IT&E’s ‘Kababayan Jam’ draws big crowd in Guam

 GUAM-Three Filipino TV and movie personalities recently held a concert at the jam-packed Micronesia Mall in Guam for the Kababayan Jam 2011: Handog Saya sa Pinoy.

Offered by network provider IT&E in partnership with Globe Telecom, the two-hour show drew more than 2,000 spectators and featured Star Magic celebrities Pokwang, Coco Martin, and Cristine Reyes.

IT&E marketing service specialist Pal Lansigan told Saipan Tribune that Monday’s concert had so far the biggest crowd of the Kababayan Jam series in Guam.

He said this was the company’s first offering for the year and promised to bring more joy to their Filipino customers who have been patronizing their services throughout the years.

IT&E and Globe Telecom started the Kababayan Jam three years ago. In June 2010, they also brought in popular artists Anne Curtis and Diether Ocampo for a similar show that was also warmly welcomed by its customers. Pokwang’s group was the fourth batch since 2009.

Hundreds of spectators were already lined up as early as 2pm to wait for the start of the show. The event was scheduled for 3:30pm but minor security concerns delayed its prompt opening. Members of the audiences told Saipan Tribune, however, that it was all worth it.

If spectators went wild when comedian Pokwang appeared on stage and rendered an energetic version of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, they went even wilder as she belted out Celion Dion’s One Moment in Time as she went down to the crowd. Her finale was described by spectators as the highlight of the show.

In a later interview with Saipan Tribune, Pokwang said she was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by Filipinos in Guam. “This is my third show here in Guam and I am always looking forward to doing it again for our kababayans [countrymen]. I know it’s really difficult living away from their families, and this is only one way of cheering them up for all their sacrifices,” she said.

Pokwang did her first show in Guam in 2008 under a different company. She thanked IT&E and Globe Telecom for making her third show possible this year.

Coco Martin, for his part, made the moment especially memorable for grandmothers in the audience, as he dedicated and serenaded them with his rendition of Tayong Dalawa, the theme song for one of his television soaps of the same title.

Fans of Cristine Reyes were also entertained with her rendition of popular OPM songs Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang and Hawak Kamay.

IT&E also gave way free cellular phones, prepaid cards, gas coupons, and other gifts to spectators. Lucky customers were also given the opportunity to meet and greet Martin, Reyes, and Pokwang and have as special dinner treat with them.