Over 3,000 Kapamilyas from down under made their way to the biggest Filipino festivity…

More than 3,000 Filipinos from as far as Queensland made their way to attend the Kapamilya World Fiesta held recently at the Randwick Pavillion in Sydney, Australia, featuring most-talked-about Kapamilya Stars Gabby Concepcion, Derek Ramsey, Angelica Panganiban and Diether Ocampo.

For Dennis Padilla, host of the grandest Filipino festivity in Australia, the Kapamilya World Fiesta in Sydney is another overwhelming success for the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group (RNG). Padilla has always been the host of the well-attended Kapamilya Karavans held in some major fiestas in the Philippines.

“Saan mang sulok ng mundo, kitang-kita na tayong mga Pilipino ay talaga namang masiyahin at mahilig sa mga selebrasyon tulad ng fiesta. Kaya’t nakakatuwang isipin na kahit na nasa Australia na naninirahan ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan, nananaig pa rin ang Filipino spirit sa kanila. Sa sobrang daming dumalo, pakiramdam ko parang nasa Pilipinas lang ako,” Padilla said.

Angelica, one of the event’s performers, can’t describe the joy she felt because of the warm welcome she received from her “kababayans.” Angelica’s tandem with real-life sweetheart Derek Ramsay received loud screams and applauses from their Australia-based fans.

“Parang kailan lang nung nasa Kadayawan festival kami ni Derek. Ngayon nasa Australia na kami. Bongga! Siyempre, sobrang flattering talaga na marami palang tagarito ang sumusuporta sa amin. Kung gaano sila kinikilig sa love team namin, ganu’n din ako kinikilig na maka-bonding si Derek. Ha! Ha! Ha!,” Angelica said.

Diether, on the other hand, looks forward to perform again in Australia. The acclaimed actor admired the hospitality of the Filipinos there. “They are very accommodating of us, just as hospitable as we are in the Philippines. Ito’y isang lugar na masarap mag-perform.”