TFC Brings Together The Filipino Community In The First OKGo! In Korea

The Filipino Channel (TFC) welcomed hundreds of Filipinos as the premier network brought its much-talked about event One Kapamilya Go! (OKGo!) to the “Land of the Morning Calm” in April at the Dong Sung Middle High School Auditorium in Hyewadong.

Headlining TFC’s biggest event in Korea to date are the most exciting Kapamilya stars performing their iconic music and international covers: Dance Empress Maja Salvador; Kapamilya Heartthrob Rayver Cruz; MOR 101.9’s DJ Cha Cha and Soul Diva KZ Tandingan.

From start to finish, deafening screams welcomed the Kapamilya stars beginning with Rayver who opened with covers of international hits. He simmered down with Jireh’s viral hit “Buco” to which the ladies gushed to in delight. Once he gave the ladies a chance to join him, a handful of ladies volunteered.

Host plus book author DJ Cha Cha had to conduct an impromptu contest to let the one contest winner to spend an entire song’s worth with Rayver.

While Rayver brought the thrills, KZ delivered powerful performances that left the audience in awe. Most applauded were her own hits “Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Mahal Ko, O Mahal Ako.”

Bringing the house down with her exciting dance numbers is Maja who showed she could sing as well as she could dance as she performed her own hit “Dahan Dahan” among other hits.

The crowd went wild when Rayver joined perennial dancing partner Maja in a medley of Gary Valenciano dance hits.

Ailene Averion, managing director for ABS-CBN Asia Pacific shares that she was more than surprised when she received such a positive response from the Filipinos in South Korea. “Filipinos in the country are yearning for entertainment from the homeland and this was evident in how hundreds came. In fact, we even had to add seats to accommodate more.”

In addition Averion said: “At the end of the concert, Filipino wanted more. This clamor further inspires us not only to bring OKGo! but other events as well that will entertain, further inspire and make Filipinos proud of the Filipino artistry.”

The positive feedback also reverberated with the Filipino community and the Philippine post in South Korea. No less than Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez came to watch the show.

According to H.E. Hernandez “Our fellow Filipinos do their best to fit in Korea’s strict and competitive workplace culture. So they experience various levels of stress in addition to working hard for their families’ future.”

Hernandez adds, given the pressure, Filipinos here look forward to every opportunity to keep their mind off work during weekends, be reminded of home and revel in the pride of being a Filipino. “Given this type of pressure, Filipinos living in Korea try to take advantage of every opportunity to relax during weekends, be reminded of home and revel in the pride of being Filipino.”

Like the kababayans in South Korea, Ambassador Hernandez was also impressed. “The level of entertainment I have seen at OKGo! is very high. I was impressed with the professionalism and the ability to carry on regardless of the situation. They’re really troopers. I can truly say world-class talaga ang Pinoy.”

H.E. Hernandez said that what is heartening for him is that the event did not only showcase the Filipino artistry but as well as advocacy. During the pre-show host Roy Perez and Grazee Asis reminded the overseas Filipinos in the area to vote as designated places had just opened that day, via TFC’s #Vote4ASelfieWorthyPH campaign.

Indeed “OKGo!” has gone past being one of TFC’s signature events that elicit Filipino pride but has also become a coming together of the Filipino community and celebration of our nationalism.

OKGo! Korea was made possible by Philippine Airlines, SMDC, and Moneygram with the support of Fr. Alfredo G. Africa Jr. of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants; distribution partners Roger Amboy of the Hyehwadong Catholic Community and Dawn Pantejo of the Ansan Community; event coordinator Dinah Magat of Philtrust Corporation ; performers Be CaFe Dance Group, Belle Ariola of the Ansan Community and Mary Joy Lor (Grand Champion of International Migrants Song Festival who sang Bang Bang).

To continue enjoying homegrown programs and the company of Kapamilya stars, Filipinos in Korea can subscribe to TFC.tv via these agents: Oscar Amboy of Pinoy Shop and Trading with nos. 010-5681-0581 or 070-4100-0581; Dinah Magat of Philtrust Corporation and Kusina restaurant with landline no. 02 790-1826 and mobile no. 010-9465-1826 or 070-7687-2296.

Visit facebook.com/TFCKorea for details.