Thai Actor Gulf Kanawut left Filipino fans yet another night to remember last Saturday, October 2 for GULF: 1st Fan Meeting in Manila held at the New Frontier Theater. Here are some reasons why it will definitely leave a mark to all Filipino fans.
Charming Performances
Gulf opened his fan meeting with a performance of his 2021 single “Why You So Serious”, which left the fans screaming at the top of their lungs. The Thai actor also brought back a lot of memories from “TharnType: The Series”, when he performed “Hold Me Tight” and “Be Mine”. The series, where he played the lead role of Type, was Thailand’s best boys-love series of 2019. He also showed his rendition of Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’.
.@gulfkanawut sings ‘Love Yourself’. #GULFinManila #GULFinManila2022 #GulfKanawut pic.twitter.com/IraRmByoAP
— Manila Concert Junkies (@mnlcncertjunkie) October 2, 2022
Segments That Made Fans Know Gulf More
Filipino Phiballs got to know Gulf more when he answered social media questions from fans and played the ‘yes or no’ Q & A. Right after Gulf’s opening number, host Kring Kim kicked-off the sit-down Q & A segment. Gulf was asked about a Filipino artist he would like to work with someday to which he answered Sarah Geronimo, whom he was able to work with before but only for an endorsement project. The segment also revealed that Gulf would have wanted to become a sports reporter had he not become an actor. When Kring Kim told Gulf that if that dream comes true, the latter would be the most gorgeous sports reporter in the universe to which the Thai sensation responded with “salamat po”. making the Filipino viewers cheer with pure joy.
Spelled his name in English and Thai using his hips 😍 #GulfKanawut #GulfinManila2022 #GulfinManila pic.twitter.com/u6A81FMWpj
— Manila Concert Junkies (@mnlcncertjunkie) October 2, 2022
Following the Q&A, Gulf responded by raising either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ card to some ‘I believe’ statements. This segment revealed that the Thai star doesn’t believe in love at first sight and has experienced getting rejected by someone he once liked. He agreed to the statements that he is workaholic and is competitive especially when it comes to football but disagreed with being someone who gets jealous easily. The Thai actor also admitted in this segment that he once had an embarrassing moment in front of someone he likes after messing up in helping her out with opening a folder.
Fun Challenges and Show of Skills
Gulf’s first fan meeting will not be complete without him doing some exciting challenges. Just after the first Q & A segment, Gulf danced to ‘Tala’ by Sarah Geronimo as randomly challenged by the host and the fans. The “TharnType: The Series” lead actor also received a penalty of spelling his full name in english and Pasa Thai for not being able to answer a question right about one of his previous social media posts. The audience was also captivated by the Thai artist’s charm when he showed-off his TikTok dance moves, which he also showed to his fans when he was in Vietnam. He also proved that he can be another king of football when he continuously kicked a ball twelve times.
.@gulfkanawut shows off his TikTok moves! #GULFinManila #GULFinManila2022 #GulfKanawut pic.twitter.com/1rapUZew31
— Manila Concert Junkies (@mnlcncertjunkie) October 2, 2022
Surprisingly, Gulf was able to get a perfect score in translating Filipino words and phrases into English. He was able to guess the correct English translations of the words and phrases ‘mahal’ (love), ‘kailangan kita’ (I need you), ‘ikaw lang, sapat na’ (you are enough), and ‘sa’yo lang ako’ (I’m only yours). He also tried speaking the phrases to which fans responded lovingly with giggles.
The multi-warded star also demonstrated his superb acting skills when he re-enacted some of Philippines’ well-known movie scenes. In the first scene, Gulf acted out as Popoy with host Kring Kim acting as Basha to re-enact an iconic scene from the movie ‘One More Chance’ as originally portrayed by Filipino artists John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. The Thai actor also showed that he can be as charming as Filipino actor Piolo Pascual when he tried on the lines of the latter in a remarkable scene from the movie ‘Staring Over Again’. The New Frontier Theater crowd went wild when he delivered the line “I deserve an explanation. I deserve an acceptable reason!”
Fan Interactions
Everyone from the event for sure went home on cloud nine as they were able to interact with Gulf in so many ways. The fan interactions started even before the fan meeting proper with some fans availing of group photo-op with Gulf as included with their ticket purchase. Some lucky fans were also drawn and given the chance to have a solo photo-op with Gulf.
In the event proper, there was a modified raffle drawn personally by Gulf himself by selecting seat and row numbers. The winners were given a signed souvenir ball each from the artist. In the game ‘Last Fans Standing’, three winners received a signed selfie polaroid and a bouquet of flowers which were personally handed to them onstage by the Thai artist.
Just before the program ended, Gulf went down the stage closer to his fans to give and throw away more signed ball souvenirs to which the audience delightfully reacted.
Truly this Manila comeback of Gulf Kanawut is a night to remember with Gulf leaving his fans with many fan meeting souvenirs, interactions, solid performances, and of course, fun memories. In barong Tagalog, the national costume for Filipino males, Gulf wrapped up the fan meeting with unending thanks and a promise that he will be back again.