‘Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday,’ ‘Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit,’ and ‘Descendants of the Sun.’ Our Kapuso in the regions can only expect the best from the country’s best station,” he ends.

DOTS sees the onscreen love team of Dingdong as Captain Lucas Manalo or ‘Big Boss’ and Jennylyn as Dr. Maxine dela Cruz a.k.a.

‘Beauty’. Rocco, on the other hand, is as Diego Ramos or ‘Wolf.’ Also part of DOTS is Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Moira Defensor. Joining Jon, Paul, and Prince in the Soldiers Team are Ricardo Cepeda and Antonio Aquitania, while joining Andre and Chariz in the Doctors and Nurses Team are Nicole Donesa, Jenzel Angeles, Reese Tuazon, and Renz Fernandez. DOTS also stars Neil Ryan Sese, Ian Ignacio, Rich Asuncion, Marina Benipayo, and Roi Vinzon. Dominic Zapata helms this show.

“Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday” is the TV adaptation of the popular 1984 movie with the same title and brings together a remarkable cast composed of Ms. Snooky Serna and Ms. Dina Bonnevie. Completing the cast are Migo Adecer, Jay Manalo, Teresa Loyzaga, Faith da Silva, Tanya Montenegro, Benedict Cua and Ms. Celia Rodriguez. The drama also features the special participation of Jason Abalos, Pinky Amador, Mike ‘Pekto’ Nacua, Yanna Montenegro, Franco Gray Nerona, and Lovi Poe and Max Collins. Mark Sicat dela Cruz is at the helm of this project.

The TV adaptation of the 1989 award-wining blockbuster movie “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” sees three of the brightest actresses of their generations: together with Kyline are Ms. Mylene Dizon and Superstar Nora Aunor. Joining them are Zoren Legaspi, Gabby Eigenmann, Ina Feleo, Yasser Marta, Divina Valencia, and Isabel Rivas. The series, which is set to air this February, is under the helm of critically-acclaimed director Laurice Guillen.