Magandang Buhay host Jolina Magdangal never intended to leave ABS-CBN during its lowest point, she said on Wednesday, February 22.
She was among the artists who had their contracts renewed in the recently held Kapamilya Strong.
Magdangal explained that Kapamilyas should stay with the Network “through thick and thin.”
“Sa akin kasi, noong nangyari iyon, wala talaga akong dalawang isip na ‘bakit hindi?’ Kasi ang sabi ko nga dati, kung nagsasama-sama tayo ‘pag Christmas Special, kung nagsasama-sama tayo kapag merong ball at merong big event na masaya, bakit tayo hindi magsama-sama kapag nangangailangan lalo nang isa’t-isa,” explained the the TV host.
“So para sa akin, hindi naging issue na okay, matatakot ba ako dahil yes, nanay ako? Ang nanaig sa akin, ito yung time na mas dapat kumapit kami sa isa’t-isa.”
Magdangal also wanted to encourage colleagues to stay though she respects it if they prefer to leave.
“Yung mga gusto bumitaw, try nating hilahin pero kung ayaw na, okay lang. Basta try mo pa rin yakapin yung iba. Yun ang pinaka-nanaig sa akin.”
Magdangal, who had 33 fruitful years in showbusiness, considered the 1992 youth-oriented program Ang TV as the highlight of her career.
It was also the show that marked her debut as an artist.
“Sa Ang TV kasi kahit sabihin na nating ’90s ito,” she recalled.
\”Kasi talent center pa noong time na ‘yon eh. ‘Di ba? Naalala natin ‘yan? Takbo-takbo lang tayo diyan.”
She also personally considered the Network’s never-changing vibe to be the height of her showbiz journey.
“Pero para sa akin, the fact na nag-talent center ako, tapos nag-ibang bahay muna for a while, tapos pagbalik ko parang hindi ako nawala, yun ang highlight na rin para sa akin.
“Kasi hindi lahat nabibigyan nang ganoong pagkakataon at privilege para magkaroon nang ganoong welcome. Kumbaga yung akap ng isang pamilya, naramdaman ko pa rin after all these yeras na hindi kami nagkita, parang ganoon,” she said.
Magdangal also advised the younger generation who were eager to follow in their footsteps to always “keep their feet on the ground.”
“Kasi kapag yun ang hindi nawala, kahit saan sila mapunta, talagang lilipad sila ng todo. Kasi yun ang pinaka-core nila eh, yung values na dapat nakatago lang sa kanila. Ibig sabihin lang kasi no’n hindi sila yayabang. So hangga’t nand’yan ang pagkakakumbaba hindi lang sa kapwa artista kundi sa mga katrabaho mo na nagpupuyat ng script, I guess malayung-malayo ang mararating mo.”
Also present in the contract signing were seasoned singers Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. Star Magic talents Shaina Magdayao, Zanjoe Marudo, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Erich Gonzalez, Ronnie Alonte, and Loisa Andalio signed their respective contract renewals as well.
