After the shutdown of ABS-CBN, Kapamilya celebs were deprived of their livelihood and are now looking for projects elsewhere in the entertainment industry.
With the majority decision of the house of representatives committees to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, it impacted the lives of 11,000 employees.
These employees have lost jobs, projects, and sources of income. Among these employees are prominent Kapamilya celebrities beloved by the public.
The question in people’s minds now is, “where are these celebs now?”
Following the network shutdown, the staff of Kapamilya shows were released from contracts to allow them to work with other networks. Talks of the possible network transfers of prominent Kapamilya Stars have been circling the entertainment news circuit.
Here is what we know so far:
• Rumors are circulating that some Kapamilya celebs are in negotiation with TV5 and GMA Network for possible network transfers.
• Kapamilya shows are still streaming via the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel, Kapamilya Online Live.
• Former Kapamilya celebs have already moved to other networks even before the shutdown.
There are rumors of network transfer among the existing pool of Kapamilya personalities.
One of the most recent reports for the talks regarding the possible move to another network is Korina Sanchez. A prominent member of the ABS-CBN News team, she also spearheads the magazine TV program, Rated K. In a recent Instagram post, Sanchez has hinted that her TV show will still broadcast their content soon. One of the netizens asked whether there if there was any truth to the rumors of her having negotiations with TV5 to which she replied, “Abangan ang susunod na kabanata, Salamat sa pagmamahal.”
While other celebrities like Julia Montes and Sarah Geronimo have been subject to rumors of negotiations of network transfer to GMA Network after the shutdown, Montes’ camp discredited this rumor stating that there were no talks of moving to GMA Network. Geronimo’s camp has yet to release any statement addressing the reports.
On the other hand, Pokwang, Ria Atayde, and Jessy Mendiola already have TV shows lined up with TV5 where they will be working with Kapuso Stars. Pokwang and Ria Atayde with Pauleen Luna, a host from GMA Network, will be co-hosting the morning talk show, Rise and Shine, currently known as Chika, BESH! Mendiola is said to host a fitness TV show in the same network titled, Fitness For Life.
Other celebs are still waiting for new projects and the renewal of ABS’ franchise despite the release of their contracts.
The Kapamilya network has already migrated some of their programs to digital platforms like YouTube, in which prominent TV shows like It’s Showtime and Magandang Buhay are live-streamed.
Former Kapamilya celebrities like; Aiko Melendez, Jon Lucas, John Estrada, Rayver Cruz, Kiray Celis, Myrtle Sarrosa, Kisses Delavin, and Paul Salas have already moved to GMA Network even before the talks for the shutdown have started.
ABS-CBN was shut down back in May after it received a cease and desist order from National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). It was a result of the rejected franchise renewal of the network via the congressional hearing. ABS-CBN’s team filed a temporary restraining order against the cease and desist order via the Supreme Court and is currently awaiting the new schedule of the trial.
