DAVAO CITY – The strong appeal and drawing power of young stars from the Kapuso Network was proven once more when they graced the recent 73rd Araw ng Dabaw celebration.

Last Tuesday (March 16), thousands lined up the streets of Ramon Magsaysay Ave. all the way to Rizal Park to catch a glimpse of Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal, stars of “The Last Prince,” and Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio and Jhake Vargas, stars of “First Time,” and the StarStruck V Ultimate Male Survivor Steven Silva, who incidentally is from this city and was in his first homecoming. Earlier, Steven and his fellow “StarStruck” finalists, Sarah Lahbati (Ultimate Female Survivor), Diva Montelaba (First Princess), Enzo Pineda (First Prince), and Rocco Nacino (Second Prince), joined a motorcade around town and then performed at the SM City’s Event Centre. This kicked off the Kapuso Network’s celebration of Araw ng Dabaw. Steven sang “Ako’y Sa Yo, Ikaw ay Akin,” and showcased the dance he performed during the StarStruck V Final Judgement.

The day before, at the Gaisano Mall (G-Mall), the popular young GMA-7 talents, together with the Sexbomb Dancers, drew thousands (more than eight thousand inside and outside the mall per Gaisano traffic) of adoring and shrieking fans, young and old. This is said to be the biggest GMA crowd ever in the G-Mall of Davao. Prior to the show, the first few episodes of GMA-7’s kantaserye “Diva” (starring Regine Velasquez) was also shown to the public.

The Sexbomb Dancers (minus Rochelle Pangilinan) were also at the Barangay Bankerohan Gym (at 7 a.m. last Sunday) to judge for the Sayaw Galaw Automation Dance which was aired live on “Una Ka Bai,” which is hosted by Sarah Jane Hilomen (our Bulletin girl in Davao who was formerly with Panorama).

Early Monday night, we went to watch the Kapuso Amateur Boxing Cup where 20 pairs of boxing hopefuls competed. The winner received his prize from Steven Silva at the City Hall Drive. Steven was with his aunt, Beth Lao Galang. It was Beth who convinced Steven to audition for “StarStruck V” when he came over for his internship as chef at the Marco Polo Hotel. Steven is a graduate of Culinary Arts and he was hoping to become a chef if showbiz did not get in the way.

At the Marco Polo Hotel (where we were billeted), Steven was warmly welcomed by the chefs with whom he worked with in his internship.

On March 18, after coming from the Araw ng Dabaw celebration, Steven left for the US where he, and fellow GMA talents like Mark Herras are part of GMA’s Pinoy TV show. It will also be his chance to visit his parents who reside in Sacramento, California.

Aljur & Kris: Just friends?

In an interview after their show, Aljur Abrenica expressed delight for the success of his and Kris Bernal’s loveteam, citing with pride that “The Last Prince” is their 7th pairing. Although they are so sweet onstage (embracing and kissing tenderly to delight their fans) they both admit they are “just friends.” But Aljur said “si Kris ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang babae sa buhay ko...”

As to what fans can look forward to with the tandem, Aljur said he and Kris will be in “Party Pilipinas” that will replace “SOP.” By the way, if Aljur seems to be in Cloud 9 these days, it’s because the case of lasciviousness filed against him by a girl has been dismissed by the court. Now, he can continue with his fast-rising career without concern. He will just focus on work, he said.

First-timers amazed by fans’ warm welcome

The stars of “First Time,” Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza and Jhake Vargas were amazed at the big crowd at the Gaisano Mall that gave them a very warm welcome. They’ve been to various festivals in the provinces (like in Cebu, Baguio, Bukidnon and Bacolod) but the crowd at Gaisano Mall overwhelmed them. “We did not expect such a big, big crowd,” they said.

Only 12 years old, Barbie started out as a commercial model when she was 10. She lives in Biñan, Laguna and is in Grade 6. What she would like to be someday is to be a versatile actress like Marian Rivera.

Joshua is 15, a high school student and he hopes to be a chiropractor someday. As to being an actor, he hopes to be able to reach Dingdong Dantes or Piolo Pascual’s level. Joshua by the way is a former Kapamilya talent.

Barbie and Joshua are a loveteam but they say it’s not yet time for them to fall in love.

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Sam Concepcion receives Gold Record award

Sam Concepcion has added another feather to his already colorful cap. The teen heartthrob’s self-titled debut album is now certified gold, and he received recently his Gold Record Award on “ASAP XV” from Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy Go. This surprise came after the launch of his current single “Missed You” from his latest DVD release “Pop Class.” Produced by Platinum Producer Ito Rapadas, Sam’s debut CD includes the hits “Even If,” “I’ll Find Your Heart” and “Happy.”

Sam instantly captured the public’s heart when he won in the ABS-CBN talent show “Little Big Star” in 2006. He has since won numerous commendations and awards like a string of Candy Magazine’s Cutie Awards, Nickelodeon’s Pinoy Wannabe Award, Pure N’ Fresh Top Teen Awards, Top Teen Male Entertainer Award and Favorite New Artist in the 3rd MYX Music Awards.

Sam also topbilled Stages’ production of “High School Musical,” which was a critical and commercial success. He also broke new grounds when he was tasked to sing the theme song “Kung Fu Fighting” of the international animated movie “Kung Fu Panda.” This feat made him the first local artist to have sung for the Hollywood film company Dreamworks.

On television, Sam was the unforgettable Boy Bawang in the superserye “Super Inggo,” as young Piolo Pascual in “Walang Kapalit,” as Betty La Fea’s younger brother in the ABS-CBN adaptation of the hit Colombian franchise, as the young and handsome Bobet in “Your Song Presents Boystown” and on “ASAP” where he is a part of the Gigger Boys and A-Pop.

Sam has also been lauded for his numerous advocacies. He is the Dept. of Education’s ambassador and a World Vision stalwart.

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2nd Impact Awards set Monday night, March 22

On it’s 8th year of successful television broadcasting, “Up Close and Personal (UCAP)” continues with the 2nd Impact Award, an annual tradition of recognizing individuals and entities from the various sectors of society who helped shape the country’s development and provide service for the common good Monday, March 22 at the Hotel Intercontinental Ballroom, Makati City.

Responsible journalism is the continuing objective of this tele-magazine talk show, which airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m. on IBC 13. It has been in the forefront of sharing positive information amid the prevalence of bad news borne by irresponsible and biased media reporting. With the Impact Award, UCAP has entered a new dimension and the award becomes a refreshing and ultra-positive contribution to national development.

The awards cover eight categories: Good Governance in the Government Sector, International Diplomacy, Business and Trade, Housing and Real Estate, Outstanding Service by Advocacy Groups, Media and the Arts, Medical Service and Legal Service.

Major sponsors of the event are Poshome Global Corp., Pag-Ibig Fund, Home Guaranty Corp., Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Sonia Aquino, Veterans Bank, Focus Media and Muebles Italiano. For inquiries, e-mail at millicentproductions@yahoo.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, March 22, go to Anya Katigbak, Beverly T. Alforque, Fr. Elias Tanopo, Mrs. Filomena Batungbakal, Atty. Ed Oliva, Mrs. Lydia Loyola and Baby Naidas Zapata…Happy wedding anniversary to Ray and Helen Sampilo of Queens Village, New York…