New platform for network promotions

Author: Isah V. Red
Column: Life & Entertainment

Broadcast networks take advantage of crowds converging in cities for the annual festivals by seizing the moment. Carpe diem, as it is called in Latin.

Last weekend we were in Cebu in time for the Sinulog festivities and upon the invitation of GMA Network Inc. There were three of us from various publications in Manila—Nestor Cuartero of Tempo and Maridol Bismark of Star and myself—given the opportunity to witness the network’s efforts to reach out to the Cebuanos who for decades have become loyal to its closest rival.

While the Kapuso network has yet to become the leading network in the land of Kapamilya, Cebuanos we talked to during our two-day trip to Sinuloglandia say that the aggressive efforts of the network that ended its rival’s reign as the leading network in Metro Manila and Luzon are paying off and GMA Network is now making headways and, if the trend continues to be unmitigated by the rival, it might just become the preferred network of most Sugbuanons.

We went to the show Saturday night mounted by the local GMA Network channel at the V-Hire Terminal lot at the sprawling SM City. The crowd was already thick and waiting for the appearance of the featured star that night… Marian Rivera.

The local Kapuso channel has organized a day-long activity-filled extravaganza with booths featuring the network’s shows, and non-stop musical fare featuring Cebuano talents. The appearance of Marian Rivera and fellow Kapuso star Wendell Ramos would cap the network’s efforts during the festival.

By 7 p.m. the crowd at the terminal lot had swelled to 8,000 (SM City Cebu estimate) and half an hour later, it grew to about 10,000, which by far, according to our Cebuano source, was bigger than the other network’s effort over at the Ayala Center, which was estimated to be around three to five thousand. (The Kapamilya network will surely disagree with me.)

When the host, a hefty and openly gay man, of the variety show, called in Wendell Ramos, the crowd grew restless, shrieking, shouting the actor’s name. He sang a Tagalog ditty (obviously a lip-synched effort) while lobbing Kapuso T-shirts to the crowd causing a stir among the crowd.

Yet, it was when the hefty host Yurri, now joined by two ladies, one of whom was Anne Maris Igpit (a former beauty queen—Bb. Pilipinas World 2006—who has returned to Cebu to continue her studies) and Recca, the other girl, called in Marian Rivera that the crowd went wild.

Sabay, sabay

Not known as a singer, Marian plunged into a dance number, grooving to the beat of “Sabay-Sabay Tayo,” a track from her Universal Records dance CD that is reportedly short of several scores of copies to be declared gold.

The star of Marimar, Dyesebel, and the upcoming Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang punctuated her dance routine with a pause on all corners of the makeshift stage to wave to her screaming and delirious fans.

She has actually conquered Cebu, considering that she is in a tight competition with the women of the Kapamilya on primetime TV.

Some members of the local press were apparently enamored by Marian Rivera. “She’s hot here,” said a writer for a local tabloid. An editor of a well-established English daily said, “Cebuanos like her a lot, and she is always mentioned in casual conversations.”

Marian was in Cebu for two events, one of which was the show at the SM City V-Hire Terminal. She would also be in the float of Jag jeans during the parade on Sunday morning.

After the “Sabay-Sabay Tayo” number, Marian exited through the back, and hosts Yurri, Recca, and Anne Maris walked up the stage and called Marian back for another number.

The star showed off her form (just several weeks after, the cast she wore when her ankle was injured was sawed off) in three-inch high heels to the beat of “So Sexy,” also from the album Marian Rivera: Retro Craze.

Again, the crowd went crazy, really, shrieking till they coughed out their guts. Marian looked happy, very happy with how the crowd reacted to her dance.

The host ran back to the stage right after the number and called in Wendell Ramos, as well, to say their adieus.

We stood up and walked towards our vehicle. We had to snake our way out of the crowd that had occupied the area where the van that transported Marian and Wendell from the hotel (Waterfront) to SM City. Everyone had a small camera, some had the cameraphones ready to click. Others merely gawked, craning their necks to get a better view.

Before she was escorted to the van, Marian thanked the Cebuanos for all the support she got for her shows—Marimar and Dyesebel, and movies Desperadas 2 and Shake, Rattle & Roll—and asked them to give the same support for her upcoming soap opera with Dingdong Dantes whose mere mention of the name generated a Boeing 747-like sound from the crowd, which meant that the Cebuanos like him for her.

At The Port

We caught up with both Wendell and Marian at Waterfront’s seafood restaurant The Port at the lower ground floor, just near the entrance of the hotel from the main street. Some local press members were similarly waiting for the two Kapuso artists.

Did Marian show anything that would have confirmed rumors that she was snobbish, crass, and uncaring?

Or, was she merely trying to put up an act?

Her manager, Popoy Caritativo, saw us alight from our van and immediately said “Hi!” Marian, seated beside him, greeted us as well.

In the restaurant, we asked her, “How’s the ankle?” after watching her dancing on stage. Marian said, “It’s okay, but I can’t wear heels continuously. I had to switch to flat shoes after the dance.”

The local press was at the beginning wary to ask questions, but Marian did accommodate every question asked, including things like “Is she and Dingdong a couple?,” which she answered carefully as “We’re very, very good friends. He is one very special person for me, someone who will always be there for me.”

Marian also said that she doesn’t want to get into another round of controversies by saying things that might be misinterpreted. Good girl, she probably has learned her lessons after the “crying lady” episode last year, prior to the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Wendell, on the other hand, was gracious enough to answer questions from the local press. While he doesn’t have any new show (after LaLola) besides Bubble Gang or a movie, he was glad enough to be in the GMA-7 Sinulog gig.

Love Me Again goes international

Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin were in Cebu Monday of the Sinulog week. Now, the pair who is making the local box office sizzle hope to conquer Filipinos in the US.

The movie Love Me Again directed by Rory Quintos will be screened in the US beginning this weekend.

It will be screened on Jan. 23-29 in Seattle at Parkway Plaza Stadium 12. Other screenings are as follows:

Jan 23-29, Las Vegas, Regal Village Square Stadium

Jan. 23-29, San Diego, USA Horton Plaza

Jan. 23-29, Honolulu, Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18

Jan. 23-29, Guam, Micronesia Mall

Feb. 6-12, Chicago, Pickwick Theater

For Filipinos near those areas, you can log on to www.ABS-CBNglobalmovies.com or call 1-800-227-9676 for schedules and ticket reservations.

Lani Misalucha sings Tayong Dalawa theme

Platinum diva Lani Misalucha joins the series top-billed by Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and Jake Cuenca entitled Tayong Dalawa, with “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” as the love theme of the said show.

Misalucha has been always known for her full-voiced style and her wide-range singing power. She literally gives her listeners the goose bumps whenever she starts hitting those high notes.

Lani sang the theme song of the hit and controversial primetime ABS-CBN series lisa Pa Lamang, which starred Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo, and Gabby Concepcion. Now, she sings again the love theme of the newest powerhouse drama.

“N’ung nalaman ko na gagamitin ’yung song for a primetime teleserye ulit, na-excite ako syempre!” Lani enthused.

“Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” will surely give more life and color to the love angle of Tayong Dalawa.

Lani Misalucha will be having a major concert next year that we should all watch out for.

Cavite towns get ambulance vans

Buhay Party-list Congressman Irwin Tieng recently donated ambulance vans to the towns of Alfonso and General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite, as part of his ongoing medical mission.

The ambulances may be used for free by anyone who needs them.

This year, Tieng is set to donate more ambulances to the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Quezon. He has also embarked on a number of medical missions for the benefit of children with disabilities.

Source: Manila Standard Today

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