GMA 7 unveils a cost-efficient but exciting 2009 line-up

Author: The Daily Tribune
Column: Life

The Philippine television industry has started to feel the effects of a downturn in the global economy. This much GMA 7’s Entertainment Division senior vice president Wilma Galvante admitted recently when the network announced its upcoming programs on primetime this 2009. As they say in show business, “The show must go on!”

“We have been affected by the economic recession since the last quarter of 2008,” Galvante told the local entertainment press recently. Because of the lower ad spend, she added, the network has had to cut costs and be more cost-efficient. “Nevertheless we are programming the year to be able to deliver the entertainment with the same high-quality but without costing too much. That’s has been the challenge: Tipid ka, but it still has to be good and should rate!”

One of the TV station’s plans is to choose good programs that would draw the audiences and the ads. These include the widely successful Obra and Dear Friend. “We are deriving ways to save, but at the same time bringing in other programs. The comedy Nuts Entertainment, for example, has been removed, but the channel is presenting a new late-evening show, Cool Center, to target a specific audience.

Primetime and afternoon shows

Meanwhile, a wide range of drama, action, suspense, fiction and adventure-inspired programs, starred by the biggest and hottest actors and actresses of Philippine show business, makes up GMA’s successful primetime block for the first quarter of the year.

“The first soap opera to come out in primetime is the third of the Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera team-up; after that they won’t come out together in a soap for a long time,” relates Lilybeth Rasonable, GMA Entertainment Division’s vice president for Drama.

Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang is a TV adaptation of a graphic novel by noted director Carlo J. Caparas. This stunning series, which combines the elements of action, drama, suspense, mystery and romance, will feature Dantes and Rivera in their most daring roles on television thus far. Director Joyce Bernal, the same director who megged their previous primetime hits Marimar and Dyesebel, directs this upcoming action packed drama program to replace Lalola in its primetime slot beginning Feb. 9.

“This will also be their third and last collaboration with direk Joyce,” adds Rasonable. “The series will take them to a whole new level — it will be sexier than before and will test their talent for action. Audiences can expect scenes to be steamier, but since Marian has a huge following among the younger audience, the sexy scenes will not be the same as in other soaps. The signature banter (between the main characters) will still be there, but the different storyline is expected to expand their fan base.”

Totoy Bato, a remake of another Carlo J. Caparas komiks creation, will also debut in GMA Telebabad within the first quarter of the year of the Ox. Robin Padilla stars as the titular character, a third class boxer, and stars opposite Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez. This action/romance series is also worth looking forward to, as this will be Robin and Regine’s first time to appear in a high-octane action TV series following their victorious team-up on the silver screen. Totoy Bato will also launch boxing

champion Manny Pacquiao’s television acting career. He will be playing the role of a... boxer.

Also in the offing is Zorro, a Philippine adaptation of the foreign bullwhipping hero, which will star Richard Gutierrez. From a cyborg hero in Codename: Asero, Richard is currently busy with fencing and horseback riding lessons in preparation for his role as Zorro. Zorro follows the courageous life of the dashing masked protagonist whose main mission is to defend good from evil. Auditions were held last Jan. 16 for the actress who will play Zorro’s leading lady.

To complete GMA’s list of upcoming primetime programs is All About Eve, which features a casting coup. Topbilled by Sunshine Dizon, Mark Anthony Fernanez, Iza Calzado, Alfred Vargas and the powerful triumvirate of Jean Garcia, Eula Valdez and Richard Gomez. GMA Network has acquired the rights to produce a local remake of. the Korean hit drama, which revolves around the lives of two beautiful women whose relationship turns from friendship to fierce rivalry.

Needless to say, GMA Telebabad with its solid and impressive primetime block will definitely be a tough force to reckon with not only for the first season, but also for the rest of the year.

Meanwhile, Sine Novela Presents Paano Ba Ang Pangarap, GMA’s latest installment in its afternoon program array premieres on Feb. 16. Former sweethearts and first ever Starstruck Ultimate Survivors Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras are reprising the roles of Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon in the TV Version of the 1983 film under the direction of multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan. This compelling tale of romance hindered by social differences doubles as Mercado’s much-awaited drama comeback, as well as the actress’s reunion with Herras, her ex-boyfriend and love team partner.

Game shows

Also, GMA 7 is also cooking up a thrilling list of game and reality-based programs that are sure to keep viewers at the edge of their seats. Occupying Family Feud Celebrity Edition’s Sunday timeslot is My Dad is Better Than Your Dad, hosted by actor Paolo Contis. The Pinoy edition of this foreign game show will pit father and kid tandems against each other in three rounds, which measure strength, brains and bravery. At the end of the show, the best among the three teams will have a chance to win as much as P100,000.

Two other game shows — Hole in the Wall and Power of 10 — await viewers this 2009. Hole in the Wall, a daily 30-minute game show to replace Family Feud in the last week of April, is a local version of a foreign game show known as the “Human Tetris Game.” Ogie Alcasid and Michael V. as Angelina and Yaya, respectively, will host this hilarious and one-of-a-kind show.

Meanwhile, the local version of Power of 10, scheduled to air in the second week of May, will soon have the distinction of being the biggest, most generous game show in the country. Simply answer 10 poll questions correctly and walk away with a hefty P10 million!

Last but definitely not least, Cool Center — a weekly comedy talk show on TV — will add a new twist to late night viewing beginning March 2009. The show will feature different segments ranging from advice portions to comical Q & As and will replace Nuts Entertainment.

Armed with bigger, bolder and better ideas, the Kapuso Station is all geared up and eager to bring another year full of high quality and well-crafted programs to Filipino viewers here and beyond.

Source: The Daily Tribune

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