Julie Anne San Jose, Bianca Umali on the joy of interacting with fans

(From left) Jillian Ward, Bianca Umali, Julie Anne San Jose, Isko Moreno, Alden Richards, Ruru Madrid, Ken Chan, Rayver Cruz and Betong Sumaya at the Sparkle world tour grand media conference on Thursday, June 27, 2024 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista

Ahead of their upcoming world tour, Sparkle artists, including Julie Anne San Jose and Bianca Umali, spoke about how they feel when performing and interacting with Filipinos based abroad.

“The best thing about it is doing what I love in front of an audience, because ever since, kasi bata pa lang ako gusto ko na kumanta. Gusto ko nang magperform. I’ve always been passionate about it,” said San Jose at the grand media conference for their world tour on Thursday, June 27.

The “I’ll Be There” singer underscored that she gets her strength to perform from the reaction of the audience.

“Nag-iiba talaga ‘yung energy kapag nagpeperform ka na sa harap ng maraming tao, especially sa harap ng ating mga global Pinoy. Iba kasi ‘yung nabibigay nilang warmth. Kumbaga nadudraw ako doon sa energy nila. And ‘yung strength ko as performer nakukuha ko from them,” she explained. 

On the other hand, Umali recalled the first time she went abroad to perform and said she was looking forward to doing the same things again with the fans.

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“Napaka sarap po nilang kasama. It was a humbling experience. We were able to eat with them. To chat with them. How they welcome us, kung paano nila kami inalagaan,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Rayver Cruz and Ken Chan also shared their experiences performing abroad, describing it as “heartwarming” and the “best.”

“Performing before a Filipino audience overseas is the best. Iba ‘yung feeling na inaabangan na nila kung ano ‘yung gagawin mo kahit ‘di mo pa ginagawa. Parang kapag nagperform ka na, unang kembot mo pa lang, unang pitik pa lang, parang nag-eenjoy na sila. Masarap sa pakiramdam namin ‘yon as performers,” said Cruz.

Chan added, “May mga lalapit sa’yong senior citizens na mga talagang dumayo pa just to see us. Sobrang nakakataba ng puso na nag-effort sila, may mga dala pa silang gift.”

The Sparkle Stars are set to fly around the US, Canada and Japan for a total of five shows from August to September.