Arzen Rose Dulzura

ASAP’s 30th Anniversary Homecoming is a star-studded reunion filled with music and memories

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740961796754Thumb (16).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>For 30 years, “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” has been the stage where Filipino talent shines at its brightest through world-class performances that defined generations, and where every Kapamilya has found a home, singing and dancing along with their favorite artists since 1995. As the noontime show marks its 30th anniversary, it’s bringing everyone back home for the ultimate reunion of OG icons and today’s biggest stars.</p><p>“<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>&#x27;s” March 2 episode was a celebration that hit all the right notes–nostalgic yet energetic, uniting pioneers and next-gen artists for one spectacular Sunday afternoon! Welcome home, ASAP fam! </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6dCjNS2cqwMgD"></script><p>Live from ABS-CBN Studio 10, the grand #ASAPHomecoming kicked off with a jolt of excitement, as main hosts Robi Domingo, Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, and Janine Gutierrez got the party started with their spiels. Setting the nostalgic yet electrifying tone of the opening act was Gary Valenciano&#x27;s soul-stirring intro of “Together in Electric Dreams,&quot; wrapped in the vibrant rush of ‘90s and early 2000s ASAP feels. As the song turned upbeat, Darren Espanto and Kyle Echarri jumped in, raising the energy even higher with their dynamic vocals and killer moves. The tandem took it up a notch with a pulse-racing dance break, before rejoining Gary as they all hyped up the crowd.  </p><p>The live feed cut to the outside of the studio right in the middle of the ABS-CBN compound, where they put up a second stage reminiscent of the “ASAP Fanatic” setup. The throwback feels continued with Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano aka DonBelle serving sweet vocals with a duet of “Dreams” by The Cranberries. The transitions between studio performances and outdoor stages gave the show a fresh, unpredictable intensity—just like the “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” we all grew up with. Over on the outdoor setup, Robi, Maymay, Edward, and Janine had everyone swaying to &quot;I&#x27;ll Be There&quot; by The Rembrandts. And making a quick appearance, Kim Chiu lit up the stage with a short-but-sassy dance number. </p><p>Back inside the studio, Regine Velasquez&#x27;s powerhouse vocals filled the room with a stunning rendition of &quot;Rather Be,&quot; seamlessly leading into a full-throttle dance break by today’s dance floor dominators–Gab Valenciano, Gela Atayde, AC Bonifacio, Ken San Jose, and Jeremy G.  </p><p>Then came a true homecoming that hit all the feels. As if straight out of a ‘90s time capsule, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/2/8/og-host-pops-fernadez-looks-back-on-asap-s-humble-beginnings-we-made-it-work-2232" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Pops Fernandez, one of ASAP’s pioneer hosts from 1995</u></strong></a>, appeared on stage singing &quot;All Things (Just Keep Getting Better).&quot; Zsa Zsa Padilla joined in, and together, they passed the spotlight to young divas Lyka Estrella, Carmelle Collado, and Marielle Montellano. </p><p>Ogie Alcasid, Yeng Constantino, and Angeline Quinto kept the rhythm in full swing as they took on Elton John&#x27;s &quot;I&#x27;m Still Standing.&quot; From the main stage, the cameras cut to Martin Nievera walking down a backstage gallery of “ASAP” memorabilia as he kick started the singing of the show’s original theme song, &quot;Better Than Ever.&quot; He made his way back to the stage, where he was joined by Erik Santos and Sofronio Vasquez, before all “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” Kapamilyas capped off the opening act with a massive sing-along.  </p><p>After that supercharged start, the mood turned sentimental as OG hosts Pops and Martin reminisced “ASAP’s” humble beginnings, from the it’s early days at Delta Theater to becoming the longest-running Sunday noontime variety show in the country. The conversation turned a little more poignant when a special video message from “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>’s” pioneer director, Johnny &quot;Mr. M&quot; Manahan, played on-screen. &quot;It takes a lot of talent, a lot of imagination for a show to stay there for 30 years,&quot; Mr. M reflected as he gave credit to the team working tirelessly behind the scenes. As Pops held back her tears, Martin (who actually gave the show its title) turned to the camera and honored Mr. M, “Thirty years ago, you brought ‘ASAP’ to where it is today.” </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6dTF-jM-mN2dZ"></script><p>The anniversary bash surged into the second gap where the spotlight shifted to another ASAP OG—Ariel Rivera, who was one of the show’s original hosts alongside Pops, Martin, and Puerto Rican beauty queen Dayanara Torres. To honor his legacy, the ASAP Birit Queens—Angeline Quinto, Jona, Morissette Amon, and Klarisse de Guzman—reunited to deliver a medley of his greatest hits “Sana Kahit Minsan,” “Sa Aking Puso,” “Wala Kang Katulad,” and “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.” Regine joined them in the finale with a  soaring reprise of “Ayoko Na Sana.&quot; </p><div><iframe width="911" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2fDUp7DHnfo" title="WATCH: Birit Queens&#x27; ASAP homecoming! | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="911" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLFhRNy5mgg" title="Angeline&#x27;s beautiful rendition of &#x27;Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin&#x27; | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="911" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZOdQo-f-nzg" title="Listen to a &#x27;Reginified&#x27; version of &#x27;Ayoko Na Sana&#x27; | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>From one stunning moment to another, Kim emerged in silhouette against the glow of a full moon before diving into a mesmerizing dance performance of “Fly Me to the Moon.” The crowd got more lost in that dreamy atmosphere when Joshua Garcia made his entrance, effortlessly stealing hearts with his signature swabe moves. </p><p>Cristine Reyes, one of “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>”’s dance goddesses from the early 2010s, made a sultry homecoming with a hot cowgirl-themed number, back-to-back with the current Dance Sirens—Loisa Andalio, Chie Filomeno, and Anji Salvacion—who brought a sizzling yet sweet retro diner-inspired routine. </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6h0Mhh9qs1baO"></script><p>Of course, no homecoming is ever complete without a little kilig. Two of “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>”’s biggest heartthrobs Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby had the crowd swooning with a romantic serenade of Coldplay&#x27;s “Yellow” and “Fix You.” Passing the torch to the new-gen Rockoustic Heartthrobs, Jarren Garcia, Blackburn, Kobi Brown, Anthony Meneses, and Luke Alford had the ladies blushing with their version of &quot;Wonderwall&quot; by Oasis.  </p><p>James Reid and Maki blended their voices perfectly with the former&#x27;s sun-drenched love song “Mirasol,&quot; which  felt like a golden-hour confession of love. Closing this segment on a high note, Zsa Zsa delivered a breathtaking tribute to American singer Roberta Flack, pouring raw emotion into every note of “Killing Me Softly.”  </p><p>The grand homecoming was then filled with love-struck vibe with Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino aka KimPau&#x27;s kilig duet of “Your Song.” </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6iiMm8umdSTk1"></script><p>Then, in a complete shift of mood, the “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” stage transformed into a dance arena with the return of the  iconic ASAP SupahDance U segment. Legendary dance guru Georcelle Dapat-Sy of G-Force led the charge, joined by Darren, who matched her every move with effortless swag. The current SupahDance crew—Ken, Gela, AC, and Gab—brought the house down with their routine.  </p><p>And here&#x27;s the most exciting part of this segment—Teacher Georcelle leading a full-on dance class right on stage just like the old times. Joining in the fun were the ASAP Dance Sirens, iWant ASAP hosts Emilio Daez and Jeremy G, PBB Gen 11 housemates Kolette Madelo, Jas Dudley-Sclaes, JM Ibarra, and Fyang Smith, plus hosts Maymay, Edward, Belle, and Robi. </p><p>Slowing things down for a deeply emotional moment, Angeline Quinto and Jed Madela belted out “Hanggang Dulo,” the theme song of the newest teleserye on primetime, &quot;Saving Grace: The Untold Story.&quot; As their soaring vocals filled the air, the cast—Julia Montes, Sam Milby, Jennica Garcia, Christian Bables, Elise Joson, Mary Joy Apostol,  Aya Fernandez, PJ Endrinal, Erik Fructuoso, and Zia Grace—stood in the background. After the song, everyone talked about the teleserye&#x27;s highly anticipated primetime premiere and took a sweet moment to give Julia an early birthday greeting. </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6jNRwFB9kgTU7"></script><p>For the grand finale of the #ASAPhomecoming, the “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” family recalled on one of the most challenging chapters in their 30-year journey—the pandemic. It was a time of fear and uncertainty, when the show’s very existence seemed at risk. The performers relived the struggles of that era, when live entertainment came to a screeching halt, and they feared losing their platform to perform. </p><p>But through resilience and an unshakable love for their craft, they found ways to keep the show alive. Virtual performances became the new normal, an ambitious setup that demanded exhausting effort from both the artists and the production team. But despite the limitations, they made it work until their slow return to the studio. However, there were no live audience, just a sea of faces watching through Zoom. Swab tests, strict distancing, and the looming anxiety of getting sick became part of their reality. Some faced personal battles behind the scenes, but pushed through pain just to keep the music playing. </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABU6kha5_uHTgN1a"></script><p>And yet, as Martin powerfully puts it, &quot;It&#x27;s gonna take more than a pandemic to stop the force that is ASAP.&quot; He says the real magic of the show are the people behind the cameras, the Kapamilyas who refuse to let the music stop, no matter the odds. </p><p>In one breathtaking moment, the ASAP Kapamilyas, each wearing their batch shirts, stood together on stage. Leading the heartfelt performance of &quot;Pagsubok&quot; were Martin, Gary, Zsa Zsa, Regine, Ogie, Yeng, Angeline, and Pops, alongside an orchestra. The rest of the <a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a> artists stood shoulder to shoulder, singing with full hearts.  </p><p>The celebration is far from over! “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ASAP</u></strong></a>” is just getting started, with even more thrilling surprises and epic performances lined up as the 30th anniversary party continues. </p>