GMA Network Signs Contract with ABS-CBN

GMA Network hosted a virtual contract signing event during which ABS-CBN licensed some of Star Cinema’s most popular movies to the free-to-air television network.

The deal will see Star Cinema films such as Alone/Together; How to Be Yours; Till My Heartaches End; Ang Babae sa Septic Tank; Ang Cute ng Ina Mo!; It Takes a Man and a Woman; Just The Way You Are; Fantastica; Can We Still Be Friends?; Finally Found Someone; No Other Woman; Won’t Last A Day Without You; Must Be…Love; The Panti Sisters; Isa Pa With Feelings; James & Pat & Dave; Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay; Feng Shui; Suddenly It’s Magic; and I Love You, Hater air on GMA-7.

Present during the signing were GMA Network’s president and chief operating officer, Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Felipe S. Yalong, executive VP and chief financial officer; Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA Network Films’ president and programming Consultant to the chairman and CEO; Jose Mari R. Abacan, first VP of the program management department; Angel Javier-Cruz, VP of corporate affairs and communications; Mitzi Garcia, assistant VP of the program management department; and Jojo Aquio, assistant VP of corporate communications.

From ABS-CBN, the event was attended by Mark Lopez, chairman; Carlo L. Katigbak, president and CEO; Cory V. Vidanes, chief operating officer for broadcast; Ricardo B. Tan, Jr., group chief financial officer; Olivia Lamasan, managing director of ABS-CBN Films Productions; Pia B. Laurel, head of international sales and distribution; Kane Errol C. Choa, VP of corporate communications; Christelle Belmonte, PR director; and Tonichi Tataro, PR manager.

Duavit said, “To us, we are very pleased because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, potential partnerships and cooperation that will have the benefit not only mutually to GMA and ABS-CBN but as importantly, if not perhaps more importantly, to the benefit of the public we both serve—the Filipino viewer. Looking forward, since we have, as they say, ‘broken the ice,’ there is great optimism that these conversations will start and continue, and we look forward to the possibility of this type of an opportunity again moving forward.”

Katigbak commented, “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. We hope 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. Maraming salamat, Chairman Gozon, Jimmy, Annette, Philip, Joey, Joel and all our other friends at GMA who have made this partnership happen.”