Fans Gushing for Star-Studded Heartthrobs Reloaded
Fans Gushing for Star-Studded Heartthrobs Reloaded
By Rachelle Cruz
The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) subscribers and Kapamilya’s loyal fans got their sweet treat as they transitioned from their screen time at home to real time seeing their favourite celebrities in the flesh. Comedy Queen Pokwang opened the show and saved the day as she dressed up as three superheroes–Superwoman, Wonder Woman and finally capped off with her Darna suit, changing costumes in between the roars and laughter coming from the seats. She managed to amuse the crowd as she pulled three volunteers on-stage to do some improvisation of victim-rescue situation showcasing both her superpowers and prowess, with her lines dripping with sexual innuendos. Even her rendition of Miley Cyrus’ hit song “Wrecking Ball” garnered some laughs from the audience. It was dramatically funny as one might expect.
The Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual
The Heartthrobs Reloaded Concert created a pandemonium at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on Sunday, October 27. Fans milled around and waited for the fantastic four celebs: The Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual, Acoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby, Comedy Diva Pokwang and the new addition Theme Song Queen Angeline Quinto. About 1,000 tickets were given to long-time TFC subscribers; another 1,000 tickets pegged at a low price of $20 to cover Ticketmaster charges; and the remaining 1,000 allocated for TFC distributors, business partners, community papers, family and friends.
“This event was brought to Toronto to celebrate ABS-CBN’s 60th anniversary on television – a partnership between TFC and ABS-CBN’s Regional Network Group in Manila, via the Kapamilya Fiesta World event. This is a pasasalamat concert – thanking all those who have supported TFC/ABS-CBN,” Rosary Escano, the head organizer of the event said.
Acoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby
Though Heartthrobs Concerts have been around for awhile now, there were a lot of first-timers excited for the show.
“Noon gusting-gusto kong manood pero walang time. Pero ngayon, nagbigay kasi ang TFC ng ticket kasi subscriber kami,” Jessie Valentin, from Toronto said.
Valentin looked forward to seeing them all, but recalled “Milan” as his favourite movie of Piolo Pascual starring with Claudine Barretto. As with Sam Milby, Valentin enjoyed watching the teleserye “Maging Sino Ka Man” that catapulted the actor into stardom.
Like many other Filipinos living overseas, it’s the movies, the drama, the comedy, and the stories that they watch that help them reconnect, or stay connected with the Filipino culture, language, and gives them a sense of home, even nostalgia.
Junever M. Mahilum-West, the Philippine Consul General in Toronto, and her husband John West were in attendance, and are absolute fans.
Comedy Diva Pokwang
“Well, I’m impressed by the way TFC and Rosary Escano organizes events like these because it’s always fully packed. So, we are many here from the consulate general and it’s a treat for us. We know the artists, their reputation, so we look forward to the show,” she said.
While, the consul has seen them perform once in Geneva, it was Mr. West’s first time to watch the show,
“I haven’t been before but I always love these Filipino entertainment events because it’s so fun and everyone’s having a great time,” he said.
Sam Milby, who has been in Toronto many times to perform, opened with Maroon Five’s This Love. He later picked up his guitar and sang Goo Goo Doll’s Iris, “I’m a 90’s guy,” the acoustic heartthrob explained. But fans screamed to a feverish pitch as he came down the stage and serenaded the audience, making quick stops to shake hands while cameras flashed from all angles.
The set was followed by Miss Angeline Quinto, who sang OPM songs that showcased her singing chops and vocal range. She was pitch perfect with her ballads like Ulan, Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang, and Hinahanap Hanap Kita popularized by her idol, songbird of Asia Regine Velasquez.
Theme Song Queen Angeline Quinto
The energy was vibrant and infectious, gearing up for the most highly anticipated Ultimate Heartthrob, who took the stage and kicked off with Jason Mraz’s I Won’t Give Up. Piolo Pascual even had a duet with Angeline Quinto with Ikaw Lamang, the theme song from one of this year’s most popular hit teleserye Ina Kapatid Anak.
Girls, guys, men and women of all ages were enamored by his presence, some going up the stage to give him a hug or a kiss. Or simply just to touch him, as if he wasn’t real enough. If decades of box-office hits, movie awards, and popular songs weren’t an indication of his success, his hard-earned loyal fans swarming the theatre tells us that no one can get enough of Papa P.
“I’ve been a fan ever since. Dekada ‘70 is my favourite movie of him where he won best supporting actor,” Cristina Reyes from Mississauga said.
“It’s really nice to be part of the 60th ABS-CBN celebration because I have been a TFC subscriber ever since,” she added.
Another fan, Riss Aro- Dionisio said that she has seen Piolo back in 2007 with Pokwang, but what’s different this time was seeing him perform with Sam, “It’s a little bit more exciting kasi parehas ko silang gusto,” she shared.
But for most, like Michelle Lim, the experience was surreal.
“I’m so used to seeing them on TV that I couldn’t but help it and I was shocked to see them closely. I was very lucky and fortunate to get free tickets from ABS-CBN and TFC. We went, my aunt with other couple of family members and we had a good time,” Lim said.
Until next time then, when they visit us again –and bring us a piece of home with them.
Massive audience at Sony Centre
Junever M. Mahilum-West, the Philippine Consul General in Toronto, and her husband John West chatting with May Cabrias
Fans at the Heartthrobs’s concert
From leflt: Ely San Pedro, Cecille Lopez, Benjie Arcinas, Janette Arcinas, Ging Garcia, Tita Maliwanag, Juliet Santiago and Julie Relatado.
Piolo Pascual being mobbed by fans.
Rachelle Cruz and Sam Milby (PHOTO: Miguel Caducio)
Ronnie de la Gana of Tahanan magazine and son. (PHOTO: MG)
Comedian Pokwang (PHOTO: R.Cruz)
PHOTOS: HG/R. CRUZ
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