Palm Sunday turned out to be one festive happening for GMA-7 and the rest of the mainstays of its newest noontime musical-variety show Party Pilipinas.
Leaving memories of the defunct SOP behind, Party Pilipinas signifies rebirth especially to the program’s main hosts Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, and Janno Gibbs along with old regulars Kyla, Jay-R, Jolina Magdangal, Gian Magdangal, Dennis Trillo, Marvin Agustin, and La Diva, to name only a few.
The network’s battalion of stars kicked off the afternoon party through a medley of upbeat numbers, which best represent the kind of party vibe the show aims to achieve this time around.
Rhian Ramos, Ehra Madrigal, Bianca King, Lovi Poe, Sunshine Dizon, Jennylyn Mercado, Aljur Abrenica, Mark Herras, Kris Bernal, Katrina Halili, Iza Calzado, Glaiza de Castro, Geoff Eigenmann, Ynna Asistio, Mark Anthony Fernandez, TJ Trinidad, Carla Abellana, Heart Evangelista, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, and Claudine Barretto led the other Kapuso stars on the wide stage-turned-dance floor.
Regular performers also include Kris Lawrence, Miguel Escueta, Geoff Taylor, Joshua Desiderio, Julie Ann San Jose, and Frencheska Farr.
Party Pilipinas will also have regular party jocks composed of Raymond Gutierrez, Tim Yap, Maria Dolonius, and Bella Padilla
Regine was particularly excited with the show’s “high-production value.” Marvin, on the other hand, loved the program’s “fresh look” along with the fact that everyone was excited again to work after a few weeks of vacating the Sunday noontime slot.
“Personally hindi ko masyadong nararamdaman ‘yong pressure,” added Regine. “Basta ang alam ko lang mag-e-enjoy ako… Sobrang excited ako. More than just being pressured, I’m excited to do the show.”
YOUNG STARS DOMINATE. StarStruck V’s Steven Silva, Sarah Labahti, Enzo Pineda, Diva Montelaba, and Rocco Nacino proved that they are all certified crowd drawers based on audience reaction every time they came up on stage.
Adding more glitter and star power to the affair were popular Korean boyband U-Kiss (Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Star) and Hollywood choreographer Fusion. Though considered as a new group, U-Kiss already has a big following here in the country. It was evident that some of those in the audience left Studio 7 of the GMA Network Studios in Quezon City after the group’s performance.
“He’s really good and it was intimidating at first,” Steven told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) about Fusion, who choreographed the young stars in their production numbers. “But it was cool because he speaks straight English so it was easy for me to understand his instructions and he’s also from the Bay Area (California, U.S.A.) so I can relate to him in a way.”
The number featuring fast-rising young stars Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza, Jhake Vargas, and Bea Binene was also an instant hit. Trust Barbie and Joshua to make everyone in the audience swoon with kilig excitement reminiscent of their roles in the series, First Time.
Dancing hunks Mark Herras, Aljur Abrenica, and Rocco Nacino together with new talent Yassi engaged in a dance showdown. The sexy all-female group Eurasia performed the theme song of the upcoming modern sequel of the classic ’80s film, Working Girls with stars Iza Calzado and Bianca King.
Elmo Magalona, the son of the late Francis M., was a revelation bringing the house down with his rap number.
Other exciting groups who will perform regularly in Party Pilipinas are Pop Girls, XLR8, LSGH Airforce, Claret Hataw, Ateneo Indak, LSDC Street, The Company of Ateneo Dancers, UP Dance Street Club, and GMA-7’s own dance group, MXMVNT.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS. Party Pilipinas also brought together twins Richard and Raymond Gutierrez. Richard showed a different side of him by doing a dance number.
The much-anticipated dance showdown between the Kapuso network’s two male lead stars, Richard and Dingdong, didn’t happen though as expected.
New acquisition singer-actor Mark Bautista also made his debut as a Kapuso and one of the show’s regulars. Mark used to be part of rival program, ASAP XV before deciding to jump ship.
“Masaya ako na napasama ako sa show. Kasi unang-una bago ‘tong show,” said Mark to the entertainment press after the program. “Before pa naman din ako lumipat, kilala ko na ‘yong ibang artists dito. Grabe naman ‘yong pag-welcome nila sa akin kaya siguro naging madali din sa akin na maka-connect din sa halos lahat. Warm silang lahat sa akin.”
Party Pilipinas will reportedly venture outside its home studio and visit places outside Metro Manila in the coming days to further promote the new program.
Tomorrow, March 30, the whole gang of Party Pilipinas will troop to the Araneta Coliseum to tape their second episode which will be aired next Sunday, April 4.
