GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV, continues to bring Filipinos abroad closer to home when it staged a series of star-studded events across North America and the Middle East throughout the month of March.
GMA Pinoy TV’s first stop was in the United Arab Emirates for Kapusong Pinoy Dubai featuring Pambansang Bae Alden Richards, actor-comedian Betong Sumaya and singer Aicelle Santos at Al Nasr Leisureland on March 10.
The concert venue was packed with over 1,600 spectators who witnessed a spectacular evening of non-stop entertainment which included song and dance numbers from each of the Kapuso artists, as well as comedic skits that kept the audience laughing.
While in Dubai, the Kapuso stars visited the United International Private School, the first Filipino school in the country and touched base with even more fans during a radio interview with Tag 91.1, the first premium Filipino radio station launched in the UAE.
They also paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Consulate General and were warmly received by Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes.
The trip became a meaningful experience for the artists because it included a visit to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Association where they met with fellow Filipinos who are under the protection of the Philippine Consulate General.
Continuing the March festivities on the other side of the globe, the Pambansang Bae was joined by fellow Kapuso heartthrob Rocco Nacino in Canada. They headlined Bae in the City Canada Tour 2016 along with comedian Kim Idol from March 22 to 24.
Alden and Rocco felt the love from their fans as the series of shows spanning three cities in Canada – Edmonton, Winnipeg and New Westminster – was jam-packed with attendees from all over North America, with some coming all the way from the United States just to see the two artists.
While the two Kapuso leading men were entertaining Canada, the Lolas of Eat Bulaga’s phenomenal Kalyeserye were busy shaking up California with their own set of shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego from March 22 to 24.
Dubbed Lolas of Kalyeserye visit California!, the concert marked the first time the three Lolas, made up of Jose Manalo (Lola Tinidora), Wally Bayola (Lola Nidora) and Paolo Ballesteros (Lola Tidora) headlined their own international show.
Joining the wacky trio were the stars of the GMA primetime drama series That’s My Amboy, Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras.
Moreover, fans were given an added dose of laughter and entertainment with the special participation of Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas in the San Francisco and LA legs.
It was an overwhelming turnout as countless Filipinos trooped to the Fox Theatre in San Francisco, Saban Theatre in Los Angeles and the California Center for the Arts in San Diego to see the shows. Some fans took the fun to the next level by dressing up as the Lolas, even coming with their own Rogelios (the bodyguards of Lola Nidora on the Kalyeserye segment).
With the conclusion of a star-studded and event-filled month of March, GMA Pinoy TV is gearing up for an even more exciting lineup of events in other countries around the world.
“These events are essentially a homecoming for Filipinos who are based abroad,” explains GMA First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia.
“We want our viewers to know that GMA Network is one at heart with them, bringing them closer to home by keeping the Kapuso spirit alive in Filipino communities overseas,” he said.
Bae in the City Canada Tour 2016 was staged in partnership with Corazon’s Money Express (Winnipeg), Palabok Promotions (Edmonton) and Red Productions (New Westminster).
Meanwhile, The Lolas of Kalyeserye visit California! was produced in cooperation with Happy Box Productions.
For updates on GMA Network’s artists, programs, international channels and events, visit the website www.gmapinoytv.com, Facebook pages www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV, www.facebook.com/gmalifetv, and www.facebook.com/gmanewsinternational, Twitter pages @gmapinoytv, @gma_lifetv, and @gmanewstvintl and Instagram account @gmapinoytv.