ASAP Natin ‘To, ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, is up against new competition with the launch of TV5’s Sunday Noontime Live (SNL) today, October 18.
The online world has been abuzz with the entry of the new musical-variety show not only for going head-to-head with ASAP on the noontime slot, but also because it’s hosted by former ASAP hosts and artists such as Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Catriona Gray, among others. (READ: Piolo, Maja, Catriona lead Sunday Noontime Live’s premiere on TV5.)
Sunday Noontime Live is produced by blocktimer Brightlight Productions and directed by former ABS-CBN Star Magic head Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan.
A video shared on ASAP’s Instagram page on Sunday offered a glimpse into how some of the ASAP hosts are taking the transfer of their colleagues.
Seen in a huddle for a group prayer before the opening were Kapamilya bosses and ASAP mainstays Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alcasid, among others.
Leading the prayer was Gary V who said: “We don’t need to enumerate what we’ve all done as part of this Kapamilya network. You know what everyone has gone through on a very personal level and yet even if some of us, or all of us, are not worthy of this, yet you found us worthy enough to start all over again, to come out as a family, understanding now more than ever what that word — family — means.”
Gary V continued, “As we step out on this stage, we are not stepping out here to show who is the best. You’re in us so we already have the best.”
The former ASAP hosts and artists were then included in the prayer, as Gary V said: “We even pray Lord for our family members who are not with us anymore, who are having their own show. “
They also thanked the A2Z channel deal that enabled ASAP and other Kapamilya shows to return to free TV this week following the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s bid for a fresh legislative franchise.
“This is just the beginning. So, we are moving forward Lord, not only with the victories but even through the challenges because the challenges make us who we are. We thank you Father that you’ve groomed us, broken us and proven your faithfulness and goodness through all we’ve gone through,” Gary said in his prayer.
Meanwhile, amid the arrival of the new program, the network’s top executives such as Karlo Katigbak, Cory Vidanes, Laurenti Dyogi and Charo Santos-Concio showed their full support by gracing today’s live ASAP episode.
Other Kapamilya entertainment and teleserye programs also lent their support to ASAP’s return to free TV.
Episode highlights included the appearance of newly-married singers KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde, as well as the announcement of the return of the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother.
