More than 4,000 fans from Qatar’s Filipino expatriate community turned out for Kapamilyas Live 2011, where three of the Philippines’ favourite entertainers put on a crowd-pleasing performance at the Sheraton Hotel.
Giselle Sanchez warmed up the crowd with a comedy act that had the audience roaring with laughter, punctuated with renditions of international hits from Abba and the Black Eyed Peas. She even dragged ambassador Crescente Relacion on stage to do the Cha Cha and rocked out with embassy vice consul Gilbert Segarra.
Pilipinas Got Talent Grand champion Jovit Baldivino had the whole room swaying with Tagalogue love songs and ballads. Actor-model-musician-singer Piolo Pascual was also a huge hit with the audience.
Some fans waited in line three hours before the doors opened to make sure they could sit up front. “I’m here for Piolo Pacual,” one die-hard fan said. “I’m very excited.”
“This is an offering from the local TV station from the Philippines, the ABS-CBN network to give thanks to the faithful patrons, the TFC (The Family Channel) subscribers,” said Relacion.
“We’re hoping that the family channel will bring more actors and performers in the future, and we in fact encourage them. If possible we will have a very big venue and get sponsors and charge the public nothing, that’s what we are encouraging,” Relacion added.
The overwhelming turnout and incredible response from the audience showed that the concert meant a lot to the Filipino community. A number of audience members remarked that there is a lack of big-name Filipino music acts coming to Doha, which they would like to see rectified.
“Filipinos are known for music and entertainment, they love music and dancing. Just give them a microphone and 95 percent of them could perform. So singing and performances are very welcome with the Filipino public,” added Relacion.
Fans still have one more concert to look forward to, as Filipina singer Charice Pempengco, dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as the “most talented girl in the world,” will be performing at Aspire Park on September 29.
Gulf Times
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