Princess Velasco: ‘Asap’ still undisputed despite ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ threat

WHILE still on leave from “Asap,” acoustic singer and new mom Princess Velasco said that the competition posed by the new GMA-7 Sunday noontime show “Sunday Pinasaya” brings out the best in everyone in the Philippine entertainment industry.

In an interview, Velasco considered the faceoff between the two noontime shows by network giants GMA and ABS-CBN as “healthy.”

“Hindi naman ako biased pero Asap has always been undisputed in its timeslot. Pero ngayon, medyo nagkakaroon ng competition, I think it is healthy for the industry. Yung staff ng Asap, yung drive ng artists, mas lalo nilang ina-up yung creativity and performance… I think it is healthy for the industry as a whole to have some competition because it brings out the best in everyone,” Velasco told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the 25^th anniversary celebration of Avida Land last October 14.

She also addressed allegations by some viewers that Asap copied the format of Sunday Pinasaya, which featured comedy skits and music performances.

The singer said that the showrunners behind Asap could have thought about offering their viewers something new.

“The people behind Asap are very, very good for me. They are good writers, good artists and I think yung nangyari na parang may comedy was sort of a reaction like to Sunday Pinasaya. I think they were also experimenting it in a way if it will work,” she said.

However, the singer said that Asap maintains its reputation whatever its content may be.

“But now, binabalik nila yung concert TV, and it’s really what Asap is known for. Asap is Asap so kahit anong mangyari, kahit anong content niyan, Asap pa rin yan,” Velasco added.

According to the Kantar Media TNS Nationwide survey, Sunday Pinasaya (16.9 percent) trumped Asap (15.7 percent) in the ratings game last October 4.

Meanwhile, Velasco said that she is working to release a new album soon. AJH