An all-out, inspirational Sunday to kick off GMA’s 71st year

Week after week, without or with pandemic, the mainstays of All-Out Sundays (AOS) live up to their show’s title. Today, they cannot also afford to show any signs of slowing down, performance-wise, as the musical-comedy and variety program kicks off GMA 7’s 71st anniversary.

“A lot of Kapuso artists will be with us, we’re trying to get them all,” said Christian Bautista of what viewers can expect from the two-Sundays AOS special episode in a media conference via Zoom. “We’re gonna put them all together in one jam-packed show.”

Julie Anne San Jose added that the AOS barkada and Kapuso personalities come together in giving joy to Filipinos out there. This means one thing: “(Expect) an all-out kantahan, all-out sayawan, all-out saya,” said Ruru Madrid.

Aside from ushering in the station’s milestone, AOS will also take the time to inspire viewers in this time of the pandemic. “’Yung hirap na pinagdadaanan natin ay hindi talaga biro ‘yan (The challenge that we’re going through during these trying times is no joke),” said Julie Anne. “Ang mas totoo talaga sa atin eh yung pag-asa at yung magtulong-tulungan tayong lahat (The reality is that there’s hope and we need to support each other).”

Barbie Forteza, who joined the show early this year, shared that getting herself vaccinated is among the things she looks forward to before the year ends. “Mababawasan yung takot kong magtrabaho sa labas,” she said. “It would motivate me to do more. Mapanatag ako na safe ako at ang family ko.” With hope and help from one another, everything is possible.

As for the AOS team, the show must go on because entertainment is essential in uplifting everyone’s spirits.

“Every Sunday ay palaging may binibigay na bago ang all-Out Sundays,” replied Julie Anne when asked about her two memorable moments so far in the show. “For me, (first is) the birth of All-Out Sundays and (the second is) that we will celebrate the 71st anniversary of GMA.”

Christian agreed with the Heartful Café star by saying that “the creation of All-Out Sundays comes from one of the best noontime shows that has ever been with GMA, that’s Sunday Pinasaya… The challenge (for us) is how to keep that up, keep the energy, keep the fun, keep the elements, the music, the people. And I’m happy to say that we’ve been able to do that, that we’ve been able to successfully create this entirely new show, All-Out Sundays.”

As a performer, Ruru considered his interaction with the studio audience a memorable moment and missed it the most doing in the new normal.

“Pre-pandemic, I started with AOS as part of the group OGs and we would give (female members of the) audience flowers,” he recalled, “and sa mga supporters mo na nabibigyan mo sila nang bulaklak, napapasaya mo sila sa ganoong pamamaraan.” The actor was also grateful for the support the AOS team has given Ruru to improve his performing skills. “(They would always tell me) ‘Ruru, you can do it,’” said he, “‘You just need to focus and prove that you can.’”

Barbie, on the other hand, said her first Cypher appearance was a memorable moment as she had to level up her dancing. “’pag sa Cypher talaga, all-out, lahat ng parte ng katawan mo gumagalaw, di ba? with facial expression,” said she. “After that first Cypher, I was very happy and I felt like I was part of napaka-astig na dance crew.” It’s safe to say that Barbie will try to give her all every time she gets to do the segment.

Joining the AOS special episode are Carla Abellana, Arnold Clavio, Dingdong Dantes, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Mike Enriquez, Eugene Domingo, Heart Evangelista, Jennylyn Mercado, Vicky Morales, Lovi Poe, Alden Richards, Howie Severino, Tom Rodriguez, Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Dennis Trillo and Michael V.

Also in the guest list are the stars of Bubble Gang, Pepito Manaloto, Daddy’s Gurl, Dear Uge, Catch Me Out Philippines, iBilib, Centerstage, Mars Pa More, Sarap ’Di Ba, Taste Buddies, Farm To Table, Eat, Bulaga!, First Yaya and upcoming GMA series, Legal Wives, Nagbabagang Luha, Las Hermanas and The World Between Us.

With that, the AOS barkada can’t wait to provide the all-out, inspirational saya.