Vlad Bunoan

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Justine with Jona and Morissette

Rose Eclarinal

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:692px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757316321165Chantelle with Anya and ASAP Kim,Maymay AC.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Chantelle Tonolete and Anya Alindada and Kim Chiu, Maymay Entrata &amp; AC Bonifacio. <em>Paul Fernandez</em></span></span></span></div><p>BIRMINGHAM – A week has passed since &quot;ASAP England&quot; was staged on August 30 at BP Pulse in Birmingham, yet Filipinos in the UK, across Europe, and even those watching online are still on a high from the spectacular show.</p><p>Once again, audiences were reminded why the Philippines’ longest-running musical variety program remains a favorite — not only on television but also when it goes abroad to deliver its electrifying live experience.</p><p>The return of “ASAP England “after a decade was not only a showcase of world-class Filipino talents but also a stage shared with Europe-based performers. The show paid tribute to global reality talent winners, champions, and community stars.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Dream come true for Europe-Pinoy artists</strong></div><p>For many Europe-based Filipino performers, stepping onto the ASAP stage alongside their idols was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.</p><p>Eurovision 2025 winner, Filipino-Austrian JJ Pietsch, performed a solo act with the operatic ballad “Wasted Love.”</p><p>“Super proud at super emosyonal kasi pina-follow ko lahat ng artista since I was a child. I was always watching ABS-CBN from home. And being here, to be able to share the stage with them is a full-circle moment for me,” Pietsch told ABS-CBN News.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757316253065Justine with Jona and Morissette.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Justine Afante with Jona and Morissette. <em>Paul Fernandez</em></p><p>Justine Afante shared: “My &#x27;ASAP&#x27; experience was so surreal, and I am so grateful to have performed for &#x27;ASAP England.&#x27; Being able to meet and talk to all of these artists — who my family and I have grown up loving — was a dream come true.”</p><p>Joseph Apostol recalled that his first-ever concert experience was watching a Gary Valenciano show at O2 Brixton Academy in London back in 2008, which inspired him to pursue singing.</p><p>“I grew up watching &#x27;ASAP,&#x27; and it has always been a celebration of Filipino talent in my eyes. Meeting icons like Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Sir Martin Nievera, and Sir Gary Valenciano — my childhood idols — was truly a dream come true. I tried to stay composed, but standing in front of the very people who inspired me, was absolutely surreal.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757316202782Regine with Local Talents.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Regine Velasquez with local talents. <em>Paul Fernandez</em></p><p>He added: “To perform one of my favorite jazz standards, ‘What a Difference a Day Makes,’ in front of 13,000 proud Filipinos — alongside &#x27;The Voice USA&#x27; champion Sofronio Vasquez, and joining Ms. Regine for the finale of her iconic song ‘Shine’ — is a moment I will treasure forever.”</p><p>Ayana Poblete, who joined a medley with West End performers and &quot;ASAP&quot; mainstays, said: “The energy that the kapamilya gave during the event was a sweet reminder of why performing is one of the greatest gifts I will keep on honing and sharing. The laughter and smiles are things you can never put a price on.”</p><p>Ayana is now further inspired as she prepares to portray Esmeralda in &quot;The Hunchback of Notre Dame&#x27; at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, running from October 9 to 18 as part of the production’s tour.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757316168925Martin with West End Stars.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Martin Nievera with West End stars.<em> Paul Fernandez</em></p><div> </div><div><strong>Showcasing global and local talent</strong></div><p>The roster of ASAP local performers included: JJ Pietsch (2025 Eurovision grand champion), Justine Afante (The Voice Kids UK grand winner 2020), Joshua Regala (Teenstar Ireland 2019 champion), Joseph Apostol, Gia Macuja, Chantelle Tonolete, Anya Alindada, Mikhail Lim, Arixsandra Libantino, Ayana Poblete, Angelo Paragoso, Elizabeth Lyons, Matty Juniosa, The Vault Studios, Haraya Choir, and the Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company.</p>

<p>The return of 'ASAP England' after a decade was not only a showcase of world-class Filipino talents but also a stage shared with Europe-based performers. </p>

The return of 'ASAP England' after a decade was not only a showcase of world-class Filipino talents but also a stage shared with Europe-based performers.

Global Pinoy talents grateful for ‘ASAP’ stage in England

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Global Pinoy talents grateful for ‘ASAP’ stage in England

Rose Eclarinal,

ABS-CBN News United Kingdom

Published Sep 08, 2025 03:27 PM PHT

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ASAP England

Global Pinoy

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