REDWOOD CITY, CA, October 26, 2012 – The logistics were staggering: 40 stars, 14 dancers from the Philippines and 24 more from Singapore, a cast and technical crew of 110 members, two 3-hour back-to-back concerts in one day, playing before a total crowd count of nearly 11,000. When TFC Asia-Pacific decided to bring this October ABS-CBN’s number one Filipino musical variety show in the world – ASAP 2012 (All Star Sunday Afternoon Party) – to Singapore, the Lion City of Asia, attendees got to see live a mind-blowing palpable star power and a genuine showcase of the best of Filipino talent.
“There are 200,000 Filipinos in Singapore and we wanted to make sure to reach out to them and make them feel that they are part of the TFC family worldwide,” said TFC Asia Pacific & Australia-New Zealand Managing Director Edgardo “Rocky” Roxas . “We bring to them what we offer best: world-class news and entertainment that are relevant and connect them meaningfully to our homeland. The enthusiastic reception and support that both Filipinos and our local partners gave us validated our efforts and inspire us to do more.”
“Filipino pride was what everybody felt here in Singapore,” remarked ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. “The entire ASAP 2012 team excited and energized Filipino fans here wherever they went, especially when they delivered two incredible and different sets of concert performances. It was not an easy endeavor and I applaud the entire team for pulling this off. Moreover, it warms the heart to see how delighted our countrymen were to experience live what they follow on TFC. We were happy to be able to do this for them.”
Care and Discipline
The quantity and the quality of the production numbers in the two shows comprised a veritable cornucopia for the viewers’ senses. As ABS-CBN Corporation Channel Head Cory Vidanes accurately described in the vernacular, people leave “ busog na busog (completely full and satiated)” after watching a full ASAP show. She shared that the talents go through a lot training and mentoring so they are equipped to always give their best. This kind of talent discipline shows how much care ABS-CBN has for audience and viewer satisfaction.
Consider these grand production numbers: cultural remix unveiling traditional ethnic dances in Singapore; ASAP Sessionistas’ witty medley take on OFW’s “lonely nights” abroad, missing their loved ones; Loveteam/Princess and I medley with teen superstars Kathryn Bernardo, Enrique Gil, Daniel Padilla and Khalil Ramos; Pinoy Pride songs with power belters Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino, Jovit Baldivino and Marcelito Pomoy; medley of OPM Christmas songs; numerous song and dance numbers by teleserye leads Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Gerald Anderson, Xian Lim, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Erich Gonzales, Iza Calzado, Bamboo, Vina Morales, Jed Madela, Shaina Magdayao, Paolo and Gabriel Valenciano and many, many more. Among the indelible standouts were the energy-packed duet between Gary Valenciano and Billy Crawford and the intricately choreographed contemporary dance performance of real-life couples, Billy Crawford and Nikki Gil and Rayver Cruz and Cristine Reyes which will be shown on ASAP this Sunday, October 28 on TFC worldwide . Also, catch Gary Valenciano give another world-class performance as he shares the inspiring story of a Kapamilya based in Singapore in his segment With Love Gary V.
Celebrating a 10-year on-screen partnership and a budding loveteam
After the huge box-office and critical success of their latest film, The Mistress , 10-year old loveteam, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, graced the stage to thank their fans and promote their much anticipated primetime drama series, A Beautiful Affair . Joining them onstage is another side of the love triangle, John Estrada. The soap is directed by Laurenti Dyogi and Katski Flores who partially shot in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria.
As one on-screen couple celebrates a decade, another one was unveiled at the ASAP show in the persons of Thai matinee idol Mario Maurer and the lovely Erich Gonzales. The two star in the latest Star Cinema romantic offering, Suddenly, It’s Magic . Directed by Rory Quintos and partially shot in Thailand, the film is also much awaited as many are curious to see how these two young international celebrities can create magical chemistry on the silver screen. The film is also scheduled for international screenings in November this year.
Launches and Advocacies
ASAP 2012 in Singapore was done by TFC Asia Pacific in partnership with StarHub TV, Singapore’s fully-integrated info-communications company, offering a full range of information, communications and entertainment services for both consumer and corporate market.
StarHub TV is broadening its Filipino content offering with the addition of two ABS-CBN channels, ANC ABS-CBN News Channel (StarHub TV Channel 143) and Cinema One Global (StarHub TV Ch 145) to its platform.
“With ANC, Cinema One Global and The Filipino Channel, our Filipino offering comprehensively covers the news, entertainment and infotainment needs of our viewers. As the official Co-Presenter of the ASAP 2012 Live concert in Singapore, we are also delighted to give our mobile and cable TV customers the chance to meet the biggest Filipino celebrities. We pride ourselves in having a wide range of content for all our customers and will continue to work with ABS-CBN to bring a slice of home to the Filipino community in Singapore,” said Ms Iris Wee, Vice President of Home Solutions & Content, StarHub, in their official release.
Moreover, TFC on Starhub Mobile TV was likewise launched. According to Irene Acosta, Regional Marketing Head for TFC in Australia and Asia-Pacific, “TFC on Starhub Mobile TV is a result of our continued partnership with Starhub and brings us closer to our goal of bringing world-class content to Filipinos wherever they may be. Singapore-based Filipinos can enjoy TFC through Starhub cable and now, through Starhub Mobile TV.”
Also launched at ASAP in Singapore our two of TFC’s prime advocacies: anti-piracy with the Philippine Optical Media Board (OMB)and Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) Registration with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat .
OMB Chairman Ronnie Ricketts, his wife Mariz and family personally went on stage to speak about anti-piracy and present the “Bawal Kumopya (Copying is Prohibited)” PSA with him and the stars of the top Philippine teleserye, Walang Hanggan . They also gave away scores of “Bawal Kumopya” t-shirts to the attendees. For OAV, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Oliver Delfin of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore showed the OAV PSA with TFC Stars Boy Abunda, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Randy Santiago, Eric Santos and Pokwang, and Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Brillantes and Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes. Their booth had long lines of registrants, which also got a surprise and very welcome visit from OMB Chair Ricketts and his entire family.
With the histoy-making turn of ASAP 2012 and all related TFC activities in Singapore, expect greater things to happen for TFC Asia Pacific as its team works harder for the Filipino community in the region.
