Charles Teves
Artists in the show business rarely make it without getting signed by a big media network. One of the most successful is the GMA Network which manages the biggest stars in the industry. This fact alone makes it hard for celebrities to leave the said company. Many have left though, however many also came back.
Below are the most prominent celebrities who once left the network but eventually decided to become a Kapuso again.
Paul Salas
Actor and model Paul Salas started his career in StarStruck Kids, GMA Network’s talent search, along with Miguel Tanfelix, Sandy Talag, and Bea Binene. He played a role in Mulawin before transferring to ABS-CBN in 2008. After being a Kapamilya for almost a decade, he went and signed with GMA Artist Center on May 17, 2018.
Edgar Allan Guzman
Nicknamed E.A., his life progressed after joining Mr. Pogi in 2006, a show hosted by Eat Bulaga!, and signing with the network. He then signed with ABS-CBN following several projects with TV5. In 2017, GMA welcomed him back and gave him a role in ‘My Korean Jagiya.’
Iya Villania
The mom of three gained popularity during her time on the IBC interactive program ‘Game Channel.’ Her name got so big that GMA couldn’t resist offering her a contract. She played the character of Rachelle in the drama ‘Walang Hanggan’ and had a role in the later seasons of the teen series ‘Click.’ After being a VJ on ABS-CBN’s music channel ‘Myx’ for ten years, she took a one year break and announced in 2014 that she will be signing with GMA. Since 2015. Iya has been the host ‘of Chika Minute,’ a segment of ’24 Oras.’
Carmina Villarroel
The multi-award-winning actress caught the public’s eye when she appeared in a Jollibee commercial. Due to the exposure, GMA placed her on the variety show ‘That’s Entertainment’ where she was a co-host and performer. Her last projects with ABS-CBN were Till I Met You (2016) and Doble Kara (2015-2017) before returning to being a Kapuso.
Rodjun Cruz
Rodjun came up alongside his younger brother Rayver. Both started with hosting and were members of Anime-E, a dead dancing group. He played the character of Jigo in the ABS-CBN series Calla Lily. Rodjun thanked GMA for welcoming him back when he was offered a contract in October 2018.
“I’m thankful to GMA for their trust. I was able to explore my abilities as an actor and performer with their guidance. I feel more inspired to work because it allows me to make more people happy through my projects.” he said, expressing the desire to work with his brother on a television series.
Rayver Cruz
Rayver moved back to GMA just a month before Rodjun did after spending 18 years with ABS-CBN. His last project as a Kapamilya was the fantasy series ‘Bagani.’ His reason for leaving Star Magic was that he needed to earn more since he is the breadwinner in his family.
“As an actor kasi, sa tinagal ko na sa industriya, siyempre, at this point of my career, gusto ko rin isipin yung future ng career.” he said.
“And I think ang daming opportunities ang maibibigay sa akin ang GMA Network regarding sa mga projects and kung anuman ang challenging roles na pwede nilang maibigay,” he added.
Atom Araullo
Araullo, who really looks more like an actor than a journalist, first introduced himself as the host of “ATOMic Sports”, a 24 Oras segment. He was doing great but decided to go with ABS-CBN in 2004. However, he wanted to try documentary production and felt like GMA could give him that opportunity so he became a Kapuso in 2017.
“I’m very excited. Ang dami kong gustong gawin, particularly in the realm of documentary production. I think this is a great place to do all of that,” Araullo said.
Aiai Delas Alas
Aiai initially started as a host for GMA”s musical variety show RSVP and shared the stage with Dawn Zulueta and Ariel Urieta. She worked under ABS-CBN for almost two decades but returned to GMA when the Kapamilya network wasn’t giving her enough projects to work on. Aiai currently hosts the comedy variety show ‘Sunday PinaSaya.’
Megan Young
Young returned to GMA in 2015 after her four-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN expired. She currently hosts the sixth edition of the reality talent search ‘Starstruck,’ the same show that helped kickstart her career.
“Masaya kasi siyempre dito ako nagsimula. Masaya akong babalik kasi I’ve grown so much as a perso,” she said.
Beauty Gonzales
Gonzales is the latest addition to the GMA artist roster as she recently signed a contract with the network on June 11.
“I’m so happy to be here. If people will ask me I just wanna say, because I want change,” she said.
She has all the confidence in management when it comes to her career.
“I’m so happy to dive into new seas, new adventures, because I know and I heard a lot of good stories [at] GMA that they are very good to their people and they have really good shows. I know they will take good care of me,” she added.
Gonzales is expected to star in a series. Her first run with the network wasn’t anything of significance but her fans are excited to see her back.
