Arzen Rose Dulzura

Sessionistas reminisce on their fondest memories, first-time appearances on “ASAP”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741653142295Thumb-Feature (8).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>The country’s favorite all-star Sunday noontime party, “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>,” is celebrating its 30th anniversary this 2025. And what better to way for the artists who used and/or have become valuable part of it than to reminisce about their fondest memories on the show, just like what some members of the ASAP Sessionistas did in this video! Those who have been watching “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASAP</a>” over the past decades, especially in the early 2010s, could probably recall that “Sessionistas” was among the most well-loved segments, in which some of the talented and popular hitmakers in the OPM scene serenade us with timeless songs that truly tugged at the heartstrings.  <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FASAPofficials%2Fvideos%2F1165535915360048%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>And for this special ASAP 30th anniversary tribute video, seven of them showed up to reminisce their fondest memories in the long-running musical variety program, as well as to convey their heartwarming messages to everyone who was and has become part of it.  Ice Seguerra, Juris Fernandez, Sitti Navarro, and Duncan Ramos, who are all part of Batch 2009, all conveyed their gratitude to <a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a> not just for allowing them to showcase their talents but also for putting them together in one group, with whom they’ve found genuine friends in the industry and in life.  “Maraming salamat, ‘ASAP,’ at binuo n’yo kami. And on a more personal note, salamat din sa ‘ASAP’ kasi ‘yong kind of music that I do, which is bossa nova, hindi naman talaga siya kilala or mainstream. But because of ‘ASAP,’ mas nakilala siya ng mas maraming tao. So, thank you, ‘ASAP,’” Sitti said.  Princess Velasco, who first came into the show in 2010, thanked “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” not only for paving the way for her to be able to work with other Pinoy singers and be part of the “Sessionistas,” but also for her to become famous.  Batch 2012 representatives Nyoy Volante and Kean Cipriano are both grateful to “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” for letting their music be heard by more people, with the latter imparting how his stint on the program allowed him to explore other genres aside from rock and be seen by his family based abroad.  The group went on to recall how their mutual love for food had bound them even more, as they used to usually eat together in between their rehearsals or the show proper. Being the last ones to join the Sessionistas, with Ice pointing out that their segment started to dwindle upon their arrival, Nyoy and Kean poked fun at themselves by remarking that they might be the ‘curse.’  One by one, they then reminisced on their unforgettable first-time appearances on “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>,” starting with Ice, who has been appearing on the show even before he became a regular in 2009. He recounted that the show was still shot in a different venue at the time and how that guesting boosted his confidence to pursue a career in singing. Before becoming an official “Sessionista,” Juris made her “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” debut when she was still in a band, while Sitti made hers when her breakthrough hit, “Para Sa Akin,” was launched in 2006. She remembered being joined by Rica Peralejo in the production number and how Inspirational Diva Jamie Rivera helped her after she experienced a wardrobe malfunction. Princess, meanwhile, had a memorable encounter with Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual when she was initially tasked to just play the guitar for him—which was already okay for her—yet she ended up singing with him upon his request. Nyoy also has never forgotten his first-ever “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” gig that happened between 2005 and 2006 at a special occasion since he got to perform alongside Aga Muhlach. Kean was still a part of a band when he first appeared on the musical variety show, and he could forget how overwhelmed he was, especially during the show proper. The same happened with Duncan, who confessed feeling too nervous the first time he stepped on the “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” stage to promote a project of Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano. With regard to their most unforgettable “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” experience, Ice shared that it was when he was assigned a fashion stylist in order to improve his appearance. It was after one of the show’s higher-ups noticed that he tended to always wear sandals every time he performed.  Among Juris’ favorite memories was their rehearsals, while it was when they became part of the iconic ABS-CBN Christmas ID “Star ng Pasko” for Sitti since it has remained popular up to the present. For Princess, it was her first-ever performance as a certified Sessionista and it happened during “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>”’s tour in Boracay. Nyoy, on the other hand, recounted the time when his manager reprimanded him after a photo of him while sleeping inside a bus with his mouth agape made it to a newspaper. Although it was funny, it made him realize the huge responsibility he has as an artist. Kean then recalled a funny encounter he had with Juris. The ASAP Sessionistas wrapped up the video by greeting “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">ASAP</a>” with a “Happy 30th Anniversary!”

ASAP Sessionistas look back on their unforgettable memories and first-time appearances on the long-running musical variety show as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

ASAP Sessionistas look back on their unforgettable memories and first-time appearances on the long-running musical variety show as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.