Dumaguete, Negros Oriental—Past talent shows have seen thousands of aspirants travelling all the way from their respective provinces to Manila in search for stardom. While this has been the trend for the past few years, GMA Network still dared to be different.
Through its widest reality-talent program Bet ng Bayan, GMA is going around the regions to scour for the best local bets. Currently, Bet ng Bayan is already on its third leg—the regional showdown—and one of the very recent areas it visited was Dumaguete, the so-called City of Gentle People.
Six qualified contestants from Dumaguete, Cebu, and Bohol were featured in the Bet sa Kantahan, Bet sa Sayawan, andBet sa Kakaibang Talento categories of the Central and Eastern Visayas Regional Finals held at the Capitol Grounds, coinciding with the annual Buglasan Festival. Find out the winners via its national airing on Sunday, November 9, afterKapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.
Witness to this spectacular fete were no less than the Bet ng Bayan hosts themselves, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Ilustrado lead star Alden Richards. Serving as event judges were Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, renowned composer Louie Ocampo, and Soul Princess and Fearless Diva Jonalyn Viray.
“It’s pretty exciting kasi normally hindi ko naman nakikita ‘yung mga gagawin nila eh. Although I meet them, there’s like a meet and greet with them just to know them a little bit para at least I know how to handle them kapag nag-interview portion na. Hindi ko rin tinatanong kung ano ‘yung gagawin nila para ma-surprise rin ako,” said Regine, who herself amused the Dumagueteños as she delivered a spectacular opening act and spoke to them in fluent Bisaya.
Being someone who has climbed her way to success, the multi-awarded singer gave a piece of advice to today’s generation of aspiring stars. “Talent will open doors to endless possibilities, but at the end of the day, it’s the combination of talent and hard work that will make an artist successful,” she said.
For his part, Alden mingled with the audience while doing side reports in between performances that in turn, endeared him more to his fans. “I have been a witness to how blessed and gifted the Filipinos truly are. Ang gagaling at ang huhusay ng kanilang ipinamamalas na talento sa entablado at nakakatuwang makita na todo ang suportang iniaabot ng kanilang mga kababayan,” shared the actor.
Meanwhile, first to set the festive mood that evening, via a Kapuso Promo Tour, were the cast of afternoon series Ang Lihim ni Annasandra composed of Andrea Torres, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Pancho Magno, who treated their supporters to a night of pure entertainment through exciting games and thrilling performances.
Overwhelmed by the estimated crowd of 8,000 who partied their way to the venue, Dr. Nick Elman, Co-Chairman of Buglasan Festival, shared how extremely happy and deeply grateful Governor Roel Ragay Degamo was for the “first-ever biggest and greatest show of Kapuso stars and regional talents in the history of Buglasan Festival in Negros Oriental.”
“We couldn’t thank Governor Degamo enough for his kind words. It really means a lot coming from him. We’re just so proud and honored to have been given the opportunity to mount an event this big,” said Oliver Amoroso, GMA Regional TV’s AVP and Head for Regional Strategy Business and Development Division.
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