GMA 7 stars (from left) Arthur Solinap, Jake Vargas and Roxanne Guinoo wave to their fans.
LUCENA CITY—The cast of the GMA 7 family drama “Home Sweet Home” led the recent “Pasayahan Festival 2013” parade here. The event featured, in the words of network executive Oliver Amoroso, “costumes and floats reminiscent of Mardi Gras in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.”
It was the first time this year that the Kapuso network in Southern Luzon participated in a festival parade, said Amoroso, assistant
ROCHELLE Pangilinan
vice president for Regional Television.
The cast, led by Raymart Santiago and Roxanne Guinoo, waved and blew kisses to fans from a float made of brightly colored banig straws. Amoroso said the colors represented the colors of GMA 7. The intricate weaving depicted the diversity of GMA 7’s programs, he added. Dried corn cobs adorned the edges of the float.
Amoroso said the network received many requests, specifically from teens, to bring young heartthrobs Jake Vargas, Teejay Marquez and Ken Chan to Quezon. “To add fun and
excitement, we brought the other cast members as well—Rochelle Pangilinan, Arthur Solinap and child star Jillian Ward.”
CHILD star Jillian Ward
“Pasayahan” was launched in 1987. Twelve floats participated in this year’s parade, which started at the Quezon National High School in Barangay Iyam and ended at SM City Lucena.
The network organized a show at SM City that headlined actors Dingdong Dantes and Max Collins.
“We prepared for the Kapuso activities at ‘Pasayahan’ as early as January. We have witnessed the festival’s growth through the years. We believe in its
RAYMART Santiago
[purpose],” Amoroso told the Inquirer. “It has a special place in the heart of GMA Regional TV, since our previous partnerships with SM City Lucena have all been very successful.
“I had a blast,” said Marquez. “I felt the warm welcome of the people here. Our mall show was jam-packed. I can’t wait to come back for next year’s festival.”
For the events, GMA 7 coordinated with SM City management and the Lucena local government, Amoroso said. “We hope the people enjoyed the Kapuso activities. As for other provinces, we have visits and events lined up for the coming months.”
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph