In line with the 2 decades of ASAP being the number 1 Sunday afternoon variety show on Philippine TV that defeated several noontime shows from the rival networks including SOP, Party Pilipinas and P.O.5, the show became the home of the most talented showbiz superstars that aside from performing in the stage every Sunday they also made names in their respective careers such as singing, dancing, acting and even hosting.
As ASAP celebrates 20 years with the new title ASAP 20 for this year, let’s go back to the memory lane as we remember 20 superstars whose successful careers started in “ASAP.”
20. Dayanara Torres
Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres became an instant TV superstar in the Philippines when she was introduced as one of the main hosts of “ASAP” on February 5, 1995 along with Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, and Ariel Rivera. Dayanara’s weekly showcase of her dancing prowess through her segment, “SayawNara,” gained her the title “Dancing Queen.”
19. JCS Band
Launched in 2000, the JCS band was composed of the group’s drummer, John Prats, singer-guitarist Carlo Aquino and guitarist/bassist Stefano Mori. JCS was considered back then as the “Hanson of The Philippines” as they were likened to the ’90s hit American band, Hanson.
18. Pare Konnection
Being the home of the country’s brightest teen sensations, “ASAP” introduced the group Pare Konnection in 1995. It featured a mix of upcoming teenage stars from ABS-CBN’s Talent Center (now known as Star Magic) and the cast of the box-office hit movie “Pare Ko,” namely Claudine Barretto, Jao Mapa, Gio Alvarez, Roselle Nava, Victor Neri, Nikka Valencia, and Jolina Magdangal.
17. ASAP POPables
ABS-CBN’s teleserye princes, Gerald Anderson, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, and Rayver Cruz were introduced as the newest “kilig” boy group of “ASAP” in 2012.
16. Gimme 5
In 2013, the country found the answer to UK’s phenomenal pop boy band One Direction in the show’s fresh sing-and-dance boy group named Gimme 5. It consists of five talented and charming teen heartthrobs including Nash Aguas, Joaquin Reyes, John Bermundo, Grae Fernandez, and Brace Arquiza.
15. Kanto Boys Jr.
Kanto Boys Jr. was considered by many as the cutest “ASAP” boy group ever. The kiddie version of Kanto Boys was introduced in 2013 with Kapamilya child wonders Bugoy Cariño, Clarence Delgado, lzzy Canillo, and Zaijian Jaranilla composing the wacky yet charming group.
14. ASAP Supahdance
Week in, week out, “ASAP’s” center stage fires up as the show’s homegrown dance royalties rule the stage with their heart stopping, breathtaking dance performances. Among ASAP Supahdance’s pride are John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador, Shaina Magdayao, Iya Villania, and Bugoy Cariño.
13. UD4
In 2006, ASAP launched a brand new dance group called Ultimate Dance 4 or UD4 composed of John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Shaina Magdayao, and Maja Salvador.
12. MASH
Teleserye princesses Maja Salvador and Shaina Magdayao wowed the audience when they were revealed in 2013 as the newest dancing duo following the sensation made by the Clash Dance segment in the early 2000’s featuring sexy Regine Tolentino and Angela Velez.
11. YRS
In 2009, “ASAP” introduced its all-female singing trio called YRS composed of Yeng Constantino, Rachelle Ann Go, and Sarah Geronimo.
10. ASAP HD
The show’s “primera bireteras”–multiplatinum recording star Angeline Quinto and “The Voice of the Philippines” alumni Klarisse De Guzman and Morissette Amon—was launched as the ASAP Homegrown Divas.
9. ASAP Sessionistas
ASAP Sessionistas began melting the hearts of hopeless romantic Pinoys in 2009. It brought together some of the best names in live music entertainment like Aiza Seguerra, Nina, Richard Poon, Duncan Ramos, Sitti, and Chin.
8. Gigger Boys
Seven equally talented and good-looking Kapamilya young actors formed the dance crew Gigger Boys in 2008. The swoon-worthy group was composed of Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, Dino Imperial, Chris Gutierrez, and AJ Perez (†).
7. Coverboys
In 2006, the “ASAP” dancefloor was turned into a semi-catwalk as the show launched an all-hot men group composed of some of ABS-CBN’s hottest models and actors including Jake Cuenca, Rafael Rosell, Jon Avila, Victor Basa, Will Devaughn, and Zanjoe Marudo.
6. ASAP Boyfriendz
ASAP continued to melt the hearts of girls in 2012 as it formed a trio of cute, talented, and spellbinding young men–Enrique Gil, Khalil Ramos, and Daniel Padilla.
5. Koolits
Before John Lloyd Cruz was known for his critically-acclaimed drama movies and box-office romantic comedy hits, he was first followed by “ASAP” viewers with Baron Geisler and Marc Solis as the dance cuties of the teen trio, Koolits, which was launched in 1999.
4. IT Girls
In the tradition of grooming the next generation’s hottest stars and groups, “ASAP” paved the way for discovering the true talents of Anne Curtis, Bea Alonzo, Nikki Gil, Iya Vilania, Maja Salvador, Shaina Magadayao, and Toni Gonzaga, who formed the first batch of “It Girls” in 2008.
3. Kanto Boys
Kanto Boys was a breath of fresh air for “ASAP” in 2009. Every week, viewers looked forward to the wacky antics and new gimmicks on stage courtesy of John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano, Billy Crawford, and Vhong Navarro.
2. The Hunks
The Hunks is undoubtedly the most successful boy band that “ASAP” has ever produced over the years. It was launched in 2001 with Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi, and Bernard Palanca forming the singing and dancing quintet.
1. ASAP Champions
Known and awarded as the country’s best musical variety show, “ASAP” is dedicated to discover and take pride in showcasing pure Filipino talent just like how it put the spotlight in 2004 to its most remarkable singing group called “The Champions” composed of reality singing competition winners, namely, Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, Sheryn Regis, Frenchie Dy, Jerome Sala, Mark Bautista, and Christian Bautista.
It will be a grand celebration that will happen on February 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena with all the homegrown talents we loved to see in ASAP every Sunday.
