Clockwise from top right: Jodi Sta Maria & Richard Yap croon a love duet; Lea Salonga looks regal as she sings her hits; Yeng & Bamboo energize the crowd with their powerful number; from left, One Kapamilya Go Head Ricky Resurreccion, ABS-CBN North America Managing Director Chinky De Jesus, Mrs. Eleanor De Leon, NY-based Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon Jr., Prudential Center PR Head Kerry Graue and ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez receive the Proclamation of ABS-CBN TFC One Kapamilya Go Filipino Community Day from the Office of Newark Mayor and now Senator-elect Cory Booker; the One Kapamilya Go Cast at their Meet & Chat in California’s Great America; and Sam Milby and Gerald Anderson plant a kiss on a lucky fan during their sizzling “Blurred Lines” number. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/ Arman & Joyce David of AJ Images, Jaclyn Sison of OMG & Franz Bonifacio of FRaine Photography
REDWOOD CITY, California–“Sulit na sulit! Sana maulit muli! screamed ecstatic fans, who trooped in their thousands to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on October 18 and in California’s Great America in Santa Clara, California on October 20 to see “One Kapamilya Go 2013.”
It was the climax to the TFC Sama Saya series in North America. Capping the annual TFC events season, the channel took one big step further by adding a huge East Coast leg to its traditional West Coast setting.
If holding two legs for the first time wasn’t enough, TFC also assembled a stellar and eclectic cast for this year’s “One Kapamilya Go.”
Stellar
The Philippines’s number one TV reality show, “The Voice of the Philippines,” was represented by no less than Lea Salonga, Bamboo, champion Mitoy Yonting, runner-up Klarisse De Guzman and finalists Janice Javier and Myk Perez.
From the number one romantic comedy, “Be Careful With My Heart,” came Richard Yap, Jodi Sta. Maria, Tart Carlos and Viveika Ravanes; and from the number one variety show, “ASAP 18,” were Yeng Constantino, Gerald Anderson, Maja Salvador, Sam Milby and Cristine Reyes.
The payload produced explosive results via a range of musical numbers that showcased the unique entertainment talents of this year’s performers under the direction of ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin.
Yeng and Bamboo opened the show with a rocking, walk-down-memory-lane “Best of the 80s” medley, followed by the naughty comedy duo of Tart and Viveika, who served as the thread that wove the diverse musical numbers together into a tightly knit, fast-paced extravaganza.
Hyperventilation
As the energy rose, so did temperatures, and these hit hyperventilation levels when crowds were regaled by intricate dance numbers from Maja (who gloriously channeled J-Lo) and Cristine who did an infectious choreographed dance clap routine to the tune of Lady Gaga’s “Applause.”
If there were near-fainting spells among the audiences on both legs, the culprit had to be the Gerald-Sam duet of Robin Thicke’s 2013 summer anthem, “Blurred Lines.” The hunky duo’s hot number spelled “p-a-r-t-y t-i-m-e” and had the old and young alike, ladies and gents, up on their feet, swooning and gyrating to the beat, if they didn’t faint.
The second half of the show unveiled exceptional musical musings of today’s loftiest Filipino voices. Yeng and Bamboo’s duet of their iconic hits, “Hallelujah” and “Hawak Kamay,” was airtight vocal craftsmanship.
On-stage chemistry
The on-stage chemistry of these two is undeniable. Yeng’s sing-along medley of Air Supply hits was wonderfully nostalgic. Bamboo’s solo, the anthemic, “Noy-Pi,” was indomitable: soaring with patriotic pride, rousing with nationalistic fervor.
In the much-awaited U.S. debut of the Final Four of “The Voice of the Philippines,” Klarisse, Janice, Myk and champion Mitoy serenaded the crowd with an unforgettable “Teleserye Medley.” Then Mitoy tackled the Freddie Aguilar classic, “Anak,” with the dramatic intensity and range of a metal tenor.
The most awaited love team of Sir Chief and Maya –- Richard and Jodi –- raised the shriek levels several notches higher with their solo and duets. New York/New Jersey and San Francisco Bay Area “Be Careful With My Heart” fans had prayed for the on-screen couple to grace their shores. Richard and Jodi’s participation in “One Kapamilya Go” was the answer.
Enter Lea
As the audiences feasted on the vocal fireworks, spectrum of lights and vibrant videos on colossal screens, they were served with a world-class entrée.
Enter Lea Salonga. Unerring in her musical story-telling, she had everyone’s undivided attention, taking all to a rewind journey that included her much applauded renditions of “Sana Maulit Muli,” a medley of her signature Broadway hits and the nostalgic holiday hymn, “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko.”
When the last note was sung, fans remained on their feet, applauding with joy and pride over the Filipino entertainment event history that they witnessed.
One Kapamilya Go Project Head Ricky Resurreccion remarked: “This had been the most challenging year for “One Kapamilya Go,” but it was also the most rewarding.”