Kapamilya stars have shared their opinion about signing a contract anew with ABS-CBN even after the network was shut down due to its denied franchise. They said that they have mixed emotions about it but they were grateful to the network overall.
On December 4, eight Star Magic artists and new talents renewed their contracts with ABS-CBN at an event dubbed as “Star Magic Shines On.”
According to an article by ent.abs-cbn, the event was led by Kapamilya network’s top executives, Chairman Mark Lopez, President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L. Katigbak, Chief Operating Officer Cory V. Vidanes, Chief Finance Officer Rick Tan, and the head of both Entertainment Production and Star Magic Laurenti Dyogi.
It was hosted by Gretchen Fullido along with MJ Felipe who later interviewed the artists about their thoughts on their contract signing with ABS-CBN.
When actor JM de Guzman was asked, he mentioned that the feeling was different right now compared to the other times that he renewed his contract with the network. He said that renewing his contract right now feels like a ‘redemption’ for him.
“Iba ‘yong feeling ngayon. Mas overwhelming and ‘yong spirits ng mga tao sa paligid mo, sobrang taas. Well, as compared sa before, parang another day in the office, pirma, alis. Ngayon iba e, parang mayro’ng redemption,” he said.
Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin star Joseph Marco stated that the experience was kind of bittersweet for him given the many challenges that ABS-CBN had.
“For the past couple of years, na-experience namin mag-sign. But this one, para siyang bittersweet. From the things na pinagdaanan ng management, but we’re still here, we’re standing, and we’re hoping na it’s gonna be good in the future. I’m just really thankful and blessed to be given this opportunity,” he stated.
“I’m really happy with Star Magic – how they take care of me, how they manage us – talagang wala akong masasabi. It’s just that, unfortunately, things happened. And up until now, my loyalty is with [ABS-CBN] and Star Magic talaga,” he added.
New Darna Jane De Leon explained that the experience gave her a mix of emotions. But she assured people that she is happy to be with ABS-CBN.
“Feeling blessed pa rin ako at ‘yong tiwala nila sa akin, I’m so happy pa rin. Mixed emotions ako kanina e.’ ‘Yong nangingibabaw lang talaga sa’kin ‘yong kasiyahan. And excited ako sa mga darating pa na chapters,” said the actress.
She added saying, “Ngayon lang ako naiyak. Siguro kasi masyadong ang daming nangyari. Doon ako nasubok. Maraming magandang opportunities, but I chose to be a Kapamilya.”
She also explained that she wanted to stay with Star Magic because she knew how the talent management arm takes care of its artists.
“Siguro may kanya-kanya rin namang decisions ‘yong bawat artist and irespeto natin ‘yong desisyon na ginawa nila. But for me, I am happy na nandito ako as a Star Magic artist ever since. ‘Di ko alam pero parang gusto ko dito na ako lumaki and alam ko kung paano sila mag-alaga,” she explained.
The ABS-CBN network was denied a fresh franchise on July 10, 2020, after 70 lawmakers voted to deny the network’s franchise application. The denial resulted in the network’s shut down and a retrenchment of its employees.
However, on October 10, 2020, the A2Z Channel 11 was launched as the network’s temporary terrestrial channel space which is a block time agreement between ABS-CBN Corporation and ZOE Broadcasting Network.
