Arzen Rose Dulzura

“ASAP in England” kicks off with stellar surprises from Vice Ganda, Joshua Garcia, Bamboo and more

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<p>Forget about FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) because &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u><strong><em>ASAP</em></strong></u></a>&quot; brought the Birmingham concert straight to our screens with the first part of the &quot;ASAP in England&quot; telecast on its September 7 episode. </p><p>Shot inside the jam-packed BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham last August 30, the episode captured the euphoria of thousands of fans who welcomed the variety show’s return to the UK, still in celebration of its year-long 30th anniversary. With a stellar roster of performers and a global showcase of Filipino talent, this milestone event is definitely one of the biggest and most unforgettable chapters in “ASAP’s” 30-year journey.</p><p>The show opened with a visual feast as dancers in traditional Filipino costumes filled the stage against a fiesta-inspired backdrop. The ensemble of stars in the opening act also stepped out in outfits accented with Pinoy textile patterns, giving the act a distinctly cultural touch. </p><p>BINI then amped up the stage with their hit &quot;Pantropiko,&quot; bringing in that Pinoy tropical vibe capped off by a high-energy dance break that had the audience cheering along. The momentum carried on with Maki performing his viral track &quot;Namumula,&quot; joined midway by Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano to the delight of the crowd. Soon after, powerhouse divas Regine Velasquez, Angeline Quinto, and Zsa Zsa Padilla came together for “Kumusta Mga Kaibigan,” their voices soaring across the packed arena.</p><p>The next set kept the energy high as Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, KZ Tandingan, and Martin Nievera delivered “Sayawan,” followed by Kyle Echarri, Ogie Alcasid, Darren Espanto, and Gary Valenciano teaming up for an energetic rendition of “Bonggahan” with the G-Force dancers.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zxm6XjvynPs" title="WATCH: ASAP family&#x27;s special treat for Kapamilyas at &quot;ASAP in England&quot; | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The parade of stars continued with Piolo Pascual, who surprised the crowd by entering from the audience area. Fans erupted as he belted “Hallelujah,” before introducing Bamboo for a show-stopping continuation of the number. The cast then reunited on stage, joining voices for another round of “Hallelujah” before the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” frontliners officially welcomed everyone to “ASAP in England.”</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/keb-TTwCGyU" title="Bamboo and Piolo Pascual rock with Kapamilyas at ASAP in England | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Viewers at home were also taken on a side trip to The Mill Garden in Birmingham, where the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” cast enjoyed bonding. The garden is known for its vibrant seasonal flowers, neatly kept lawns, and winding pathways that feel almost fairytale-like. It sits right beside the River Avon, at the foot of the famous Warwick Castle, which makes it a nice spot for breathtaking views of the medieval fortress and its old bridge.</p><p>If the scenery was mesmerizing, the talent that followed was just as breathtaking. Filipino dancers making waves in England took center stage. Among them was Chantelle Tonnolete, 2017 Dance World Cup Champion, 2025 International Theatre Dance Awards winner, and a two-time “Britain’s Got Talent” semi-finalist. She was joined by Melvin Manumbre and Macy Galimpin of the UK’s renowned dance group The Vault Studios, as well as Anya Alindada, the first Filipino graduate of the English National Ballet School in London and who was part of the West End production Phantom of the Opera.</p><p>Together with AC Bonifacio, Maymay Entrata, and Kim Chiu, these global Filipino talents lit up the stage with an explosive, fierce dance showcase, proving that Pinoy artistry continues to captivate audiences on any stage anywhere in the world.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YgHpk4EoFU" title="Kim, Maymay, AC take over ASAP in England with fierce dance prod | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The tour of England’s highlights didn’t stop at Warwick, as Kim, Robi Domingo, Edward Barber, and Belle took viewers to the iconic streets of Notting Hill. Known worldwide as one of London’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Notting Hill is instantly recognizable for its pastel-colored houses, vibrant markets, and, of course, its status as the setting of the beloved rom-com classic starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.</p><p>Notting Hill was the perfect backdrop to segue into the next batch of ‘kilig’-filled performances on stage. From that dreamy movie setting came a modern ‘harana’ courtesy of James Reid, who sent fans into a frenzy with “Randomantic.” Walking through the audience before making his way to the stage, James turned the arena into one massive swoon fest.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-C7HPEGFEpg" title="James Reid serenades Kapamilyas with &quot;Randomantic&quot; at ASAP in England | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>More Kapamilya heartthrobs raised the temperature with a Pitbull medley that had the whole stadium on their feet. Donny opened with &quot;Give Me Everything,&quot; surprising everyone with his rarely seen sexy dance moves. Flexing his voice and muscles as he worked the stage, Kyle followed with &quot;I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho).&quot; And with his trademark high-octane energy, Darren kept the party alive with &quot;Fireball.&quot;</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QkBf7C3fEqQ" title="Kapamilya heartthrobs will make you go crazy | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Robi and Edward crashed the set in bicep-baring tops and boxer shorts, joking that they wanted in on the act too. Donny, Kyle, and Darren then ripped off their pants to reveal identical boxers, completing their new parody boyband “Wrong Direction” as they all performed &quot;One Way or Another.&quot;</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IdJ2OJzgiIg" title="Donny, Kyle, Darren, Edward, Robi steal the show as ASAP&#x27;s newest boy group | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>And just when the heat was already off the charts, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/its-okay-to-not-be-okay" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>It’s Okay to Not Be Okay</em></u></strong></a>” leading man Joshua Garcia made his entrance with a sultry and fun dance number to &quot;Daleng Dale.&quot; The stadium erupted in chaos when Joshua stripped off his leather jacket mid-performance and tossed it into the audience, making one lucky female fan the envy of thousands. The celebration of women continued as BGYO took the stage with their upbeat and sweet-sexy track &quot;All These Ladies,&quot; serenading and hyping the crowd with their signature smooth moves and boy-next-door charisma.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TgQUcycEhas" title="Joshua Garcia show off his suave dance moves at ASAP in England | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Every time “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” mounts a show overseas, one of its biggest goals is to unite artists across genres and generations on a single stage because that’s where the magic of the “ASAP” concert experience truly comes alive. These collaborations create once-in-a-lifetime moments that not only showcase individual artistry but also highlight the collective pride of Filipino music.</p><p>That spirit of unity was in full display as OPM’s finest took the spotlight together. Maki, Yeng, and KZ opened the set with a charged rendition of &quot;Liwanag Sa Dilim,&quot; rocking not just the stage but also striking at the very heartbeats of Pinoys in the crowd.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vx_Xc4_avAI" title="Yeng, KZ, Maki&#x27;s rendition of &quot;Liwanag Sa Dilim&quot; for ASAP in England | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The &#x27;rakrakan&#x27; energy was on another level when Bamboo stormed in with &quot;Elesi,&quot; his raw vocals and classic ‘90s rock vibe electrifying the entire arena. All four artists—Maki, Yeng, KZ, and Bamboo— then joined forces to deliver &quot;Awit ng Kabataan.&quot;</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GuBPWHlQQb8" title="Bamboo collabs with KZ, Yeng, Maki for &quot;Awit Ng Kabataan&quot; | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Time and again, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” has proven that when it comes to talent, Filipinos can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best. That truth was spotlighted in the next presentation, which featured Pinoy artists who have conquered some of the biggest international singing competitions, sharing the same stage with the finest “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” icons.</p><p>The segment opened with none other than Asia’s Songbird, Regine, who poured her heart into “Shine,” joined by the Haraya Choir, a Filipino choir based in England that has triumphed in multiple competitions, including a Grand Prize win at the Manchester Amateur Choir Competition.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zdc23Qiquu0" title="Regine shines alongside global singing champs at ASAP in England | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Joshua Regala, the grand champion of the Teenstars All Ireland Singing Competition in 2019, then took the spotlight alongside Darren and Erik for a moving rendition of “You Are The Reason,” leaving the crowd spellbound.</p><p>The stage turned into a celebration of girl power as Carmelle Collado and Klarisse de Guzman teamed up with Arixsandra Libantino, the Filipino finalist of Britain’s Got Talent 2013, for “The Voice Within.” This was followed by our very own &quot;The Voice USA Season 26&quot; Grand Winner Sofronio Vasquez and &quot;The Voice UK 2013&quot; alum Joseph Apostol serenading the crowd with &quot;What a Difference a Day Makes.&quot;</p><p>The powerhouse vocals continued as Morissette Amon and Jona delivered a heartfelt “Bridge Over Troubled Water” alongside Justine Afate, who made history as the Grand Champion of &quot;The Voice Kids UK&quot; in 2020.</p><p>For the finale, all the artists came together once more to reprise &quot;Shine,&quot; filling the arena with voices that blended across continents and generations, with the performance earning a thunderous standing ovation.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ_qVZMqXrM" title="WATCH: ASAP Singing Champs share the stage with Global Pinoy talents | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>When the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>ASAP</em></u></strong></a>” family traveled to England, they packed more than just their personal luggage as they also brought with them a suitcase full of good vibes. And who better to unpack all that joy than the Unkabogable Superstar? Vice Ganda stormed the stage with &quot;Hot to Go,&quot; dropping her signature brand of party-meets-grand performance.</p><p>The crowd went wild, and then even wilder, as Vice urged everyone to get on their feet and groove to the beat, hyping up the Kapamilya spirit right inside the BP Pulse Arena. “Iba ’ata ang vitamins dito sa England,” she quipped, amused at how unstoppable the energy was, with even the older members of the audience up on their feet dancing along.</p><p>Vice worked her magic offstage too, wading the crowd and picked Nemy, a Filipina who&#x27;s been working as a nurse in England for two decades. She honored her service and the contributions of all Filipino nurses everywhere before giving her a well-deserved reward—an impromptu dance with Robi that had the audience roaring. Another fan found herself in a once-in-a-lifetime moment as she danced with Kyle and Darren. </p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ORYOJytv0Qs" title="WATCH: Vice Ganda starts a dance party at ASAP in England! | ASAP" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Don’t miss Part 2 of &quot;ASAP in England&quot; next Sunday, September 14, at 12 NN on Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and TV5, online via Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u><strong>iWant</strong></u></a><u><strong></strong><strong></strong></u>, and worldwide on TFC.</p>

<p>The first part of "ASAP in England" brought nonstop kilig, surprises, and world-class Pinoy pride to the UK stage.</p>

The first part of "ASAP in England" brought nonstop kilig, surprises, and world-class Pinoy pride to the UK stage.