I have the greatest respect for GMA 7. During my law studies, I've taken mental note of the fact that they must really treat their employees well because they have the least number of labor cases filed against them compared to the other TV networks. There is also the absence of "horror stories" from my colleagues in the media who became "slaves" during their brief stint in the other network because they either had to put up with impossibly rude and unreasonable bosses and/or never received their salary.
When GMA 7 finally overcame ABS CBN after so many years being the first runner up, I was quite happy. They deserved it. The teleseryes-- although the actors may not always be as excellent as those in the other channel--were so creative, they managed to get a hold on you. The plots were eventful and unpredictable, the costumes and set designs were amazing, the dialogues simple yet moving. Then Bakekang came and was I blown away by this superb actress named Sunshine Dizon. Personally, I think she is peerless, unparalleled! Her range, thespic abilities have no limits. Her honest-to-goodness portrayal of a homely-looking but ambitious woman from the slums who dared to dream and followed it through by her guts, grace and grit--was just so perfect. I had no words for it. And then of course, there's also Iza Calzado who I hope will really succeed in Hollywood soon not merely because she's Filipina, but simply because I know SHE CAN. And the quite underrated Dingdong Dantes who's excellent in every part he plays and any kind of character he portrays, may it be a half-man-half-fish warrior or a dashing heredero of-sorts.
Anyway, I'm just so disappointed at how GMA 7 has handled the sudden- transfer-of-Angel-Locsin-fiasco. How they managed to inform the whole world how bitter they've become when they had their war chest full of so many other promising actresses--is beyond me. Much to my consternation, instead of dying out after a week or a month, the issue ballooned further and eventually involved two otherwise innocent actresses who had the simple misfortune of sharing the same manager with the infamous actress. It may or may not be true that Jennylyn Mercado and Eunice Lagunsad were deprived of projects because of this issue--but the impression that they were victims will stay in the public's mind for quite sometime. And the public too has realized how GMA 7 can turn on their own stars anytime without any discretion or remorse.
The situation showed the network's lack of class (mawalang-galang na po GMA). Which I think, has been the edge of the other channel ever since it was first re-organized way back in 1986. The same way that this other network has refrained from making any side comments or glib references to the flaws of their number one competitor--the Kapuso network on the other hand, seems to have made it some kind of a sport. Not a day passes by without a host or a comedian in the Kapuso network making some smart comment on the "kapalpakans" of dos in their shows. It may be amusing to listen to for a while but when it becomes an almost daily habit--it is so annoying and definitely no longer funny. Actually, it only serves to betray GMA 7's seemingly-perpetual "Kapamilya insecurity." Ultimately, when your viewers see you as insecure, they also become insecure about you.
I'm not really keen on the entertainment business but this particular issue interested me because if I remember right, the downfall of ABS CBN in the ratings began with the Hero Angeles issue. I liked Hero from the very beginning when I saw his very first audition videos in Star Circle quest. I was one of the thousands who reveled in his victory. The story of his family and how his talent has saved them, embodied the dreams of so many Filipino youth. His short-lived career of course, was also mourned by his admirers, not to mention loyal fans. The typical observer does not have the complete details of his fall from grace but there is one thing he will always remember--the very network that built up (and discovered) Hero was also responsible for tearing him to shreds. How then can one patronize a media institution like that?
Let's just hope that GMA 7 will not go down the same path.
When GMA 7 finally overcame ABS CBN after so many years being the first runner up, I was quite happy. They deserved it. The teleseryes-- although the actors may not always be as excellent as those in the other channel--were so creative, they managed to get a hold on you. The plots were eventful and unpredictable, the costumes and set designs were amazing, the dialogues simple yet moving. Then Bakekang came and was I blown away by this superb actress named Sunshine Dizon. Personally, I think she is peerless, unparalleled! Her range, thespic abilities have no limits. Her honest-to-goodness portrayal of a homely-looking but ambitious woman from the slums who dared to dream and followed it through by her guts, grace and grit--was just so perfect. I had no words for it. And then of course, there's also Iza Calzado who I hope will really succeed in Hollywood soon not merely because she's Filipina, but simply because I know SHE CAN. And the quite underrated Dingdong Dantes who's excellent in every part he plays and any kind of character he portrays, may it be a half-man-half-fish warrior or a dashing heredero of-sorts.
Anyway, I'm just so disappointed at how GMA 7 has handled the sudden- transfer-of-Angel-Locsin-fiasco. How they managed to inform the whole world how bitter they've become when they had their war chest full of so many other promising actresses--is beyond me. Much to my consternation, instead of dying out after a week or a month, the issue ballooned further and eventually involved two otherwise innocent actresses who had the simple misfortune of sharing the same manager with the infamous actress. It may or may not be true that Jennylyn Mercado and Eunice Lagunsad were deprived of projects because of this issue--but the impression that they were victims will stay in the public's mind for quite sometime. And the public too has realized how GMA 7 can turn on their own stars anytime without any discretion or remorse.
The situation showed the network's lack of class (mawalang-galang na po GMA). Which I think, has been the edge of the other channel ever since it was first re-organized way back in 1986. The same way that this other network has refrained from making any side comments or glib references to the flaws of their number one competitor--the Kapuso network on the other hand, seems to have made it some kind of a sport. Not a day passes by without a host or a comedian in the Kapuso network making some smart comment on the "kapalpakans" of dos in their shows. It may be amusing to listen to for a while but when it becomes an almost daily habit--it is so annoying and definitely no longer funny. Actually, it only serves to betray GMA 7's seemingly-perpetual "Kapamilya insecurity." Ultimately, when your viewers see you as insecure, they also become insecure about you.
I'm not really keen on the entertainment business but this particular issue interested me because if I remember right, the downfall of ABS CBN in the ratings began with the Hero Angeles issue. I liked Hero from the very beginning when I saw his very first audition videos in Star Circle quest. I was one of the thousands who reveled in his victory. The story of his family and how his talent has saved them, embodied the dreams of so many Filipino youth. His short-lived career of course, was also mourned by his admirers, not to mention loyal fans. The typical observer does not have the complete details of his fall from grace but there is one thing he will always remember--the very network that built up (and discovered) Hero was also responsible for tearing him to shreds. How then can one patronize a media institution like that?
Let's just hope that GMA 7 will not go down the same path.
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Nice Idea...hehehe. Sa Abs cbn naman. what can you say about them?
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