Dazzled by Dinagyang

MAX COLLINS (left) sings to a fan in the “City of Love.”

ILOILO—Because I’m an adopted daughter of Iloilo, I was overjoyed to join GMA 7’s Dinagyang festivities in “Batchoy Country.” The Kapuso fiesta spirit was very much felt in the “City of Love.”

Heartthrob Ruru Madrid was guest performer in Iloilo Festival Queen and Hiyas Sang Iloilo at Robinsons Place. Fab couple Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino spread positive vibes in the jam-packed mall show.

“Once Upon a Kiss” teen stars Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali, with comedians Pekto Nacua and Betong Sumaya, added glitter to the corporate parade.

Mikael Daez hosted the live coverage of the Ati Tribe Competition.

Capping the fun weekend was a promotional tour in SM City of the new afternoon prime soap, “Kailan Ba Tama ang Mali,” top-billed by Geoff Eigenmann, Empress Schuck, Dion Ignacio and Max Collins.

Highlights of these events will be in the “Let’s Fiesta” TV special, to air Feb. 8 on GMA 7’s regional stations. The Kapuso Team, led by Oliver Amoroso, took the “Hala Bira” theme to heart and went all out.

Sweet duo

Giddy pair Miguel and Bianca made me feel like a high school girl all over again. Sweetness is second nature to them.

GEOFF Eigenmann

“I like Miguel’s humor,” Bianca said. “Even when he’s corny, I still find him funny.”

Miguel agreed, “We get along well. I am energized by her smile. We never run out of things to talk about.”

The teen tandem is somewhere between friendship and love. The orphan in Bianca now has Miguel to watch over her.

Prime-time humor

Funnymen Pekto and Betong provide the spice in the prime-time soap, “Once Upon a Kiss.”

I asked Pekto to describe his brand of comedy. He said that he cracks jokes that everyone can relate to and avoids humiliating people for laughs. Betong still can’t believe all the good breaks coming his way. His advice to biz newcomers is to keep trying till they find their niche.

Being a romantic fool, I enjoyed chatting with the stars of “Kailan Ba Tama ang Mali” about matters of the heart.

Intrigued by the soap’s title, I asked Empress, Max, Dion and Geoff about their sentiments on l’amour.

Empress: We all become fools for love at some point, but we must set a deadline for snapping out of it.

Max: In love, the end justifies the means. When it’s the heart that dictates, everything seems right even when it’s not.

Dion: Sometimes, even when the feeling is right, the situation is wrong. Don’t love someone who loves someone else. Let respect overpower love.

Geoff: As long as you are not stepping on other people and you’re happy, then go for it. In love, everything is a learning experience.

Acting workshop

Aside from brushing up on Love 101, the four stars had an extensive acting workshop with Geoff’s mom, seasoned actress Gina Alajar, to prepare for the drama series which premieres

RURU Madrid

Feb. 9.

During the workshop, Geoff said, his mom urged him to release all remaining angst from his breakup with Carla Abellana.

It proved to be cathartic. “I’m not on the lookout for new love. I just go with the flow,” said Geoff. “If I see we’re on the same page, I’ll take it from there. But next time, I will keep my love life private. Although that’s not easy in the biz, it’s doable.”

Sometimes it’s better for celebs to keep their relationship low-key so it won’t go off-key.

Personal

Damo guid na salamat to my wonderful friends in Iloilo, Pauline and Gus Banusing and Allan Tajanlangit, for always spoiling me more than I deserve. Thanks a mil to GMA 7’s Oli Amoroso, Iris Joy Abarquez, Jojo Aquio and my cool colleague Jojo Panaligan for an overdose of fun. When you’re in Iloilo, check out the hippest chill-out place, Gastropub Brewery.