All-out Sundays is back on air

All-out Sundays (AOS) is finally back on air. This is what Kapuso viewers witnessed last Sunday, after months of streaming on Facebook and YouTube. The weekend variety show was seen on TV when it premiered and thereafter early this year, then went online when it was disrupted and challenged by the pandemic. It is now online and on-air under the “new normal.” The business of show, like all other creative industries, must go on and must adapt to the changing landscape.
“I’m super excited that (the show is back ) on air,” said Rayver Cruz in a recent media call days prior to the show’s airing on GMA Network. “We, as AOS artists, are always looking forward to what we do every Sunday, na maipapalabas na kami ulit sa TV at excited na mapanood ulit kami ng mga Kapuso (that we can be seen as part of the regular programming and Kapuso viewers can watch us on their small screen).”
As for Ken Chan, the feeling was like “doing a pilot for a show,” he said. “It’s been almost four months na... puro Facebook lang kami, puro online shows... Nakaramdam ako ulit ng kaba at excitement, parang bago ang lahat. (I feel again that jitter and excitement, which are common feelings when one is doing a live show).”

Rita Daniela, the perennial loveteam mate of Ken, shared the same view by saying, “I miss the pressure of doing a live show...The adrenaline is different, nakaka-miss din yung ganun...

Everything is live.” This is true, especially in segments where the mainstays, aside from doing their spiels, engage in real-time talks.
This piece of good news calls for a celebration as resident comedian Boobay put it: “Ilang ding buwan tayong napapanood sa Facebook and YouTube. This time around, we can reach more Kapuso, especially those who are in the provinces. We’re all privileged and grateful to be given the chance to broadcast our show again.” It means AOS can fully bring its brand of entertainment to audiences nationwide. “Not everybody has access to the Internet,” said Rita. “This time, it’s fun because they can (also) watch us on TV.”

From top left, clockwise: Julie Anne San Jose, Aicelle Santos, Thea Astley and Golden Cañedo sing the hits of Side A

To compare the upcoming AOS episodes to the ones it has done on social media platforms, one can expect improvements in presentation. “Lahat nag-improve ngayon,” said Ken, “talagang pinaghandaan namin. We have lights (set-up and) equipment so that (when segments) are shown on TV, they will be pleasing to the eyes of the viewers.”

With that, artists are also in charge of the nitty-gritty of the production (like sounds, make-up, wardrobe and props).
“It has somehow tested our creativity,” said Boobay, “I have a background and made it painted.” This also speaks of each other’s diskarte, an approach to doing things, as Rayver said, “In my case, particularly, in my dancing, pinagkasya ko sarili ko sa green screen bilang matangkad ako.” Brother Rodjun Cruz, also a mainstay, also helps him out in dance videos. “We do the production number (which either requires us to dance or sing). Then, the production people enhance it on their end (putting two performers on the same frame or adding some effects).” It is shown in The Stay Home Party sing-dance group segment of Alden Richards (doing a Savage Love Tiktok), Julie Anne San Jose (in Say So by Doja Cat), Rayver and Miguel Tanfelix, Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista, and Jeremiah Tiangco and Garrett Bolden. The opening number presentation reminds one of the eye-catching music television videos (MTVs) and the beauty of editing and montage.

From top left, clockwise: Rayver Cruz, Alden, Ken Chan, Julie Anne, Kyline Alcantara and Gabbi Garcia.

It continues on with the Four the Win of Aicelle Santos, Julie Anne, Golden Cañedo and Thea Astley that paid tribute to the music of Side A band (with hits like Forevermore, Set You Free, Hold On and So Many Questions), the duet of Ken and Rita, the part of Kyline Alcantara and Gabbi Garcia, and the Kahit Kailan segment with its singer Bianca Umali, Rodjun and Mikee Quintos. Kapuso had fun watching No Talent Show, led by Ai-Ai delas Alas, Paolo Contis and Boobay with EA Guzman and John Feir as guests. Complementing the throwback music segment was the dance-game challenge (that featured songs such as Always, Dying Inside to Hold You, Macarena and Vogue) with Betong Sumaya, Alden, Miguel, Glaiza de Castro, Rodjun and Kyline.

Airing AOS on GMA or streaming it on Facebook and YouTube is a collaborative work. The real challenge, however, is the synchronization of everything (given each artist’s Internet connection). Some production work needs to be taped as live or recorded. “Dasal, dasal na lang,” “kapit na lang” and “mag-sasaluhan na lang” were the answers offered by the artists when being confronted by this.

Like what the show promises, AOS provides all-out fun and entertainment regardless of medium or platform.