At 60, GMA remains as the leading network that touches hearts and enriches lives of Filipinos everywhere and is poised to face the future – bigger, bolder, better.
The Network finally reached international territories in 2005 with the launching of GMA Pinoy TV, and in 2008 with the launching of GMA Life TV. Both channels air top-rating news and entertainment programs that bring the Kapuso signature warmth to Filipinos across the globe. It comes as no surprise, then, that the very young channels have a growing number of subscribers worldwide. As of the first half of their mother network’s 60th year, GMA Pinoy TV has at least 256,000 subscribers, while GMA Life TV has about 122,000.
“Our programs on GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are fruits of the labor of the best minds in the industry – from news and public affairs to entertainment. More than the impeccable production value of these certified top-rating shows, they carry the trademark Kapuso signature principle of ‘touching hearts and enriching lives,’” says Joseph T. Francia, GMA’s VP for International Operations.
Francia added that another ingredient to this success is the spirit of Serbisyong Totoo in the two international channels’ operations. “Aside from our world-class programming that brings the Philippines into the homes of our kababayan abroad, we also organized celebrations and initiated several projects that best define how our two international channels carry out our mother network’s mission.”
Very much like Pinoy sports champions Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton and the RP Gilas team, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV continually battle the odds and grow to be formidable media entities overseas. The two channels are every inch champions in terms of their strong presence in several territories abroad, and by the events they bannered.
In April, the RP Gilas Five proved they are a team to reckon with when they waved the Philippine flag in the American Basketball Association. In June, the team dominated the Manila Invitational Basketball Tournament, and placed fourth at the 32nd William Jones Cup in Taiwan in July.
Pinay boxing champ Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, meanwhile, showed the world what stuff Pinay champions are made of when she defeated Mexican Maria Elena Villalobos in June. Her victory earned her a hero’s welcome in July.
Aside from these achievements in sports, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV defined entertainment through a series of concerts in the US and Canada – “Heart 2 Heart” that featured Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes. The country’s top love team – Marian and Dingdong also made the world fall in love all over again through their blockbuster movie “You To Me Are Everything” that had its series of international screenings in June.
“Eat! Bulaga,” by itself an institution in Philippine entertainment, invaded the Sin City in June, and brought with it its trademark isanlibo’t isang tuwa to Pinoys in the US. Later that month, GMA Pinoy TV added more flavor to the 20th Grand Parade and Festival of Jersey City in New Jersey with performances from Rhian Ramos, Mark Herras and Kris Bernal.
The Kababayan Fest on July 10 at California’s Great America Theme Park in San Francisco got more stellar with Kapuso primetime star Rhian Ramos, “StarStruck V” Ultimate Male Survivor Steven Silva, and Jay-R. The July 17 Kababayan Fest party at the Knott’s Berry Farm in Los Angeles was bannered by coosome twosome Geoff Eigenman and Carla Abellana, “StarStruck” ultimate survivors Kris, Jackie Rice and Steven Silva. Plus, both celebrations had Pinay boxing champ Ana Julaton.
While in Canada, Katrina Halili, Mark Herras, Wendell Ramos, John Nite and German “Kuya Germs” Moreno brought with them the Kapuso brand of fun and entertainment at the Mabuhay Philippines! Toronto Summer Festival in July.
“Yes, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are very young channels – and we are indeed consciously gearing our efforts to innovate and make our services better for our Kapusos abroad,” Francia noted.
