Empoy’s charm

I HAD another chance to board the MLhuillier Sinulog support float with the company’s next endorser, Empoy Marquez. The MLhuillier main float won third place.

Last year, it was Jericho Rosales and his son who boarded the float. Last Sunday, I realized how popular Empoy is among the Sinulog grand parade spectators. I could hardly believe that the shouts and screams for him equalled those given to Jericho.

Empoy had his funny antics to his credit. He danced to the beat of the chants, removed his shades and widened his eyes or simply blew and caught flying kisses to earn the admiration from the crowd composed of practically all ages.

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E-Group members interviewed GMA 7 stars who came to entertain Sto. Niño devotees in some areas in the metropolis. Dennis Trillo and Lovi Poe of “The One That Got Away,” Ruru Madrid and Matt Evans of “Sherlock Jr.” and Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali met us in a luncheon interview at an uptown resto.

Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista and Julie Anne San Jose later gave us an idea of their “3 Stars, 1 Heart” concert the following day. Show director Paolo Valenciano and musical director Raul Mitra enlightened us on the technical aspects of the show.

I personally liked Paolo’s idea of letting the singers stay longer onstage rather than exit when their solo exposures are done and of Regine, Christian and Julie Anne exchanging their original songs. Brilliant.

The Cebu leg served as the show’s launch.

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ABS-CBN stars Coleen Garcia, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Julia Montes, Aljur Abrenica, Jodi Sta. Maria, Shaina Magdayao and Richard Yap joined the Pista Senyor celebration.