Known as the biggest gathering of Filipinos in United Kingdom, the “London Barrio Fiesta” continues to draw the crowds as organizers The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Philippine Centre add more depth to the annual fiesta which was recently held in Apps Court Farm in mid-July.

The “London Barrio Fiesta,” a staging of the traditional Filipino fiesta in United Kingdom, which has one of the highest concentration of Filipinos in Europe, took the celebration to a higher plane as it combined entertainment and service at the annual festivities.

The 32^nd “London Barrio Fiesta” brought together the stars no less of some of the cast of the biggest teleseryes of ABS-CBN plus world-class Kapamilya talents.  Beyond the fiesta’s entertainment value, the 32nd “London Barrio Fiesta” was made more meaningful by the launch of ABS-CBN Foundation in Europe.

According to ABS-CBN Global Chief Operating Officer Rafael “Raffy” Lopez, “The creation of the Foundation is aligned with ABS-CBN’s commitment to be in the service of the Filipino.”  He shared that while the core of its service in its early days was for less fortunate kababayans in need of immediate care, the Foundation has since then evolved.

Lopez said: “Today, I share the same core message of promoting “The Power of Good”.  ABS-CBN Foundation Europe has five power of good community-building programs: Sagip Kapamilya; Programa Genio; Bantay Bata;Bayan ni Juan; and last but not least, Bantay Kalikasan.”
Joining the launch was Bayan Ni Juan Ambassador Jodi Sta. Maria, who proved that ABS-CBN and TFC truly go beyond entertainment in the service of the Filipino.

Meantime, opening the entertainment fare of the 32^nd London Barrio Fiesta were the stars of “Born For You” Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador who play Kevin Sebastian & Sam Kazuko in the series.

The new love team brought the new thrill they share the audience of their music serye, to the Filipinos on ground at the Apps Court Farm at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey near Hampton Court Palace.

Magalona who sang one of the more popular tracks on the teleserye, “You’ll Be Safe Here,” and “Stay,” introduced his leading lady, Salvador, as her princess, much to the series’ fans thrill.  Meantime, Salvador, indeed a music royalty herself (mother is theater actress Jenine Desiderio and father is 90’s icon Juan Miguel Salvador), amazed the audience with her soothing voice as she sang Yeng Constantino’s “Sasakay Ako Sa Aking Pangarap” and “Same Ground” originally done by Kitchie Nadal.

Together, Magalona and Salvador proved to be a love team to reckon with as they sang the theme “Born For You” and another Yeng Constantino hit “Ikaw.”

On the same day, Dynamic Diva Vina Morales and actor-singer Robin Padilla who were former on and off-screen partners themselves, also held their own.

Morales impressed as she sang a medley of Jennifer Lopez and Adele hits. Padilla, a singer himself, reminded the Filipino crowd of the kababayan spirit as he sang “Pinoy Ako” with the audience.  The nationalistic pride continued to soar as Morales led the singing of OPM hits at encore.

Sta. Maria, also part of the entertainment offering of the two-day fiesta, surprised fans as she sang “Flashlight” by Jessie J and “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding.

Day two continued the excitement as iconic love team Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, more popularly known as KimXi, did a reprise in their second “London Barrio Fiesta.”

Due to popular request, Chiu sang her own hit “Mr. Right” and including her new hit “Darating Din” plus covers ofBillboard hit “Salute” by Beyonce.

Her would-be “Mr. Right” Xian Lim finally joined her on stage for a duet of “When You Say Nothing At All” by Allison Krauss and Ed Sheeran’s widely popular “Thinking Out Loud.”
The two relived their “The Story Of Us” series and performed the theme “Kailangan Kita.”
Lim, also a singer himself performed “Jirah’s viral hit “Buco” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Joining the popular love team are world-class Kapamilya talents led by Concert King Martin Nievera who sang his most popular hits, much to the delight of homesick Pinoys wanting of a ‘piece’ of home.

In what could be a passing of the torch, Darren Espanto performed his own hit “Slave to the Rhythm” and “Alam” in his powerful tenor.  Espanto treated audiences to an extra as he sang “Chandelier,” a cover he did which originator Sia herself shared on her social media page.

The event was hosted by Gandang Gabi Vice resident jester Negi.

The cast of “London Barrio Fiesta,” together with host Gandang Gabi Vice resident jester Negi, ended day two on a high note with a chorus of “Shut Up and dance with Me” by Walk the Moon. Another highlight of the two-day fiesta was the launch of myREMIT’s online service where Filipinos cans send their love (via remittance) across, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via www.tfcmyremit.com

Meantime, Filipinos in the United Kingdom can also enjoy more of TFC with the launch of LycaTV where Filipinos can enjoy TFC and five more channels: ANC, Cinema One Global, ABS-CBN Sports + Action and DZMM Teleradyo.  For more information, visit lycatv.tv

For more updates, visit emea.kapamilya.com and facebook.com/TFCEurope