FILIPINO audiences have reason to celebrate as ABS-CBN and GMA-7 made a breakthrough deal on Tuesday, April 5 to license the airing of Star Cinema films at the Kapuso network.
The historic move is being hailed by many in showbiz as a dawn of a new age in Philippine television as the two networks have been bitter rivals over many decades, competing for the attention of viewers in the Philippines and abroad.
In an article in PEP.ph, GMA Network president and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr. was quoted as saying, “To us, we are very pleased because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, potential partnerships, and cooperation that will have the benefit not only mutually to GMA and ABS-CBN, but as importantly, if not perhaps more importantly, to the benefit of the public we both serve—the Filipino viewer.
“Looking forward, since we have, as they say, broken the ice, there is great optimism that these conversations will start and continue, and we look forward to the possibility of this type of an opportunity again moving forward,” he added.
For his part, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said, “Every storyteller’s dream is to have as many people as possible experience their creations. Now, because of the kindness of our friends at GMA, we have the special opportunity to bring our Kapamilya stories to a new audience.”
“We hope the Kapusos find joy and inspiration in viewing our Star Cinema movies, and we also look forward to a new era of friendship and cooperation within our small industry. Maraming salamat, Chairman Gozon, Jimmy, Annette, Philip, Joey, Joel, and all our other friends at GMA who have made this partnership happen. Maraming maraming salamat po,” Katigbak added in the same PEP.ph article.
Star Cinema hits like “The Hows of Us” starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” starring Bernardo and GMA-7’s Alden Richards and “My Ex and Whys” starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil are among the top-rated films that will be shown on the Kapuso network.
Other films expected to air include “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” “It takes a Man and a Woman,” “No Other Woman,” “The Panti Sisters,” “Isa Pa With Feelings,” “Feng Shui,” “Suddenly It’s Magic,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Fantastica” and “Finally Found Someone.”
Many viewers were excited when the Kapuso network started airing teasers about the start of a new age in Philippine television. The word “start” had the letters S-T-A-R highlighted, hinting at the possibility of a tie-up between what have been the two biggest networks competing for bragging rights over Filipino viewership through the years.
The teaser ad also claimed that what was impossible before will happen when it comes to its library of movies being aired over the network.
This, indeed, is an historic event that must be celebrated – two networks joining forces for the benefit of Filipino viewers both in the Philippines and abroad. Star Cinema movies will be the start; many industry watchers are salivating at the prospect of the two rival networks widening their partnership to include other segments/genres in the entertainment industry.
Congratulations to both ABS-CBN and GMA networks!
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ABS-CBN file photo
The slap that was heard around the world at the recent Oscar Awards has generated news stories after news stories. And most of these include the reason why actor Will Smith attacked comedian Chris Rock, stressing that the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” star was displeased about the comedian seemingly making fun of his wife’s condition, alopecia. (Chris Rock has denied that his G.I. Jane joke poked fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s autoimmune disease, saying that he had no idea about the actress’ battle with alopecia.)
In a recent episode on Eat Bulaga!, co-host Ryan Agoncillo revealed that he has struggled with the autoimmune disease since he was 17 years old after a contestant on the show talked about her daughter’s experience with alopecia, which worsened after she tried a medication and later led to a bout with acute cancer in the blood.
He was taken surprise with the news, according to an article in PEP.ph, remaking, “I got surprised by what Ma’am Jenette said because I have been diagnosed with alopecia.”
“I was about 17 when I got diagnosed. It’s news to me that hair loss is not the only effect of alopecia,” he added.
Agoncillo then related to his co-hosts that he had to take weekly steroidal injections to help manage his condition.
He also revealed that even as was working on projects before, he had to hide a bald spot at the back of his head.
“I got diagnosed with it, but my condition, it’s recurring. Every few years. I did not reach the point of total baldness,” he said.
“It did reach a point where it was not just a patch…it was as big as my hand, I did not have hair at the back of my head. In fact, there were some TV series before and some movies that I appeared in where the reason for my long hair was that we were trying to cover my bald spot,” he continued.
The segment in the popular variety show included Agoncillo asking the contestant Jenette Pitallar what she wanted to share by way of advice to parents whose kids have the same condition.
“For mothers who are in the same situation as myself, I hope we do not judge them… Let’s take care of them, look after them. Let’s give them our time while they’re here because we don’t know what fate will bring us,” she said.
“Katulad ko po, hindi ko naibigay lahat. Hindi ko naibigay yung one hundred percent sa kanya. Hindi ako perfect na mother, pero alam ko ibinigay ko yung kaya ko. Kaya kayo po, sana mahalin niyo po yung mga anak niyo, lalo na yung mga may sakit,” she added.
