GMA Pinoy TV opens 10th anniversary celebration with jampacked concerts in Vancouver, Anaheim

Celebrating a milestone ten years of bringing Filipinos abroad closer to home, GMA Pinoy TV kicked off its year-long anniversary celebration with successful back-to-back concerts held in Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), and Anaheim (California, USA) on the last weekend of May.

Philippine Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas along with Christian Bautista, Alden Richards, Jonalyn Viray and Betong Sumaya led the celebration in GMA Pinoy TV’s Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver and Anaheim on May 29 and May 31, respectively.

Ai-Ai, who made a welcome comeback in the Kapuso Network via the romantic-comedy series Let the Love Begin, came prepared with her funny antics and gimmicks. In one of her segments, she even wore a costume that had a switch to change the color of the lights that were wrapped around her.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumangkilik ng aming show. Kami po ay nagagalak dahil napakarami pong taong sumuporta sa 10th anniversary celebration ng GMA Pinoy TV. Sana po ay wag kayong magsawa na mag-subscribe at manood ng lahat ng mga shows ng GMA sa GMA Pinoy TV,” expresses Ai-Ai right after the show in Vancouver.

During the show in Anaheim, Ai-Ai performed a segment with her daughter Sofia whom she referred to as “Baby Girl.”

Alongside Ai-Ai, actor, comedian and Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown Winner Betong Sumaya brought Antonietta, his beloved character in the Philippines’ longest running gag show Bubble Gang, in both shows, and received positive feedback. Antonietta, never breaking her character, opened both events with spiels encouraging the attendees to post on social media with the hashtag #Sampuso.

“Amazing, amazing, amazing! Salamat po sa mga kababayan natin. Sana ay lagi niyo pong suportahan ang GMA Pinoy TV para lagi kayong amazing,” says Betong, emphasizing his famous catchphrase.

Meanwhile, Fearless Diva Jonalyn Viray showcased her world-class vocal prowess in her segments. The crowd particularly loved her segment with Christian Bautista, where they performed theme songs from GMA shows Mulawin, The Half Sisters, and The Rich Man’s Daughter, among others.

Jonalyn also expressed her gratitude to everyone who came to see them perform, “Sa lahat po ng mga nanood, maraming maraming salamat mula sa aming mga puso. Salamat po sa pagsuporta sa GMA at GMA Pinoy TV.”

Another member of the Kapusong Pinoy cast Christian Bautista, known as Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, got the audience mesmerized and singing along with his performances. He even invited lucky audience members up onstage to sing and dance with him.

Christian relays his message of love and thanks to the attendees of the shows, “Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal. Talagang feel na feel po namin. Proud po kami na nakantahan namin kayong lahat. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo.”

One of GMA’s top leading men Alden Richards, who recently joined the Eat Bulaga barkada, touched the audience with his charm and be-dimpled smile. He performed hits from One Direction and Bruno Mars.

He also encouraged GMA Pinoy TV subscribers to keep supporting GMA. “Maraming maraming salamat po. Nakakatuwa dahil hindi po nawawala yung pagsuporta at tiwala niyo sa Kapuso Network at GMA Pinoy TV. Sana magkita kita po ulit tayo soon. God bless mga Kapuso! Mahal namin kayo!” he says.

On the enthusiastic response received from Kapuso viewers in Vancouver and Anaheim, GMA Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia says, "We are grateful to GMA's loyal viewers in North America over the last 10 years. We are inspired to work harder to keep the trust they have given GMA's brand of news and entertainment all these years."

Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver, which was held at The Orpheum Theatre, was organized in association with Unit Blue Design & Media Production Services. Meanwhile, Kapusong Pinoy Anaheim was produced in association with Polaris Media & Marketing and was staged at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

The successful Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver and Anaheim housed roughly 1,800 and 1,350 spectators, respectively, and received great comments all over social media. “It was an honor to meet such amazing talents. I love GMA’s talents!” posted @abbycubey on Instagram alongside her photo with Kapuso actor Alden.

Another Kapuso, Dolores Arcillas left a comment on GMA Pinoy TV’s Facebook page saying, “I knew it will be a big success! Congrats, GMA!”

Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver was sponsored by Pag Ibig Fund, Vista Residences, Transfast, Ritemed, and Moneygram, while Kapusong Pinoy Anaheim was sponsored by Xoom.com, Mapua Institute of Technology, Pag Ibig Fund, Amaia, Vonage, International Travel Network, Red Ribbon, Ritemed, Chowking, Moneygram, Davies Paints, Financial Rescue, The Generics Pharmacy, Everest Aircondition, DirecTV, Transfast, Flawless Faces, Debt Aid Consulting, Cebu Pacific, Goldilocks, San Miguel Gold Label Best of the Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver Philippines.