Rocco Nacino feels glad for latest project with GMA

Rocco Nacino

Rocco Nacino

Kapuso leading man Rocco Nacino feels lucky that he is given another big project by his home network. GMA7.

He is part of the upcoming primetime series, Beautiful Strangers, which is slated to air next month.

In a recent interview, Rocco said it makes him even more motivated to excel and never stop studying his craft and be a role model for other aspiring actors.

“To know that GMA is taking really, really good care of me by giving me good projects, nakakataba ng puso. It makes me even more humbled and motivated na magtrabaho, kasi naiisip ko na for someone as simple as me can make it, it gives me that responsibility to other people especially the younger ones na nag-aaspire na maging actor din, na kung nagawa ko, kaya rin nila.”

Being a home-grown talent of GMA 7, Rocco is happy with how his career is going right now. In fact, aside from working anew with Kapuso Premier Actress Lovi Poe in Beautiful Strangers, he just ticked off one of the items in his bucket list – finally working with Heart Evangelista in a series.

“Nakakatuwa na gusto ng mga bosses na makatambal ko silang dalawa (Heart and Lovi). So napakaswerte ko. Finally, makakatrabaho ko na si Heart. First time ko to work with her and I’m really, really excited.”

He also considers it a privilege to be working with seasoned Christopher de Leon, Ayen Laurel and Dina Bonnevie that is why he makes sure not to be intimidated by their presence.

“I make it a point not to be intimidated by anyone. It’s my personality. Kahit sino ang kaharap ko, kakausapin ko siya professionally on and off cam. Hindi ako nagpapapressure or nagpapasindak. I always maintain respect pero hindi ko hahayaan na ma-intimidate ako kasi mawawala talaga ako sa game ko.”

Beautiful Strangers premieres this August on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

Lovi Poe excited for TV comeback

Lovi Poe at the Philippine Embassy in Hateen

Lovi Poe

Lovi Poe onstage

Hot off the heels of her successful GMA Pinoy TV show in Kuwait, Kapuso actress Lovi Poe returns to primetime via Beautiful Strangers.

 

Lovi is filled with excitement as she portrays her character, Joyce, a woman who is seeking revenge from a family who wronged her.

 

“I’m so happy to be part of an exciting series, which will feature some of the best actors on TV and film. Kaya naman ganado at masayang-masaya ako na muling mapanood sa primetime,” she says.

 

She also recently finished working on a movie, Lakambini, wherein she plays the role of Gregoria ‘Oryang’ De Jesus, the founder of the women’s chapter of the Katipunan.

 

“It’s a dream role for me, and it’s such a huge challenge to be doing a film about a woman who made a history,” relates Lovi.

 

Catch more of her this August in Beautiful Strangers on GMA Pinoy TV.

Philippines’ first multi-platform boy band competition “To The Top” on GMA Pinoy TV

Moy Ortiz of The Company

OJ Mariano of The Company

Online Host Julian Trono

Prince Paltu-ob of D’Crew

Ryan Cayabyab

Sweet Plantado of The Company

Tony V of Sound Squad

GMA Network launches the Philippines’ first-ever multi-platform boy band competition – To The Top.

 

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, To The Top is a twice-a-week reality-based, talent development program featuring 18 young and gifted male vocals who are all vying to be part of the Kapuso Network’s newest boy band.

 

Unlike other reality programs which held open auditions, To The Top scoured the country and invited the best male vocals from different schools and organizations to join the auditions.

 

The show documents the journey of these young men from being solo artists or being members of their respective singing groups to ultimately becoming part of the country’s newest boy band.

 

All these experiences were seen by the public when GMA made the competition initially available online via www.gmanetwork.com/tothetop. Serving as host of the program’s webisodes is Kapuso homegrown artist Julian Trono, who recently underwent intensive training under the Kpop system.

 

After a series of rigorous auditions, the program announced its 25 finalists, which were later trimmed down to 14. Adding a twist to the competition, netizens were then asked to vote for their favorites who were earlier eliminated in the series to become the competition’s wildcards.  Thus, a total of 18 finalists will now work their way to the top.

 

The 18 TO THE TOP artists are AJ Ajrouche, Lance Busa, Ken Carpena, Mico Cruz, Cholo dela Cruz, Martin de Vera, Luis Gragera, Joshua Jacobe, MJ Magno, Miko Manguba, Seph Manlapaz, Bryan Olano, JP Palanca, Adrian Pascual, Louie Pedroso, Lharby Policarpio, Edric Ulang and Chris Yumang.

 

Throughout the season, the artists – who will be divided into three groups – will be housed together and will undergo more intensive vocal and dance trainings for their upcoming performances and evaluations.

 

Helping the program achieve this are some of the country’s top music icons led by no less than Maestro Ryan Cayabyab serving as the competition’s main judge.

 

Joining The Maestro in this project are vocal coaches Moy Ortiz, Sweet Plantado and OJ Mariano of the Philippines’ premier vocal ensemble The Company; dance coaches and 2-time World Hip Hop Champions Philippine All-stars alumni Madelle and Prince Paltu-ob, as well as international breakdancing champion Jesse “Reflex” Gotangco; and the Sound Squad of musical arrangers and sound engineers led by Jonathan Ong and his team from Sonic State Audio — Chino David, Chrisanthony Vinzons and Brian Lotho.

 

Also lending his expertise in the early part of the competition is celebrity ace photographer Mark Nicdao.

 

Who among them will make it to the top? Find out as the showdown begins July 20 in ASPAC and July 19 in the US, Canada and the Middle East.

 

For the latest updates, follow TO THE TOP on Facebook www.facebook.com/GMAToTheTop, Twitter twitter.com/GMAToTheTop, and on Instagram instagram.com/GMAToTheTop.

Kapuso artists conquer the global stage

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai – Kapuso Royal Couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai. Photo courtesy of The Filipino Times

GMA International marked another banner year in 2014 with a series of successful events held in key regions around the globe.

 

Driven by its goal of strengthening the Kapuso equity among its viewers in ways beyond television, GMA’s international business unit gave Filipinos abroad a taste of home through various on-ground events featuring the Network’s top artists.

 

As GMA Vice President for International Operations Joseph T. Francia notes, “More than providing quality programs and services through our international channels, these events are an opportunity for our artists to interact with the viewers, which is integral to extending the Kapuso experience to our audience overseas.”

 

In the first half of the year, GMA participated in several well-attended events held in various cities worldwide for the annual celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

 

Last year’s festivities saw Kapuso prime artists Tom Rodriguez and Heart Evangelista gracing the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City while Kapuso leading man Geoff Eigenmann joined fans in Carson City, California.

 

Over in Kuwait, Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose and singer-comedienne Gladys Guevarra were featured inMusika at Tawanan 4, which gathered more than 3000 overseas workers in the region.

 

And finally, the Independence Day celebrations culminated with Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes joining his kababayan in Bolingbrook, Chicago for the Philippine Fest Piyesta Pinoy 2014 and Kapuso Premier Actress Lovi Poe delighting over 7000 Filipino-Canadians who came to the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show sa Toronto.

 

Apart from these, GMA also celebrated the vibrancy of Filipino culture as it brought Kapuso stars Benjamin Alves and Steven Silva to the Flores de Mayo Festival in Hawaii, which highlighted iconic Filipino traditions, while Kapuso Soul Diva Jaya headlined the third Vancouver OPM Festival in Canada, commemorating decades of great Filipino music.

 

Moreover, the country’s longest running noontime show brought its trademark “isang libo’t isang tuwa” to the Filipino community in Canada with the much-awaited Eat Bulaga Live in Toronto concert led by the renowned comedic trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, who were joined by the rest of the Dabarkads Pauleen Luna, Ruby Rodriguez, Jimmy Santos, Allan K., Julia Clarete, Keempee de Leon, the “Sugod Bahay Gang” of Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, and Paolo Ballesteros, as well as the show’s well-loved Aleng Maliit, Ryzza Mae Dizon.

 

“Through our continued presence abroad, GMA hopes to remain instrumental in cultivating the Filipino spirit outside our home country,” Francia explains.

 

Capping off the year’s successful endeavors, GMA International brought some of its brightest stars to Los Angeles, Dubai and Singapore for the much-anticipated Kapusong Pinoy concert series.

 

As one of the hottest love teams on television, Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez thrilled the crowd in the sold-out concert titled Kapusong Pinoy sa LA with their undeniable chemistry. They were joined by Julie Anne San Jose, Kapuso teen star Miguel Tanfelix and actor-comedian Betong Sumaya who portrayed his popular character Antonietta from the country’s longest running comedy show Bubble Gang.

 

This was followed by the equally successful Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai which brought the Kapuso Network’s now-married Royal Couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera and Julie Anne San Jose to Dubai’s Global Village. Over 7000 spectators witnessed GMA’s Primetime King and Queen’s romantic duet and each artist’s individual performances.

 

GMA completed the concert series and concluded 2014 with a tribute to its loyal Kapuso fans abroad. Drama King Dennis Trillo along with the Fearless Diva Jonalyn Viray and Betong as Antonietta topbilled Kapusong Pinoy sa Singapore, giving their audience an entertainment-filled night to remember.

 

As another year commences, GMA International remains committed in the service of its overseas audiences, effectively bridging Filipinos all over the world to their home country.

 

For updates on GMA Network’s artists, programs, international channels and events, visit the websitewww.gmanetwork.com/international, Facebook pages www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV,www.facebook.com/gmalifetv, and www.facebook.com/gmanewsinternational, Twitter pages @gmapinoytv, @gma_lifetv, and @gmanewstvintl and Instagram account @gmapinoytv.

GMA International, keeping the Filipino spirit alive worldwide

Dingdong Dantes in Bolingbrook, Illinois – Meet and greet

Dingdong Dantes in Bolingbrook, Illinois 2

Dingdong Dantes in Bolingbrook, Illinois

Geoff Eigenmann in Carson City, California – GMA booth

Geoff Eigenmann in Carson City, California – performing onstage

Heart Evangelista and Tom Rodriguez in NY – with fans at the GMA booth

Heart Evangelista and Tom Rodriguez in NY

Julie Anne San Jose, Kuwait

Julie Anne San Jose, Kuwait

Lovi Poe in Toronto – Giving out GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV merchandise

Lovi Poe in Toronto

Lovi Poe with Ms Philippines Canada winners

Steven Silva and Benjamin Alves, Flores De Mayo

Steven Silva and Benjamin Alves, Flores De Mayo

GMA Network, through its international business unit, GMA International, was at the heart of several key celebrations around the world in commemoration of the Philippines’ 116^th Independence Day this June.

 

“Through GMA’s participation in the annual celebration of Philippine Independence, we strive to keep the Filipino spirit alive all around the globe and instill a sense of nationalism across all generations,” says GMA Vice-President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “GMA hopes to create a sense of home wherever there is a Filipino,” he adds.

 

The festivities began in New York City with Kapuso prime artists Tom Rodriguez and Heart Evangelista gracing the GMA International booth at the Philippine Independence Day celebration on Madison Avenue last June 1. To the delight of their fans, Tom and Heart readily posed for photographs with the stream of people at the GMA booth, which was one of the busiest in the area.

 

On June 7, the city of Carson welcomed Kapuso leading man Geoff Eigenmann in the Philippine Independence Day parade led by Carson City Mayor Pro Tempore Elito Santarina as Grand Marshall. Geoff entertained an enthusiastic crowd during the GMA variety show and ended the day interacting with his fans at the meet and greet activity.  The celebration was a showcase of Filipino culture with local Filipino performers and booths that served Filipino delicacies and products. The event is an annual activity sponsored by the city and the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, with the support of various Filipino-American organizations in Carson, Los Angeles and Long Beach.

 

Meanwhile, Kapuso fans in Kuwait were serenaded by Asia’s Pop Sweetheart and 9-time Platinum Record Award holder Julie Anne San Jose and singer-comedienne Gladys Guevarra at Musika at Tawanan 4 last June 13. The event, which is part of the local Philippine Independence day festivities, gathered more than 3000 overseas workers in the region for a night of fun, entertainment, and Filipino flavor. The large audience was awed by Julie Anne’s powerful performance of hit songs while Gladys captured the crowd with her comedic act.

 

On June 14, GMA International also participated in the Mabuhay Festival in California, an event which drew in over 7000 individuals. The GMA booth showcased the Network’s three international channels- GMA Pinoy TV, its flagship international channel; GMA Life TV, the first international Filipino lifestyle channel; and GMA News TV International, an international news channel powered by the Philippines’ most trusted news and public affairs team.

 

Completing the series of events were visits from two of GMA primetime’s biggest stars, Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Kapuso Premier Actress Lovi Poe, who are currently seen on GMA Pinoy TV via the enthralling drama, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real.

 

Dingdong joined his kababayans abroad at Bolingbrook in Chicago on June 21 for the Philippine Fest Piyesta Pinoy 2014 which included vibrant cultural performances by Filipino-American artists and native dance numbers by young Filipino-Americans dressed in traditional attire. The audience was not disappointed as their favorite Kapuso leading man entertained them with a song number and mingled with his fans all throughout the event.

 

Lovi, on the other hand, livened up the crowd at the “Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show sa Toronto” last June 28. With a repertoire of local and foreign songs, she serenaded over 7000 Filipino-Canadians who attended the Independence Day celebration. Lovi proved to be a hit with the audience as fans lined up at the GMA booth to meet and take photos with the actress. Those who visited the booth were also treated to GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV merchandise. During her visit, Lovi was also invited to participate in the Ms. Philippines Canada coronation ceremony.

 

Apart from the Independence Day events, GMA International also celebrated the traditional Flores de Mayo festival in Hawaii last May. Kapuso stars Steven Silva and Benjamin Alves participated in the festivities which highlighted the colorful Filipino culture.

 

Through its continued presence overseas, GMA International remains instrumental in cultivating the Filipino spirit wherever a Filipino may be, keeping our kababayans both here and abroad “proudly Pinoy, proudly Kapuso.”

 

For more information on GMA International’s events, artists and programs, visit the website,www.gmanetwork.com/international.

GMA Network stays ahead of rivals in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in May Gears up for upcoming launches in June

24 Oras

GMA Network continued to lead in its stronghold areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in May, according to data from the broadcast industry’s most trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

 

Urban Luzon and Mega Manila account for 77% and 60%, respectively, of the total urban TV household population in the entire country.

 

For the period May 1 to 31 (with the dates of May 25 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA led competition in total day ratings in Urban Luzon with a 35% household audience share, besting ABS-CBN’s 33% by 2 points, and TV5’s 11.9% by 23.1 points.

 

GMA also kept its total day ratings advantage in Mega Manila, registering a 36.5% household audience share, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30.6% by 5.9 points and TV5’s 12.9% by 23.6 points. GMA led across all day parts in the area including the hotly contested primetime block.

 

Compared to its key competitor, more GMA programs (18 out of 30) registered in the list of top-performing programs in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila. Multi-awarded news magazine programKapuso Mo, Jessica Soho led all Kapuso shows in both the Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists; while grabbing the number one spot over-all in Mega Manila once again.

 

Other ratings drivers for the month were Magpakailanman, Celebrity Bluff, Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento, 24 Oras, and the newly launched primetime drama, Niño.

 

Nationwide, GMA continued to beat rival networks in the morning block with its 33.1% average, up 4.5 points from ABS-CBN’s 28.6% and up 17.9 points from TV5’s 15.2%.

 

This June, GMA further strengthens its programming by launching several new shows, namely Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real starring Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, and Ms. Maricel Soriano on GMA Telebabad; The Half Sisters featuring Barbie Forteza and Thea Tolentino on GMA Afternoon Prime; Ismol Family a weekend sitcom with Ryan Agoncillo, Carla Abellana, Mark Justine Alvarez, Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, Mikael Daez, and Carmi Martin; and Marian, a dance-variety program top-billed by Marian Rivera.

 

The Network is also set to launch My BFF, a family drama which stars Janno Gibbs, Manilyn Reynes, Mona Louise Rey, and Jillian Ward; Dading, a weekday soap with Gabby Eigenmann, Glaiza de Castro, and Benjamin Alves; and My Destiny, a forthcoming drama on GMA Telebabad starring Rhian Ramos, Tom Rodriguez, Sid Lucero, and Carla Abellana in the latter part of the month.

 

GMA subscribes to the Nielsen TV Audience Measurement service, while ABS-CBN is the lone local major TV network that subscribes to Kantar Media, formerly known as TNS.

 

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media.

 

To know more about GMA International channels, please visit www.gmanetwork.com/international.

Julie Anne San Jose and Gladys Guevarra to perform for Kapuso fans in Kuwait

Musika at Tawanan 4

The Alliance of Filipino Organizations in Kuwait (ALLFIL-OK), together with GMA International and My-HD, presents Musika at Tawanan 4 featuring Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose and singer-comedienne Gladys Guevarra.

 

As part of the local Philippine Independence Day festivities, Musika at Tawanan is the biggest and most-anticipated annual event in Kuwait, with over 5 000 Filipinos gathering each year in a celebration of music and laughter. The event will be held on June 13, 2014 at the Al Arabi Sports Gym, Mansouriya, Kuwait.

 

GMA International, the business unit that manages the operation and distribution of GMA Network’s international channels– GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International– is looking forward to bringing the Kapuso experience to the Filipino community in Kuwait.

 

“GMA International recognizes that Kuwait has been an underserved region in the past years,” says Joseph T. Francia, GMA Vice-President and Head of International Operations. “This event is a great opportunity for us to reach out to our fellow Filipinos in Kuwait and, together with My-HD, we look forward to providing quality programming and services to more of our kababayans in the years to come.”

 

The event is spearheaded by ALLFIL-OK, which is composed of the Filipino Badminton Committee, the Filipino Cultural Club, Makulay, The Sandigan in Kuwait, the Filipino Association of Secretaries Employment Agencies in Kuwait, the Philippine Society of Marketing Specialists in Kuwait (PHILSOCMSK), Filipinos in Kuwait, Pilipino sa Kuwait, and the Filipino Zumba Association in Kuwait.

 

“We are very pleased and honored to partner with GMA International and My-HD in bringing world-class Filipino talents to Kuwait. We promise to give our kababayans in Kuwait a fun-filled show,” stated ALLFIL-OK Over-all Coordinator Dr. Chie Umandap.

 

ALL-FIL OK Finance Director and President of PHILSOCMSK Ana Del Mundo adds, “With Musika at Tawanan, we want to bring Filipinos in Kuwait closer to home, fostering camaraderie as we all celebrate the Philippine Independence Day and pay tribute to all OFWs across the globe.”

 

Aside from performing at the event, Julie Anne and Gladys will also visit distressed OFWs at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait.

 

This will be Julie Anne’s second visit to the Middle East, the first being her concert in Dubai presented by GMA International and My-HD where she was warmly welcomed by the Filipino community. Owing to the success of her concert in Dubai, Filipinos in Kuwait are also eager to see the Kapuso singer and actress perform in the country. Julie Anne, whose self-titled album recently won a 9-time Platinum Record Award, is a regular cast member on GMA Network’s Sunday noontime variety show Sunday All-Stars and is currently working on her second solo studio album to be released this June.

 

On the other hand, this event marks the first time that Gladys will perform on stage for Kapuso fans in the Middle East. She is a frequent guest on GMA’s highest-rating comedy game show Celebrity Bluff and has co-hosted many GMA programs in the past, such as Manny Many Prizes and the longest-running noontime show, Eat Bulaga.

 

The organizers will also be bringing in the dynamic comic duo Iya and Tekla, along with guest host Rey Pumaloy. The show is directed by GMA’s Kuwait correspondent Ricky Laxa.

 

Gates will open at 1:00 PM and the event proper will run from 4:00 – 9:30 PM.

 

Tickets are available at Jollibee branches in Kuwait, Manyaman Restaurant in the Salmiya area, Mario’s Restaurant-Fahaheel, or contact Ms. Mildred Lacson at 66915361 or Dr. Chie Umandap at 97197268.

 

To subscribe to My-GMA on My-HD, call 04-4354845 or visit http://www.my-hd.tv/my-gma. For more information on GMA International channels, visit www.gmanetwork.com/international.