GMA Network to be sold at 500 Billion Pesos (Philippines)

 Manila Bulletin's News Report:

MANILA, Philippines —   Yes to 500 Billion Pesos: GMA top man Atty. Felipe Gozon shared he wouldn’t mind if someone woke him up even from deep sleep if he were to be told that, indeed, someone was willing to buy GMA Network for 500 billion pesos.

Gozon said if that were the scenario, it would have been a done deal by now. The GMA big boss was reacting to rumors that the network had been bought or is being bought by a well-known business magnate at such a sky-high price. 

Fortunately or unfortunately, no such offer was made by TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, cleared Atty. Gozon, belying claims that fly quick and fast in rumor-prone Manila, especially in the wake of highly visible social networking sites.

Gozon’s candid remarks added color to the drama division’s launch of its new line-up in the first quarter of 2012. The line-up consists of seven new drama shows, three for primetime and four on the afternoon block.

All-Original Programming: For a change, GMA is embarking on an all-original line-up of drama programs, deviating from its old formula of adaptations from either local or foreign sources. 

Image Credit: showbiznest.blogspot.com

Network production executive Wilma Galvante describes the 2012 line-up as strong, adding that the shows are generally more realistic. “We have done away with the fantaserye and adventure formats, although a few shows, such as ‘My Beloved’ and ‘Alice Bungisngis,’ are laced with a bit of fantasy,” she explained.

Galvante said fantasy is always an interesting element to a series while admitting that the fantaserye format itself may have shown signs of audience fatigue.

A visible, viable trend in teleserye programming, according to Galvante, is the more frequent use of child actors in many of the series. Child performers, she said, continue to drive drama shows to success. Most of the child characters written in today’s drama shows go beyond the so-called childhood phase of the characters. They usually play it throughout the series. 

Magic Seven: “My Beloved,” topbilled by Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, leads the drama division’s first quarter line-up of new shows unfolding in the next couple of months or weeks.

“My Beloved” is a unique love story involving an angel (played by Dingdong) who comes down to earth and falls in love with a human (Marian).

Two other primetime attractions set to premiere one after the other in January are “Legacy” and “Biritera.” 

“Legacy” is a high-society drama starring Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe, Alessandra de Rossi, together with Sid Lucero, Mike Tan and Geoff Eigenmann. The series also stars Solenn Heussaff, Sam Pinto, Mark Bautista, Cherie Gil and Jackie Lou Blanco.

On the other hand, “Biritera” is set in beautiful music, starring Glaiza de Castro, Angelika de la Cruz and Dennis Trillo. The show introduces a high-pitched child singer-actress discovered after a round of auditions. Thus, the title “Biritera.”

Afternoon Delights: GMA’s afternoon delights consist of the following new programs.

“Broken Vow” – A sexy teleserye about marital infidelity starring Bianca King, Luis Alandy, Gabby Eigenmann and Rochelle Pangilinan.

“The Good Daughter” – A young woman’s journey to self-discovery and search for belonging topbilled by the fresh loveteam of Kylie Padilla and Rocco Nacino. Newcomer Max Collins completes the love triangle.

“Hiram na Puso” – Family drama stars Kris Bernal, Polo Ravales, Bela Padilla, Mark Herras.

“Alice Bungisngis” – Romantic comedy series gathers Tween stars Bea Binene (title role), Jake Vargas, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez together with Janno Gibbs and Jean Garcia. 

 source: Manila Bulletin