From left: Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Lovi Poe, Alden Richards and Betong Sumaya
For Dingdong Dantes, doing live variety shows abroad is not only a great way for celebrities to connect with their fans overseas, but also to build relationships with colleagues they have yet to work with or don’t see often.
“It helps us strengthen our camaraderie. We travel together and experience the same things, so eventually, you get to know them—the real them,” Dingdong told the Inquirer at a recent rehearsal session for GMA Pinoy TV’s coming “Sikat Ka, Kapuso!” shows this month.
“And we get to show the people how we are backstage and behind the cameras,” he added.
The actor will be joined by his fellow Kapuso talents, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Alden Richards, Lovi Poe and Betong Sumaya on April 7 at Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey, USA; and April 8 at Sony Centre Performing for the Arts in Toronto, Canada.
Special trip
“This is a special trip. We don’t usually have too many chances to hang out with other celebrities, because we all have such busy schedules…This is also a learning experience,” Dennis said of the show, which will be his second work-related trip with girlfriend, Jennylyn. “But, this is our first in North America.”
Jennylyn, on the other hand, is looking forward to the “chill” moments with the rest of the gang. “It feels good to be with nice people who don’t have airs,” she said. “There’s no feeling that you have to compete—we’re supportive of one another.”
While the main goal of the show is to entertain, Dingdong said he still took the rehearsals seriously, pointing out that Filipino audiences abroad can be challenging to perform for.
“We can’t assume that they know the work we do here in the Philippines,” he said.
“That’s why we prepared for it as if we were doing a real concert…I may not be able to sing very well, but I will try my best,” related Dingdong, who’s a former member of the dance troupe, Abztract Dancers. “I can still move, but I’m a little rusty!”
Heartening experience
Meanwhile, putting a smile on the faces of Filipinos around the world, Jennylyn said, is one of the most heartening experiences a celebrity like her can have.
“I feel so fulfilled when I see them happy, kilig…When you take photos with them, knowing that they will have some souvenirs and memories they can take home with them,” she said.
The production will be grand, Dennis said, but they will make sure to make things “intimate.”