MIPCOM Spotlight: GMA Worldwide

Part contemporary drama and part romantic comedy, I Heart Davao is among the titles that GMA Worldwide will be showcasing at MIPCOM.

The series was launched in June in the Philippines and had an average share of 45.8 percent in its 9:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. time slot. GMA Worldwide is making that series available to international buyers at MIPCOM, alongside My Korean Jagiya and Bow of Justice 2. Both series made their broadcast debuts in August and achieved strong ratings. This success follows on from the GMA-produced drama A Woman Scorned. “The story revolves around the themes of love, adultery and faithfulness,” says Manuel Paolo Laurena, the senior sales manager at GMA Worldwide. “Filipino dramas normally air from Monday to Friday. However, due to popular demand, GMA had to extend the drama’s weekday run to include Saturday.”

“We have an ongoing goal to make GMA the primary source of quality Filipino dramas,” Laurena says.

While GMA Worldwide has been working to extend the reach of its dramas in the international market, the company has also seen the value of selling its scripts as formats. “Viewers enjoy watching dramas that portray strong family values, love and romance, and the triumph of truth and justice,” says Laurena. Highlights from its slate of scripted formats include Until We Meet Again, The Other Mrs. Real and My Superstar.

“We hope to strengthen our relationships with our partners and meet new buyers at MIPCOM. Of course, the immediate and primary goal is to sell content to as many territories as possible,” Laurena says.

He adds, “GMA’s drama formats will do well internationally because the dramas we produce illustrate real-life experiences that the viewers can easily relate to.”