The lead stars of “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” had a great time with their Kapuso fans all over the world in the recently held GMA Pinoy TV’s FunCon last November 9.
Present in the online fan meeting was Kapuso Queen of Creative Collaborations Heart Evangelista who plays the role of Celeste, a beautiful and headstrong fashion designer in Manila and her journey to her hometown, Sorsogon. Joining her are Kapuso leading men Richard Yap and Paolo Contis who plays the characters of Tonito and Mikoy respectively.
Also starring in this drama series are Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi who will be playing as loveteam on their first teleserye together. Slated also in this new romance drama series is Miss World Philippines 2019 Michelle Dee.
To rev up the FunCon, the cast played with their fans in the game titled “I Left My Heart In” wherein they sketched their most favorite place and their fans were asked to guess it. All the players received two tickets to Julie Anne San Jose’s “Limitless Part 2: Heal.”
Selected Zoom participants along with Filipino-foreign press were able to ask the cast about the drama series. Heart said that she felt mixed emotions on her teleserye comeback knowing that TV productions are mostly done through lock-in taping.
“Na-excite ako nang sobra kasi nga parang ang tagal-tagal. Four years na akong hindi nagso-soap. Tapos sa Sorsogon, lalo ako na-excite. Although hindi ko itatago na kinabahan ako kasi with the pandemic, alam ko nga lock-in taping ito. But then, I’m so happy na lahat ng nakasama ko, sobrang bait nilang lahat. Parang naging family na kami. So okay na rin,” she answered.
She also said that the series is close to real life and not the usual fairytale-type of telenovela.
“It’s unique in a way na walang kontrabida. Parang lahat ng characters, lahat kami ipapakita namin ‘yung bad side and good side which is in real life, hindi tayo perfect and everything,” she added.
Heart also shares how grateful she is that the bosses in GMA Entertainment Group gave a nod on doing this project.
“Hindi siya masyadong napag-uusapan. It’s finally na may spotlight sa kanila [Sorsogon]. And I also want to inject that the story itself is so beautiful.”
Richard Yap thinks this series is world-class and a fresh sight that will surely delight many viewers abroad. This is his series as a Kapuso.
“The best part of the show is that naipakita natin at na-elevate natin ang teleserye into world class teleserye dahil naipakita natin kung ano ang maganda sa Pilipinas,” Richard said.
He also said that he gained a lot of new friends while doing the soap. “The best part of this show is meeting all these people that I’m working with and being able to work with them. Parang nadagdagan ‘yung mga taong malapit sa puso sa buhay.”
Paolo Contis believes that Sorsogon is a hidden paradise that everyone should see.
“I hope this won’t be the last show na napapakita natin ang ganda ng bansa natin. I think it’s time na maipakita natin ‘yung ganda ng Pilipinas,” he said.
When Michelle found out that she was cast for the show, she said she was excited to work and travel at the same time.
“When I got to Sorsogon, it was such a beautiful place. Parang bakit hindi ko naisip na pumunta rito? Sobrang ganda pala. On top of that, the chemistry we have with each other and the relationship we built, sobrang ganda rin. Bonus din na we were able to become friends. Work doesn’t really feel like work anymore,” she said.
A proud Bicolana herself, Kapuso Breakout Star Kyline Alcantara said that this teleserye reignited her passion for acting.
“Siguro ang best highlight is nakapagtrabaho po ulit ako. Kaso sobrang na-miss ko na magtrabaho ulit eh. Sobrang na-miss kong umarte ulit. And siyempre, bilang Bikolana, I agree with all of them na sobrang saya ko na naipakita ang ganda ng Sorsogon.”
Mavy Legaspi, treasures the people he worked with in his first TV series. Although being away from his family was a struggle, he found a new family with his co-workers.
“Besides the beautiful places in Sorsogon, the best part is being with the best cast. Naging family na rin sila.”
To wish them good luck on their series premiere this November 15, some of their friends and loved ones sent surprised video greetings.
Arra San Agustin shared how she and Michelle had a great time when they bonded in the USA. Mavy couldn’t help but be emotional upon watching the heartwarming message of his parents Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi. Kyline was surprised to see her mother’s greeting.
“Bubble Gang” stars Sef Cadayona and Betong Sumaya shared how genuine Paolo is as a person and as a mentor in comedy. Betong even revealed that Paolo gave him “ayuda” during the pandemic. Richard Yap’s daughter Ashley Yap expressed how supportive his father is with her OOTD posts on social media. Heart’s sister Mich Ongpauco and her husband Chiz Escudero surprised her with their touching video messages.
GMA Pinoy TV gave away Mavshack vouchers and GMA Virtual Studio Tours tickets to lucky Zoom participants. Before the virtual event concluded, the stars along with their fans posed for a souvenir group photo.
Heart promised Kapuso fans all over the world that this series will fill their hearts with love and excitement.
“I think it’s a work of art. This is going to show us as human beings. People can relate to it. And of course the fashion is really like I’ve never done. I gave my 101% and actually everybody did,” Heart added.
In a series of social media posts, Heart’s friends and international celebrities Kane Lim, Brandon Boyd, Kelly Mi Li, Christian Louboutin, and Kevin Kwan expressed their support for the program.
Watch the upcoming TV special of the “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon FunCon” soon on GMA Pinoy TV.
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