In celebration of the 121st Philippine Independence Day, Fil-American Kapuso stars Tom Rodriguez and Megan Young reconnected with their kababayans in the US through vibrant fiestas and back-to-back activities in San Diego and Chicago, respectively.
Last June 1, Dragon Lady leading man Tom Rodriguez serenaded thousands of Kapuso fans at Kimball Park in San Diego, California during the Mabuhay Festival 2019. The event, sponsored by GMA Pinoy TV and DISH Network, was filled with colourful acts and booths from various Fil-Am organizations.
The Kapuso actor’s energetic and kilig-filled performances added more spectacle to the event. He also sang duet numbers with Dr. Tess Mauricio, ‘America’s Favorite Dermatologist’ and the host of GMA Pinoy TV’s reality show All in the Family, and Rachel Bernardo, one of the finalists fromThe Clash.
Prior to the Mabuhay Festival, Tom got to visit four schools in San Diego whose students are mostly Fil-Am– Mira Mesa High School, Olympian High School, Otay Ranch High School, and Sweetwater High School – to give an inspirational talk about success, heartbreaks, failures, pursuing one’s dreams, never giving up, and the importance of loving your family.
Tom also thanked his kababayans for coming to the event to celebrate Philippine Independence with him. “It was an amazing experience and what makes it different from my other performances here abroad is that it’s literally in my backyard. I grew up very near here and I frequented San Diego but I’ve never performed here [before], so it feels so close to me,” said the Kapuso star.
During his trip, Tom had the chance to reunite with his family in the U.S., making the celebration even more special. “Thank you so much for showing up and for supporting me with my visit here back to my home ground. Hopefully, we can do this again even during my personal visits to my family here in San Diego and hopefully I can also get the chance to see all of you and hang out with some of you.”
The following week, Miss World 2013 Megan Young flew to Chicago, Illinois for the Piyesta Pinoy 2019, the biggest Filipino event in the Midwest that annually celebrates the Philippine Independence Day. It was held last June 8 at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center and was led by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF).
With grace and poise, Megan taught our Kapuso abroad how to walk like a beauty queen. She also performed song numbers with local Fil-Am residents. It was a day full of fun and surprises with local performances and art workshops led by Pinoy artists.
Megan also had a courtesy call at the Philippine Consulate in Chicago where she met Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin and bonded with the Pinoys in Chicago during her stay.
“I always love traveling and meeting our Kapuso from all over the world. It has been a great pleasure spending this year’s Philippine Independence Day with fellow Pinoys here in Chicago. It feels so good to be Pinoy!” shared Megan who is set to be the lead star in the upcoming Kapuso horror-drama series Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko.
Both festivities in San Diego and Chicago were made possible through the exclusive media sponsorship of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA’s flagship international channel.
For more updates on Kapuso events abroad, follow GMA Pinoy TV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@gmapinoytv) and visit the GMA Pinoy TV official website at www.gmapinoytv.com.
Viewers abroad can watch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA Pinoy TV. To subscribe to the GMA Pinoy Pack, call DISH Network at 1-800-898-2681.
