Stars welcome GMA 7-ABS-CBN ‘historic’ partnership deal

Top row, from left: Gilberto Duavit Jr., Felipe Yalong, Annette Gozon-Valdes, Jose Mari Abacan.
Bottom row, from left: ABS-CBN’s Mark Lopez, Carlo Katigbak, Cory Vidanes, Ricardo Tan Jr. and Olivia Lamasan

In what was described as a “historic” moment in local show biz, erstwhile rival networks GMA 7 and ABS-CBN closed a licensing deal that will allow viewers to watch Star Cinema movies on the Kapuso network.

The news was warmly received by Kapamilya and Kapuso celebrities like Kuya Kim Atienza of “24 Oras,” who couldn’t help but exclaim on Twitter: “The force field is broken!”

“The beginning of more beautiful things to come. The Lord works in mysterious ways. All in God’s perfect time! GMA x ABS-CBN,” wrote the former ABS-CBN weather anchor, who transferred to GMA 7 last year.

Friends for the better

Social media posts about the partnership received “likes” and “hearts” from Bianca Umali, Ruru Madrid, Jessa Zaragoza, Jeric Gonzales, Sofia Pablo. ABS-CBN director Mae Cruz-Alviar and actors JC Alcantara and Jeremiah Libo shared the news on their Instagram accounts. Eugene Domingo also reposted the story and wrote, “Nice work!”

“Wow, talaga namang it’s a new era, ‘di ba? Congratulations sa ating dalawa,” news anchor Karen Davila said on “TV Patrol.”

Internationally acclaimed actor and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” star John Arcilla, who jokingly called the partnership “GAMBAS,” hoped that the partnership finally ends the network wars among fans.

“Everyone can be friends for the better, for everyone’s advantage. That there’s no point hating each other,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s more enriching to love and support show biz in general … people we love and support. Looking at the good sides of each celebrity is more exciting than picking each other’s imperfections.”

For GMA president and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit Jr., this new partnership will be beneficial for both parties, and could very well lead to further collaborations in the future.

“We’re very pleased because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, and potential partnerships that will benefit not only GMA and ABS-CBN, but also as importantly—if not more importantly—the public we both serve—the Filipino viewers,” he said in a statement.

“Since we have, as they say, broken the ice, there’s great optimism that these conversations will start and continue,” he added. “We look forward to the possibility of this type of opportunity again moving forward.”

The virtual contract signing, hosted by GMA 7 last April 5, was attended by high ranking executives from both sides, including executive vice president and chief financial officer Felipe Yalong, GMA Films president lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes and first vice president for program management department Jose Mari Abacan.

The Kapamilya network, meanwhile, were represented by chair Mark Lopez, president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak, chief operating officer for broadcast Cory Vidanes and ABS-CBN Films Productions managing director Olivia Lamasan.

Bring to a new audience

GMA’s corporate communications disclosed to the Inquirer that some of the Star Cinema movies airing on GMA 7 this April are “John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo’s “It Takes a Man and a Woman” (April 10); Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s, “Alone/Together” (April 16), Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes’s “No Other Woman” (April 17); and Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia’s“I Love You, Hater” (April 23).Katigbak called the partnership “a new era of friendship.”

“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,” Katigbak said. “We hope that 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.”

Star Cinema holds one of the most comprehensive catalog of films in Philippine entertainment. And for this, Gozon-Valdes have nothing but respect for ABS-CBN’s movie production arm.

“ABS-CBN has our respect as a network and content producer. We know that the Philippine audience deserves the best Filipino producers have to offer. The entertainment industry is already thrust in the global sphere and we should shine as one,” said Gozon-Valdes. “Many things that seem impossible before can be realities tomorrow.”

“Impossible things do happen through prayers,” Abacan said. INQ