‘ASAP in NY’ stars enjoying a bite of the Big Apple

“ASAP in NY” stars, from left to right: Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Erik Santos , Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kim Chiu, Luis Manzano, Jolina Magdangal. BOYET LOVERITA

NEW YORK CITY – Stars of “TFC Presents ASAP Live in New York” shared their impressions of this city at a press conference Thursday, Sept. 1, saying they were still mesmerized by the Big Apple.

Appearing at a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 1 at the New York Marriott Hotel near the Brooklyn Bridge were The Filipino Channel (ABS-CBN) stars Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Luis Manzano, Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Jolina Magdangal and Erik Santos.

Jolina Magdangal said she enjoyed New York because visiting places like Central Park reminded her of American movies she had seen. Luis Manzano joked that the only borough he saw that day was Shake Shack (the famous burger joint); but he had been here before, when he shot the film “In My Life” with his mom, Vilma Santos, and John Lloyd Cruz. Luis said he loves the energy of NYC.

“ASAP” is the longest running, top-rated weekly Filipino musical variety show. With “ASAP Live in New York,” ABS-CBN takes the production to a whole new level, with a star-studded line up of the best and hottest Filipino live entertainers and key members of the acclaimed ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra making their debut performance in the US.

“ASAP,” a showcase of world-class Filipino musical talents, will be held at Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, on September 3, starting at 5:00 p.m.; pre-show starts at 4:00 p.m. It will be the first Filipino event to ever to take place at the Barclays Center.

Kim Chiu and Zsa Zsa Padilla were on their third trip to the city this year, shooting the popular telenovela “The Story of Us.“ Kim found it exciting to see Filipinos everywhere she went. Zsa Zsa chimed in that she considered herself a local now and that she could give directions around town to her “ASAP” cast mates.

Gary V had been in NY often, but felt it special to be here this year because he was with his “ASAP” family. He revealed that planning for “ASAP in NY” had six months but ABS-CBN boss Gabby Lopez had spoken about bringing the show here since “ASAP in London” in 2015.

Martin Nievera added that Lopez said that the New York production must have the full ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany the show’s powerful singers.

A from the audience asked for advice for her daughter who will be going home to study in the Philippines. Gary’s advice: “Look at Kim Chiu, even if her surroundings have changed as she became successful, it did not change Kim Chiu as a person. She has remained humble.” He added that the daughter should practice her Tagalog, saying he learned to speak better Tagalog by listening to ABS CBN news.

(See the recorded livestream of this press conference.)

The powerhouse superstar cast of ASAP in New York are Angeline Quinto, Billy Crawford, Daniel Padilla, Daryl Ong, Elmo Magalona, Enrique Gil, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Gerald Anderson, Janella Salvador, Jason Dy, Jay-R, Jolina Magdangal, Jona, Kathryn Bernardo, Kim Chiu, Klariss E. De Guzman, Kyla, KZ Tandingan, Liza Soberano, Luis Manzano, Maja Salvador, Martin Nievera, Morisette, Piolo Pascual, Yeng Constantino, ZsaZsa Padilla.

Special guests are Coco Martin, Onyok, Vice Ganda, Charo Santos and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Gerard Salonga, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonso Wurtzbach

This show is co-presented by Law Offices of Atty Michael Gurfinkel, Philippine Airlines, Cream Silk, Rexona, Energen, Pond’s, Money Gram, Nescafe, Remitly.com, Pic Poc, Financial Rescue Inc., XOOM, Philippine Airlines, Western Union; Brought to you by: sponsors: Champion, Jollibbee, TANG, John C. Ye, Ramar Foods, LBC, Seafood City, With Special participation of sponsors: World Remit, Direct TV, SMDC, Ayala Land, Globe, Avida, AARP, Asian Journal and Inquirer.net

Tickets can still be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000, or by visiting the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. For information on individual suites, please click here or call 718-BK-SUITE. This is a Must See event! Tickets are still available: bitly.com/ASAPNY.

For hotel information, visit New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. For special rates, check “corporate/promotional code” and then enter W85.