GMA-7: Greater and Grateful at 59

GMA-7, the longest running Philippine television network is celebrating its 59th year anniversary this year with the theme "Greater and Grateful at 59".

And as a treat to all loyal Kapuso fans who brought them to being number 1, GMA Network will stage a grand anniversary celebration on Friday, June 19, at the Araneta Coliseum. To get free tickets to this event, you may proceed to GMA Network Center audience entrance from June 15 - 16 at 2pm - 5pm.

GMA-7 is Disappointed in Manny Pacquiao's Decision to Tie-Up with ABS-CBN

Manny Pacquiao's decision to cut his ties with Solar Sports, which broadcasts his fights on TV through GMA-7, and partner again with ABS-CBN causes a big disappointment on GMA Network Management .

In this regard, GMA Network released a statement about Pacquiao's move. And it reads:

"GMA Network is very disappointed with the reported decision of Manny Pacquiao to transfer from Solar Sports to ABS-CBN the rights to broadcast his fight with Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 and his other fights.

"We would like to clarify the following points:

1. The existing contract for the airing of Manny Pacquiao's fights in the Philippines is between Pacquiao and Solar Sports and NOT between Pacquiao and GMA Network;

2. Solar Sports just enters into blocktime agreements with GMA Network for the airing of Manny Pacquiao's fights in the country.

"Ms. Beth Celis in her newspaper column last March 18, 2009 said that 'The network (ABS-CBN) is said to have offered Manny full media support in the next election to ensure victory in the next year's congressional elections.' GMA Network did not offer the same to Pacquiao because the Omnibus Election Code prohibits television networks from doing so. Section 95 of the code states that 'no contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly' by grantees of franchises such as television networks.

"It was also reported that Pacquiao favored the other network because of ABS-CBN's dominance in Saranggani and the international presence of their reporters. GMA Network's news teams and existing contributors in key areas worldwide adequately cover important events like those of Pacquiao's activities. GMA also has a superior signal in General Santos City and environs.

"Aside from his two existing programs, Pinoy Records and Totoy Bato, GMA Entertainment offered projects to Manny as soon as his schedule allows. These include his own sitcom, a drama series, concerts in Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the United States and in key cities in Canada, and boxing clinics around the Philippines. The network may have to review these now in light of the recent developments.

"Moreover, according to GMA's Legal Counsel, Atty. Dick B. Perez, Manny Pacquiao has a separate contract with GMA Network which prohibits him from appearing on 'any television program, show, promotion or event of any other broadcast media entity other than GMA and its subsidiaries and affiliates without the written consent of GMA.' GMA has not given him its consent to appear in ABS-CBN."

Eraserheads: Banda ng Masa, An I-Witness Documentary

Two nights after their history-breaking-sold-out concert at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds titled Eraserheads The Final Set, GMA-7's I-Witness and Jay Taruc featured a documentary about Eraserhead's preparations behind this much awaited event, and looks back at the huge influence that Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan have created among Pinoy bands and musicians today.

Taruc also gets an exclusive interview with the Fab Four, and talks to the people who have been part of their journey, from their U.P. days up until their disbandment.

Watch below the four-part video of I-Witness' E-Heads documentary titled "Eraserheads: Banda ng Masa":

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:

I-Witness is aired every Monday late night right after Saksi on GMA-7.

JC de Vera Stays with GMA-7

It's final! JC de Vera will stay a Kapuso.

GMA Network, through its Corporate Communications, released an official statement earlier today, March 9, about JC de Vera's status as a Kapuso artist. Read below:

"Atty. Felipe Gozon together with Annette Gozon Abrogar met with Ms. Annabelle Rama regarding the issue of the contract of JC de Vera. In the meeting, Atty. Gozon explained to Ms. Rama that the option to renew JC de Vera's contract was with the Network. Ms. Rama understood and said that JC de Vera wants to stay in GMA long term and he just wants to be assured of GMA's support for his career.

"Atty. Gozon told Ms. Rama that JC de Vera had the support of the station in the past and that there has been no change in this support. Ms. Rama agreed to accept the roles that will be assigned to JC by the Network. As previously planned, JC will soon be appearing in a Sine Novela in GMA's Sine Novela timeslot.

"Atty. Gozon explained to Annabelle Rama that in the issue of casting talents, if there are any concerns from the talents themselves or their managers, they can always reason out with the Network and the Network will listen to what they have to say. The final decision, however, shall always rest with the Network. Ms. Rama agreed with Atty. Gozon's point.
"With regard to Ms. Rama's allegations againt Ms. Galvante, SVP of GMA Network, Atty. Gozon told Ms. Rama that he cannot stop Ms. Galvante if she decides to file a case against Annabelle Rama in her personal capacity. He asked Ms. Rama to try to refrain from further speaking about these issues. He also told Ms. Rama that he would similarly request Ms. Galvante to do the same.

"Atty. Gozon affirms that GMA-7 is a professional organization and that it lives up to one of its core values that its people are its best assets."

JC, who will be having his 23rd birthday celebration tonight (his actual birthday is on March 10) at Barrakz Bar in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, where he is also a part-owner, said he is very very happy to know that he is still a Kapuso, "Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Now I have reason to celebrate." said an overwhelmed JC.

Jay-R Goes Back to Acting as Pato in GMA-7's "Lalola"

Prince of RnB Jay-R tries his acting skill once again in the new primetime series of GMA-7 titled Lalola.

The 27-year-old singer excitedly talked about his character, Pato, in the new comedy series.

"Ang tagal na rin since I got into a teleserye, e," said Jay-R. "You know, we're always busy and we're looking for the right part naman. Pero ito naman is a really good part, e."

For this role, Jay-R said he attended some acting workshops. He said, "Actually, maraming preparation this time, e. We did a lot of workshops for drama, for comedy. Okey siya, e. I've never been in a workshop before, pero sa Lalola required talaga, e. So, it was kinda a nice, first time ko."

Jay-R was first seen acting in the movie So Happy Together (2004). It was followed by several TV appearances in shows like Love to Love (2004) and Encantadia (2006). He also appeared in two Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries, Exodus (2005) and Desperadas (2008). Lastly, he will still be part of the sequel of Desperadas in this year's MMFF.

Sunshine Dizon is the Next Featured Artist on GMA-7's "Obra"

Young actress Sunshine Dizon is back after taking a leave from show business following her hospitalization a few months back. For her comeback vehicle, Sunshine was chosen by GMA-7 to star in the drama anthology Obra for the month of October.

Sunshine is happy and proud to be given the lead role in Obra following Katrina Halili and JC de Vera.

Sunshine's Obra stint will feature four stories directed by four equally good directors. The episodes "Rosa Negra," "Drama Queen," "Butch," and "Sapi" listed topnotch directors Joel Lamangan, Maryo J. delos Reyes, Toppel Lee, and Jun Lana.

In "Butch," Sunshine takes on the role of a lesbian who experiences the joy and misery of being a surrogate mom only to lose her child. She then assumes the role of a has-been actress ravaged by vices while still pining for a lost love in "Drama Queen." In "Rosa Negra," Sunshine portrays the character of a negrita who remains hopeful in a world of cynicism. The last episode, in time for the Halloween, is "Sapi" where Sunshine portrays the role of a woman possessed by an evil spirit with a sinister past.

Obra Presents Sunshine Dizon will premiere this Thursday, October 9, after GMA Telebabad.