EXCLUSIVE: See 30+ ABS-CBN Stars In This Special "Metro x ASAP Kapamilya Forever Day" Photo Shoot (Part 1)
"What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? What does being a Kapamilya mean to you?" Some of ABS-CBN's biggest and brightest stars looked back on their journey with the network at the recent #ASAPKapamilyaForever day
It’s been a year since a House of Representatives panel killed ABS-CBN’s fresh franchise application, yet the company still receives overwhelming support from many fans across the world. Despite the challenges, Kapamilya stars also remain loyal to ABS-CBN as they hope for the day the company makes its way back to television.
Last July 10, #IbalikAngABSCBN went viral in different social media platforms as this date marks the first anniversary of the company’s shutdown. A day after, ASAP Natin ’To held a “Kapamilya Forever Day” and staged live performances of their biggest and brightest stars—from the young and rising artists to the veterans. They dazzled onstage while they poured their hearts out to show their support to the network that they also consider as their second home.
Fans of the Kapamilya stars and the network also expressed their support through social media using the hashtag #ASAPKapamilyaForever. Aside from the live performances of the ASAP regulars, the international British rock band Coldplay also delivered an outstanding performance of their latest single “Higher Power,” live from the UK.
They say that being in a family means that you are a part of something wonderful. Though seasons may change and the ground may shake at times, the Kapamilya network continues its mission of being in the service of the Filipino.
To express their gratitude for ABS-CBN, a number of artists spoke up about their genuine love for the company. Metro.Style asked them what their fondest memories as a Kapamilya are as well as what it truly means to them to be a Kapamilya.
Check the gallery below to read some of their answers and see our exclusive photo shoot with some of these stars:
Metro.Style x ASAP (Part 1)
Metro.Style x ASAP (Part 1)
Zephanie Dimaranan, Elha Nympha, Janine Berdin, and Sheena Belarmino
What does being a Kapamilya mean to you? Zephanie: "Being a Kapamilya means so much to me kasi when you say family it should be somewhere or sa mga tao na you feel welcome, you feel loved, alam mong proud sila sa'yo no matter what you are as a person. This is where I experienced my first heartbreak when it comes to reaching my dreams, pero this is where I also first achieved 'yung talagang pangarap ko which is sa 'Idol Philippines.'" | Elha: "When you say Kapamilya, maraming words na tatatak sa'yo. Unang-una diyan, nagpapasaya, nagbibigay ng entertainment, and also, tumutulong sa mga kapwa Kapamilya... Also, being a Kapamilya, kailangan namin maging role models." | Janine: "It means that you have a family that supports and inspires you. But also, you serve as an inspiration to that family. Kailangan mo talaga gawin lagi 'yung best mo and because you have people who look up to you and you’re a part of a family that inspires you." | Sheena: "Being a Kapamilya is like a rollercoaster ride. Marami kang mapagdadaanan within that family. Also, being a role model, may matatanggap ka rin criticism while you’re in that family. At kahit 'yun 'yung natatanggap mo sa experience, 'yung Kapamilya talaga, 'yun 'yung nagiging support system mo habang pinagdadaanan mo 'yun."
Criza Taa, Joao Constancia, and Heaven Peralejo
Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla
What does being a Kapamilya mean to you? Gary: "It means a lot to me that I’ve had so many seasons with ABS-CBN. And I’m looking forward to many more... I have been a part of a family that has not just called itself a family, it also acts out like a family. It’s gone through a lot, but I’m willing to go through a lot with them as well, because they’ve been with me through everything." | What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? Zsa Zsa: "I guess Christmas Specials, wherein everybody would be around and we’d gather together, si Dolphy nasa gitna. And then we would make a finale speech. Those were really fun times. I’ve been with 'ASAP' for around 25 years. They were always fun, you know, those early years."
Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz, Andrea Brillantes, and Seth Fedelin
What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? Kyle: "Every time I’m doing these kinds of events with ABS-CBN, I really feel part of the family—Kapamilya talaga. 'Yun 'yung nararamdaman namin dito, hindi lang trabaho." | Francine: "Noong nakasama ako sa 'Kadenang Ginto.' Kasi after nu'ng show, mas naramdaman ko 'yung pagmamahal ng mga Kapamilya ko dito sa ABS-CBN. Hindi lang basta sila ka-trabaho, ramdam ko 'yung care nila, 'yung happiness nila para sa mga little achivements ko, and that’s love." | Andrea: 'Yung first-ever trade launch ko sa 'Analisa.' 'Yun kasi 'yung first-ever teleserye ko po na ako 'yung bida at ang tagal ko 'yun hinintay... Doon ko naramdaman na, 'Oh my god, magkakaron na ako ng first-ever show ko.' Lahat sila nakatingin sa akin, may mga taong proud sa akin." | Seth: "Naging PBB housemate ako. Tapos napabilang ako sa Star Magic at tumagal ako sa ABS-CBN. Hindi kasi siya work eh, home siya. Pati 'yung 'Kadenang Ginto,' 'Huwag Kang Mangamba,' at 'Gold Squad.'"
iDolls Lucas Garcia, Matty Juniosa, and Enzo Almario
What does being a Kapamilya mean to you? Lucas: "Karangalan po ang maging parte ng pamilyang ito dahil punong-puno ng pagmamahal. Hindi namin kinakitaan na kailangan namin ma-intimidate, hindi kami na-intimidate sa pagiging parte ng pamilyang ito. Hindi kami natakot i-express 'yung music namin and 'yung personality namin dahil walang judgment. Kaya sobrang karangalan. I'm grateful." | Matty: "To be part of this family is, until today, a dream for me. Kasi parang you get to hangout with people who are great at what they do, you get to hangout with people who are hungry to become greater at what they want to do, and you get to meet a lot of people na dati, pinapanuod mo lang, ngayon, nakaka-rubbing elbows ko na. And they give you pieces of advice, they give you mga tips and tricks as to how they do what they do. So parang hanggang ngayon, nananaginip pa rin talaga ako." | Enzo: "It means a lot for us lalo na—kasi 'di ba parang we are considered as one of the first openly gay groups or openly gay singers here in the Philippines, and we are very thankful that ABS-CBN gave us this chance and of course, Star Magic. Kaya sobrang laking bagay nito sa amin kasi naniwala sila sa amin. And para sa akin kasi, ayun 'yung pinaka-importante. If someone belives in you, mas lalo kang ma-mo-motivate to do your advocacies and to inspire other people, and to use your talent that God gave you."
Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing
What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? Jane: "I guess 'yung Kapamilya na word, 'yun talaga 'yung na-feel ko. Being a Kapamilya, I feel like it’s my second family and that’s my favorite. All my friends are like my sisters and my brothers. My handlers are guiding me and kung paano nila ako tinulungan throughout the years, and their guidance, minahal, at sinuportahan nila ako." | RK: "Kanina nu'ng lumabas kami sa 'ASAP' opening or Kapamilya prod, lahat kami tapos may kumakanta ng 'Kapamilya Forever,' ang sarap ng feeling. Alam naman natin na ang dami nating pinagdaanan, and to have that kind of production number wherein kasama mo 'yung mga iba’t-ibang Kapamilya stars... Few years back, s'yempre nanunuod lang ako ng 'ASAP' every Sunday, and now kasama ako sa lineup. Nakakatuwa and it was one for the books."
Joshua Garcia and Daniel Padilla
What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? Joshua: "Hindi mawawala sa isipan ko 'yung memories ko with my co-actors, every time na may mga soap kaming ginagawa and every time na may work kaming ginagawa. I think 'yun 'yung pinaka-memorable sa akin—'yung relationships ko with my co-actors, 'yung paano kami mag-bonding." | Daniel: "Isa s'yempre 'yung mga big events natin, 'di ba? Nasa malalaking stage tayo with all of the fans na nakikita natin na nakikisaya kasama natin. Also, 'yung mga relief operations natin noon, iba 'yun eh. Ibang experience rin 'yun."
Jed Madela, Erik Santos, Jason Dy, and Nyoy Volante
What does being a Kapamilya mean to you? Jed: "Personally, it’s more of I feel that I belong. I belong to a group, a family na I know no matter what happens, they always have my back, and that’s what happens every time. When you need someone to lean unto, it’s always my Kapamilya." | Erik: "Tama 'yung tagline eh, 'Kapamilya.' Talagang sinasabuhay ng bawat artista, ng lahat ng mga staff, production people, artists. Simula noon hanggang ngayon, when you say Kapamilya, talagang kapamilya ang turingan namin sa isa't-isa. Not only when we’re in the studio, meron kaming group chat. 'Pag may isang kailangan ng support, we support the artist all the way. Ganu'n namin siya isinasabuhay." | Jason: "It means the world to me. Bata pa ako, ABS-CBN na ang pinapanuod ko. And I’ve always dreamt of being part of 'ASAP,' being a singer. So, I’m just super grateful and thankful. Very blessed talaga na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na maging part ng ABS-CBN. Sobrang happy ko na kasama pa rin ako despite everything that happened in the past year, sobrang happy pa rin ako na Kapamilya pa rin ako. Kapamilya forever!" | Nyoy: "The true essence of a family talaga is when you’re there through thick and thin. When you’re, kumbaga, it doesn’t matter kung ano 'yung sitwasyon mo, when it’s family, you will die for them. Ganu'n naman talaga. When you love someone like family, it’s definitely higher than just your friend or some very important people in your life, but family talaga, 'yun 'yung kahit hanggang sa huli, sasamahan mo talaga."
Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
Vivoree Esclito, Robi Domingo, Maymay Entrata, Enchong Dee, and Inigo Pascual
What are your fondest memories as a Kapamilya? Vivoree: "Isa sa mga pinaka-memorable for me is of course 'yung mga Star Magic Balls or ABS-CBN Balls. I got to see those actors and actresses that I look up to. I was also able to talk to them kasi I used to just watch them on TV." | Robi: "I will never ever forget the time when I got out of the Big Brother house. It was inside Araneta, and when Luis Manzano called out my name as the 2nd big placer, I was so happy! I saw a sea of blue, and that was one memory I will never ever forget." | Maymay: "Kung paano ko na-feel na naging parte na ako ng Kapamilya, 'yun 'yung nanalo ako sa PBB. Kasi laking Kapamilya ako, at hindi ko akalain na ma-e-experience ko 'yung tagumpay na 'yun bilang isang bagong Kapamilya." | Enchong: "Probably the first time I stepped in ABS-CBN as a Kapamilya—as an actor, performer. I can still remember it as if it was just yesterday. That was 15 years ago. I am so thankful because I never expected that I would still be here after 15 years." | Inigo: "Every time we have events such as this, whenever we get together. Actually, one of the things that I miss is the Star Magic Ball. Also, Christmas Specials; para sa akin, 'yun 'yung pinaka-memorable kasi it’s one of those rare moments na we’re all together. Kasi 'di ba nakikita lang namin 'yung isa’t-isa sa TV or sa mga guestings, pero 'yung lahat kami nasa isang lugar, and to bond and see each other, sobrang special nu'ng moments na 'yun para sa akin."
ABS-CBN also released a video titled “Andito Kami Dahil Sa Inyo” as the network’s way of thanking its loyal viewers and fans while assuring them that the company would continue to give joy and hope through its programs.
“Andito pa rin ang ating tahanan dahil pinatuloy niyo kami sa inyong mga puso. Andito pa rin ang mga ngiti dahil sa ligaya ng nadarama 'pag tayo ay magkakasama,” the video said. “Ang ating ABS-CBN mananatiling nandito.”
Produced by Geolette Esguerra
Photography by Rxandy Capinpin
Creative direction and set design by Chookie Cruz
Shoot coordination: Cara Tirona and Grace Libero-Cruz
Special thanks to ASAP (Lui Andrada, Apple Segubience, and Jasmin Pallera), ABS-CBN Corp Comm (Kane Choa, Myan Marucut, Jesselee Tintiangko, and Aaron Domingo), and Star Magic (Thess Gubi and Lauren Dyogi)
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