Setting up the stage for Regine and Sharon’s ‘iconic’ concert

Two of the country’s most celebrated divas, Regine Velasquez and Sharon Cuneta, are set to tell their stories in a concert entitled Iconic, as they sing a medley of their hits and other unexpected song choices that showcase their versatility, vocal range, and own style of performance.

Billed as the biggest and the grandest local musical show of the year, the joint concert is a two-night affair happening at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 18 and 19.

“I’m a big fan of Ate Sharon even before I entered showbiz,” says Regine.

“I  joined the queue in Meycauayan for her movie Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala in 1984. So, when I joined showbiz, I was so starstruck with her,” the vocal queen narrates.

Regine further says that having a concert with Sharon is a dream come true for her. 

“The idea started years ago, whenever we see each other, we would say, ‘Let’s go, let’s do a concert. Pero laging hindi na tutuloy, that’s why we really look forward to this show,” the songbird carries on. 

In turn, Sharon says that sharing the stage with Regine is also a privilege. She considers the vocal powerhouse a better singer.

“We have two different styles, but we’re coming together in this show for different reasons and they are all valid. We should not be compared kasi it’s like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like putting a dark cloud on something full of sunshine and rainbows. I have so much respect and admiration for Regine,” Sharon explains.

The megastar adds that their show is a collaboration of two different voices and two different personalities.

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Drew Arellano continues his journey as a Kapuso

Award-winning TV personality and host Drew Arellano looks forward to continuing his journey as a Kapuso as he renews his commitment to GMA Network in a contract signing event held on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

 Present during the signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores, First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, and Asian Artists Agency representative Rowena Salido. Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Senior AVP for Public Affairs Neil Gumban, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jaileen Jimeno, Biyahe ni Drew Program Manager Karen Lumbo, and AHA! Program Manager Mildred Ablanque-Irum were also present.

Atty. Gozon only had good things to say about the AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew host who has been a loyal Kapuso for 14 years.

“His 14 years in the network is well-appreciated. He’s one of the great talents of Public Affairs. At tayo naman ay talagang galak na galak na pinili na naman niyang manatili sa ating istasyon,” Gozon said.

Drew shared that working with the Kapuso Network does not feel like a job. “You know what they say. If you love your job, it doesn’t seem like a job. I get to travel with the entire Biyahe ni Drew crew or make kids learn through AHA!,” he said.

During the contract signing and the media interview that followed, both Biyahe ni Drew and AHA! teams were in full attendance to show their support to the Kapuso host.  Drew, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to his GMA Public Affairs family by giving credit to the production teams for the success of his programs throughout the years. 

 “I think anyone can produce a travel show but not everyone can have my team. Our chemistry is pretty solid that’s why we are very efficient with our work. It’s a fine group of people that you will be happy with for 14 years and will probably be happy for another 14 years,” Drew said.

 He also revealed that it was actually in GMA 7 that he met his wife—Iya Villania-Arellano—after working with her in the youth-oriented show Click. Fourteen years later, not only is Drew still a loyal Kapuso, he and Iya are now parents to 3-year-old Primo and 1-year-old Leon. 

But even before getting married, Drew says he knew he wanted to be a good father. To accomplish this, he scaled down his work to three times a week. Today, instead of going out with friends, he says he’d rather spend quality time with his wife and children. 

 Aside from Click, Drew was also part of the longest running morning show Unang Hirit. In 2005, Drew hosted QTV’s travel show Balikbayan which later had an offshoot program Weekend Getaway on GMA News TV.

Five years later, he further showcased his versatility in hosting via AHA!, a GMA Public Affairs’ award-winning info-tainment show.

 “For AHA!, it’s not just about learning. It’s about having fun while learning and I think that is the most effective tool so that your kids will learn. Our goal is to be an edu-tainment type—educational at the same time, entertaining. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past 10 years,” Drew said.

 With the tagline, “Ang happy place ng mga batang smart,” AHA! explores the science and technology behind everyday things, experiences, and viral activities through the help of credible experts. It makes sure that viewers will find fun in learning through entertaining treatments, language and exciting animations.  

 Over the years, AHA! has ventured into full length live animation segments. After the production of its AHA! Animation Originals special episode in 2017, it regularly produced animation segments such as the #KuwentongAHAmazing, a full-length animation of Pinoy stories being told by top Kapuso personalities including Jessica Soho, Bianca Umali, and Ken Chan. 

Next year, AHA! will explore more composite media, like stop-motion and 3D animations.

 Kapuso viewers have also seen Drew explore islands, jump from the highest cliffs, and eat the most exotic dishes in his travel program Biyahe ni Drew, which began airing on GMA News TV in 2013. 

 “I feel that we, the Biyahe ni Drew crew, are in a very lucky position. We bring our cameras and get to feature super isolated places and share it to our viewers,” Drew shared.

 Aside from featuring beautiful destinations in the Philippines, Biyahe ni Drew has taken viewers to various Asian destinations such as Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. It also explored Africa namely Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as Israel and Jordan. The show has successfully launched the Biya-Hero and Sustaina-Goals campaign.

 Both AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew have established a strong online presence. AHA’s Facebook page is close to hitting 1 million ‘likes’ while Biyahe ni Drew’s has more than 1 million ‘likes’. AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew have also been recognized by various local and international award giving bodies.