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A METEOR SHOWER OF (ABS-CBN) STARS IN CEBU
MANILA, May 9, 2005 (STAR) By Leah C. Salterio - ABS-CBN Cebu station manager Tata Cinco-Sy couldn’t have said it any better. Last weekend, the Queen City of the South was treated to a bevy of the brightest TV talents who created unbelievable euphoria among Cebuanos for ABS-CBN’s weekend extravaganza, Daghang Salamat Cebu. More than a hundred stars of the network, led by comedy king Dolphy, Charo Santos, Maricel Soriano, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Kris Aquino, sizzled in Cebu’s major venues — much to the thrill and excitement of the fans.
The star-studded weekend spectacle took three months in the making. Unlike the skyrocketing figures spent by the rival network, ABS-CBN’s Daghang Salamat Cebu was mounted with a meager budget yet with great results.
In the press conference at the ABS-CBN Cebu station, Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN executive vice president and entertainment head, disclosed that the participating shows of the network merely spent their regular episode budgets and brought their respective programs to Cebu. The event had the full support of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group (RNG), headed by vice president Ron Valdueza, with Cebu station manager Tata Cinco-Sy and Visayas cluster head Jerry Bennett.
"Daghang Salamat Cebu is our way of giving back to the viewers in Cebu who have been supporting ABS-CBN for the past 15 years," said Charo.
More importantly, it was the bayanihan spirit of the Cebuanos that clearly pulled ABS-CBN through. Food overflowed from various restaurants. Vehicles for use of the network’s stars, production staff and executives were sent by Cebuano friends. There were even those who donated streamers and give-aways. Hotels offered their rooms for barter.
"We wouldn’t have mounted our Cebu caravan without the help of the Cebuanos who are true-blue kapamilyas all the way," said Deo Endrinal, ABS-CBN vice president for talk, variety and reality.
The ABS-CBN summer caravan actually started in early April with Willie Revillame’s noontime show, Wowowee, which did a successful remote airing in Bicol. This was followed by the equally-successful Northern Luzon leg which covered Tarlac, Dagupan and Baguio City. After Cebu, Charo said the summer caravan will also go to Davao, Bacolod and Iloilo.
ABS-CBN clearly left no stones unturned to ensure a successful weekend event that will reinforce its affinity with the Cebuanos, who have made ABS-CBN No. 1 for the past 15 years. The summer caravan is part of the overall campaign of the network to bring its programs and talents closer to its provincial audiences. It is also the network’s way of saying thank you for making ABS-CBN the industry leader nationwide.
The Daghang Salamat Cebu juggernaut kicked off with the well-received Quizon Avenue mall show on April 29. The stars of the musical-gag show, led by Dolphy, rocked the Gaisano Super Metro Mall in Mandaue. Thousands gathered at the mall’s activity area to watch Dolphy and his sons, Jeffrey and Vandolph, as well as comedians Pokwang, Yachang and Kitkat, with sexy singer-TV host Jenny Hernandez.
The crowd was said to be the biggest so far that converged in the mall. Ardent Dolphy fans trooped to the mall several hours before it opened at 9 a.m. They excitedly waited for the ace comedian and when he finally emerged onstage in his signature comical way, the fans were ecstatic. A 79-year-old woman even traveled by land for several hours just to see Dolphy in the flesh.
Chit Guerrero, ABS-CBN vice president for special projects, noted the stage at the activity area was shaking perhaps due to the multitude who swarmed the venue wanting to be entertained by the comedy king.
The mall show also showcased the talents of Sabado na Gyud hosts — Neda Aviñante, Janice Mae Miral, Raven, Sunshine Cunanan and Candy Cabahug. The said regional program is the undisputed No. 1 daytime variety show in Central Visayas and has won the KBP Golden Dove award and Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).
That same night, Search for Star in a Million Champions League of 5 — Ryan Racal, Jerome Sala, Mabel Bacusmo, Nikki Bacolod and Jona Lumbera — packed Ratsky to the rafters for their mini-concert. The five finalists have obviously gained a growing legion of Cebuano followers. Ryan, a native of Cebu, is now a certified singing star in his hometown. When he arrived at the Mactan Domestic Airport, Ryan was welcomed with a throng of screaming fans outside the terminal, complete with banners and streamers.
The next day, Saturday saw the live morning show of Sabado na Gyud at the Ayala Center parking lot. The afternoon intensified with the motorcade of ABS-CBN stars. The two-hour motorcade traversed through the main thoroughfares of Cebu starting from the ABS-CBN regional station along the stretch of J.P. Rizal in Mandaue on to Juan Luna, the reclamation road, Colon and Fuente Osmeña, culminating in the city proper.
Thousands of star-crazed Cebuanos endured the heat of the sun, lined both sides of the streets and shrieked at the mere sight of an ABS-CBN star. Leading the starry mid-afternoon caravan was ABS-CBN executive vice president Charo Santos-Concio, more popularly known to Cebuanos as the host of the longest-running drama anthology on TV, Maalaala Mo Kaya. Charo was obviously a popular figure among Cebuanos, so that fans from six to 60 shouted her name on the streets.
"I’m very happy with the warm response of the Cebuanos in the motorcade," Charo said. "It reminded me of my earlier days in showbiz when I rode floats for Metro Manila Film Festival entries like Julian Makabayan in 1979 and Kisapmata in 1981."
Other ABS-CBN who joined the motorcade were Kampanerang Kuba lead Anne Curtis, Hunks Jericho Rosales and Carlos Agassi, Star in a Million champ Erik Santos, Sandara Park, Patrick Garcia, Shaina Magdayao, young love team Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo, Roderick Paulate, Amy Perez, Marvin Agustin, Nikki Gil, Angelica Panganiban, Jodi Sta. Maria, AJ Dee, Raphael Martinez and DM Sevilla.
Cebuanos, however, couldn’t seem to get enough of the ABS-CBN stars. In fact, after the motorcade, the ABS-CBN office and the network’s AM radio in Cebu were swamped with calls from fans who complained on why the convoy of cars didn’t pass by their streets. There were thousands more who apparently waited for the starry road caravan just to get a glimpse of their idols. The motorcade had to be curtailed so as not to create a monstrous traffic jam in the city, which could mean more serious complaints from vehicle owners, drivers, commuters and other residents.
Later that afternoon, Kapamilya talents invaded the malls with simultaneous shows. Vietnam Rose stars Angelica Panganiban, AJ Dee, Michelle Madrigal, Joseph Bitangcol and Jayson Abalos stormed Robinson’s Place Cebu. The cast of Kampanerang Kuba — Patrick Garcia, Marco Alcaraz and Jodi Santamaria — performed at Gaisano Country mall. Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin stars Shaina Magdayao, DM Sevilla and Raphael Martinez were seen at Super Metro Mandaue.
A stampede ensued at Ayala Center Cebu when ASAP Mania regulars Erik Santos, Carlos Agassi, Jericho Rosales, Anna Fegi, Bituin Escalante and young group Anime rocked the Activity Center.
Joross Gamboa, Roxanne Guinoo and Melissa Ricks of SCQ Reload with Chokoleit delighted the crowd at JY Square. Elizabeth Mall saw Roderick Paulate, Amy Perez, Marvin Agustin and Nikki Gil of MRS granting the requests of our Cebuano Kapamilyas.
The simultaneous mall shows turned out to be an unprecedented feat in Cebu. Never before had the malls been simultaneously visited by a multitude of stars and a vibrant throng of devoted fans.
The Labor Day treats on Sunday, May 1, saw the drawing power of ABS-CBN stars at Ayala Center, which attracted a huge crowd of Cebuano fans for ASAP Mania. There were more who trooped to Plaza Independencia for the live airing of ASAP Fanatics, followed by The Buzz. Total crowd estimate in all venues where ABS-CBN live shows and mall shows swelled to more than 100,000.
"It’s like the entire Cebu is here (at Plaza Independencia)," noted one spectator. "All Cebuanos are happy because they have not seen so many stars like they have today. This doesn’t happen everyday."
A special night of singing for the music-loving Cebuano Kapamilyas was held again at the Ayala Center, where the ongoing Search for Star in a Million took center stage, with the "Champions" Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos presenting the show’s Champions League of 5. A summer Kapamilya party bash culminated the day’s set of fun-filled and exciting activities.
The star-studded activities extended to Monday, when MRS aired live from Tambuli Beach Club in Mactan, with hosts Roderick Paulate, Amy Perez, Marvin Agustin and Nikki Gil, joined by an array of popular guest stars.
ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs Group (NCAG) also did its share in bolstering ABS-CBN’s lead in Cebu by airing Magandang Umaga Bayan from Plantation Bay, simultaneous with Studio 23’s Breakfast at Tambuli Beach Club.
But Daghang Salamat Cebu wasn’t only a weekend of fun and entertainment. It was also a time for reaching out and sharing blessings. As part of the outreach program of Bantay Bata Cebu, ABS-CBN stars visited orphanages and other children’s centers thereby expanding the benevolent public service that ABS-CBN has been known to do through the years.
Charo Santos turned emotional when a blind resident of the Haven Center for Women and Children rendered a song number for her. Quizon Avenue stars were likewise tearful when they visited the Cebu Hope Center, home to 75 abused and abandoned children. Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann, the now-popular love team behind the primetime drama series Hiram, delighted the kids at Parian Drop-In Center.
From all aspects, Daghang Salamat Cebu was undoubtedly a successful undertaking that only ABS-CBN can pull off. The star power alone of ABS-CBN talents remains unrivaled. As Cebuano news anchor Rico Lucena commented, ABS-CBN can also mean All the Biggest Stars Come from the Brightest Network. Couple that with the technology that makes it possible for Filipinos all over the world to see ABS-CBN shows – that has yet to be equaled, too.
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