Charles Teves
Kapuso artists are excited in welcoming former Kapamilya stars who recently signed with the GMA Network.
ABS-CBN‘s downfall started almost a year ago when a congressional panel decided to reject its bid for franchise renewal. The move prompted the network to retrench employees and focus more on digital production. But despite fighting back to reduce losses, ABS-CBN continues to struggle.
As opportunities with the network became more limited, artists saw it fit to transfer to GMA, ABS-CBN‘s biggest rival.
Instead of seeing the former ABS-CBN talents as competition, Kapuso artists are looking forward to working with them in future projects.
LJ Reyes, who just renewed her contract with GMA Network, is curious to see what the transferees can “bring to the table.”
“Somehow na excite rin ako na parang ‘What are they gonna bring into the table?” Reyes said in an interview with RAWR Nation when asked if she was excited for the newly signed artists.
“Maganda rin na paminsanminsan meron kayong makilalang bago, merong bago sa trabaho,” she added.
‘Rita Daniela and Ken Chan meanwhile never thought of the new artists as a “threat” but as new members of the Kapuso family.
“Wala namang naka forsee na mangyayari ito dahil sa pandemic,” Daniela said.
She can’t believe that she now has the opportunity to work with her idols.
“Lahat sila pinapanood ko lang noon sa TV.
“I am excited to work isa sa kanila,” she added.
Ken Chan feels the same way and expects to work with his TV idols. However, he has no idea who the new artists are.
“Winewelcome namin silang lahat as an inspiration because karamihan sakanila nanggaling sa GMA bago sila napunta sa kabilang istasyon.
“Nakakatuwa na yung mga iniidolo mo makakasama mo dito sa GMA.”
The addition to the roster is really something special, Chan said
“Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na parami kami ng parami. Hindi siya threat, never namin naramdaman yung threat.”
“Nagusap kami ni Rita, nakakakilig na makakasama natin sila.”
Richard Yap understands why the former Kapamilyas transferred and is just happy that they will be given the chance to showcase their skills.
“Because of the situation na nangyari, hindi maiwasan na maraming lilipat dito sa Kapuso network.”
“I’m happy that they are finding work here and that they’re being given the chance to work with us here,” he said, mentioning he’d like to work with John Lloyd Cruz and Maja Salvador.
Dingdong Dantes wants the new artists featured on his Amazing Earth program to see their “greenside.”
“It would be an honor to have them in Amazing Earth para malaman yung kanilang greenside at sana mapaunlakan nila yung imbitasyon kapag nandito na sila.”
Bea Alonzo is the latest huge name to sign with GMA Network. She paid her respects to ABS-CBN but wasn’t given any projects.
“Malaking-malaki ang respeto ko sa ABS-CBN lalong-lalo na sa production team nila. And of course nirespeto natin ang mutual decision namin na ‘yun. And if I’m not mistaken, parang one year na rin akong walang ginagawang soap at walang contract,” she said shortly after becoming an official Kapuso.
Signing with GMA Network wasn’t easy as she had to contemplate what she wants to do in life but eventually saw that the move was best for her career.
“But it took me many months na pag-iisip, pagre-reflect. Kung ano yung gusto kong gawin sa buhay ko, how do I want to move forward. Siguro lahat tayo merong silent moments na ‘Lord guide me, kung anong next step ko sa buhay ko.
“At tamang-tamang dumating yung offer ng GMA. And at that point, para bang ano—it just felt right. S’yempre months of negotiations with SK (Shirley Kuan). And when I finally met them, to be honest, sa Zoom natin, it just felt na I was at peace. Na parang ito yung final. I trust my intuition. I always follow my heart. And now I follow my heart.” she added.
Comedian Pokwang also recently became a Kapuso, assuring GMA that she’ll remain loyal to the network.
