Network exclusivity and switching networks have been a practice in the local entertainment scene for decades, and while many who jump from one TV network—or talent management, for that matter—to another, are usually deeply-criticized and called names for being ‘ingrato, ingrata’ or ‘walang utang na loob’, some departures are easily justified and understandable. Those who chose to stick with their homegrown or new TV network, however, deserve the most extravagant praises.
The list includes active Kapamilya stars who are currently doing a project—or set to do a project or projects, very soon—with ABS-CBN. Some actors on this list, either left ABS-CBN for a while (only to go back) or had projects with other TV networks, while they were with ABS-CBN.
28 Years
Judy Ann Santos, John Prats, Vhong Navarro, and Carlo Aquino are among the longest-staying Kapamilya stars. They started with ABS-CBN in 1992. She first appeared and starred in the soap opera Mara Clara. Santos appeared in more than 15 Kapamilya TV shows—most of which are starring roles—and at least appeared in 15 Star Cinema films. She currently hosts the public service program, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan.
Vhong Navarro, on the other hand, started with a supporting role in Home Along Da Riles before doing several TV shows for the Network and emerging one of its most prized stars, while John Prats and Carlo Aquino first appeared on Ang TV. Prats now serves as one of the Network’s newest program directors, while Aquino continues to do dramas.
27 Years
Nikki Valdez first joined the sitcom Home Along Da Riles in 1993 before playing as one of the new characters in Gimik in 1999. She became one of the most in-demand character actors of ABS-CBN and remained one of its loyal homegrown stars. Currently, she is part of the cast of the afternoon series, Bagong Umaga.
25 Years
Angelica Panganiban remains today as the most senior Star Magic talent who stayed with ABS-CBN after the Network’s shutdown in 2020. She first became a Kapamilya when she played a major supporting role in the Star Cinema movie and Camille Prats-led Sarah: Ang Munting Prinsesa, and as an Ang TV mainstay in 1995. Her latest teleserye is the ongoing primetime drama, Walang Hanggang Paalam.
Martin Nievera is among the original presenters of ABS-CBN’s long-running musical variety show ASAP, which debuted on February 5, 1995. He remains one of the main presenters and performers of the show. The show has been running on-air for 25 years.
24 Years
Dominic Ochoa was among the first male stars to be groomed by ABS-CBN as matinee idols, as he started with the teen-oriented drama series, Gimik in 1996. He ultimately became a character actor and played lead roles in some ABS-CBN dramas and sitcoms. He also served as a TV presenter.
23 Years
Shaina Magdayao first appeared in the comedy series, Kaybol: Ang Bagong TV, in 1997, before playing one of the title roles on the 1999 drama series, Marinella. Also, she had memorable roles in drama series before appearing in the longest-running tv series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
Jericho Rosales first rose to fame via the Eat Bulaga! segment, Mr. Pogi. In 1997, he joined Kaybol: Ang Bagong TV, and the series, Espanza. He subsequently landed roles in major primetime dramas, including those he starred with his former screen partner, Kristine Hermosa. His last TV hit primetime drama series, Halik.
22 Years
Jodi Sta. Maria was the youngest member of her Star Magic batch when she joined the ABS-CBN Talent Agency in 1997. She was 15 then. She became one of the Network’s busiest teen stars, and appeared in various shows, including the original Pangako Sa’Yo (2000). Sta. Maria then went on to become a popular character actress, her most memorable works include the 2012 hit Be Careful with My Heart and the 2015 reboot of Pangako Sa’Yo, playing lead roles.
18 Years
Jhong Hilario’s most memorable role as a Kapamilya is one of Its Showtime’s main hosts. He appeared on the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo-starrer, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, before getting more important roles both in films and on television. Among his most memorable performances are from TV series, Mara Clara (2010), and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (2015).
Luis Manzano, on the other hand, debuted as a Myx VJ in 2002, before joining the musical-variety show, ASAP, the year later. He ultimately became one of the most sought-after tv host in the country, having hosted a number of successful shows, including the network’s biggest franchise programs—Pilipinas Got Talent, The Voice, and I Can See Your Voice, to name a few.
17 Years
Today, she’s hailed as the Teen Queen and one of ABS-CBN’s most prized young stars, Kathryn Bernardo started as a child star in the 2003 primetime series, It Might Be You. In 2005, she joined the kiddie gag show, Goin Bulilit. As a teen star, she headlined her first major title role on the 2010 incarnation Mara Clara, the series that once catapulted Judy Ann Santos to stardom. Bernardo’s massive success further exploded when she teamed up with her current on-screen and real-life partner, Daniel Padilla, starring in a streak of hit teleseryes. As a movie star, she emerged as the only Filipina actress to star in a film that grossed more than PhP800 million in the box-office.
16 Years
Gary Valenciano joined ABS-CBN’s musical variety program, ASAP in 2004. He remains as one of its main presenters and performers of the show till this day. Erik Santos won the reality singing show, Star in A Million in 2004, before joining ASAP, while Joross Gamboa emerged as one of the grand finalists of the now-defunct artista search, Star Circle Quest.
Sarah Geronimo is undoubtedly one of the Network’s most bankable performers, who joined ASAP in 2004. As a Kapamilya, she became one of the industry’s most successful movie stars, having named as a Box-Office Queen, a couple of times. Another Viva artist, Anne Curtis, became a Kapamilya star in 2004, via the TV series, Hiram. Curtis went on to star on many top-rating ABS-CBN dramas, including Kampanerang Kuba, Maging Sino Ka Man, and Dyosa. She’s been serving as one of the main hosts of the noontime show, It’s Showtime!
Star Circle National Teen Quest winner, Erich Gonzales has been with ABS-CBN since she emerged as the talent search’s winner. She became a drama actress, with some memorable titles in her filmography, including Sana Maulit Muli, Two Wives, and Be My Lady.
15 Years
Toni Gonzaga first became a host of the news parody show Wazzup Wazzup, in 2004, before officially transferring to the Kapamilya Network in 2005, the year she began hosting Pinoy Big Brother. With ABS-CBN, Gonzaga became a successful movie actress and a recording star.
Sam Milby, first caught the public’s attention when he became a Pinoy Big Brother housemate for its pilot season. He went to star in movies and on TV shows, and the latest–the ongoing primetime drama, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.
14 Years
In 2006, among the fresh faces who enticed the public are reality search winners–Zanjoe Marudo, Yeng Constantino, Gerald Anderson, and Kim Chiu. Marudo completed his role as a housemate of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. He starred in both movies and TV series, including Dream Dad, where he played the title role. Constantino was declared the first winner of the singing search, Pinoy Dream Academy, which catapulted her into the world of recording with enormous success. She currently sits as one of the Punong Hurados of the singing competition, Tawag Ng Tanghalan.
Gerald Anderson placed third in the first season of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition, paving his way into the world of acting. He starred in a string of successful dramas–the latest is the military-drama, A Soldier’s Heart.
Kim Chiu was Anderson’s co-housemate, who emerged as the season’s big winner of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition. Now, she’s considered one of ABS-CBN’s premiere stars. Chiu claimed massive successes in movies, television, endorsements, and recording. She now serves as one of the hosts of the noontime show, It’s Showtime! and the current season of Pinoy Big Brother.
13 Years
Angel Locsin’s transfer to ABS-CBN in 2007 was among that year’s biggest entertainment headlines. It can be recalled that Locsin was practically enjoying her status as GMA-7’s Primetime Queen when news of her leaving the Kapuso network broke out. As a Kapamilya, she made her historic debut on the action-fantasy series, Lobo, and was paired with Piolo Pascual. She also became a Box-Office star through the success of her many Star Cinema movies, including In the Name of Love, Unofficially Yours, and One More Try. She also had subsequent television hits, including Only You, Imortal, The Legal Wife, and The General’s Daughter. Locsin currently hosts the public service show, Iba Yan!
Vice Ganda, on the other hand, started as a freelance comedian, before signing up with ABS-CBN in the same year. His biggest TV project is being the lead host of the now 11-year old, It’s Showtime!--where he spent most of his years as a Kapamilya. Through movie collaborations with Star Cinema and Viva Films, he scored several record-breaking box-office hits, including Praybeyt Benjamin, Beautie and the Bestie, Fantastica, and The Super Parental Guardians.
12 Years
The religious-themed drama series, May Bukas Pa, catapulted child star Zaijian Jaranilla into stardom. Today, as a teenager, Jaranilla starred in movies and television–the latest is the digitally-released film Boyette: Not A Girl Yet.
Robi Domingo first came to prominence in 2008, through the second season of the teen edition of Pinoy Big Brother, where he emerged as one of the Big Four housemates. He later signed up for a streak of television engagements, including some hosting stints, including being a Myx VJ in 2014. In 2020, he hosted the revival of the classic Pinoy game show, Game KNB? His fellow housemate, Ejay Falcon, was luckier, as he ended up winning that season. Falcon soon embarked on starring in many TV series, including Tanging Yaman, Mundo Man ay Magunaw, and Sandugo.
Enrique Gil started in a couple of small roles as a Kapamilya, but ultimately went on to become one of the Network’s biggest stars. Alongside, on-screen partner Liza Soberano, he starred in various Kapamilya programs including primetime series, Forevermore, Dolce Amore, and Make It With You. The couple also scored major Box-Office hits, making Gil a certified movie star.
Coco Martin, who would soon become the Philippine Primetime King, began as a Kapamilya with an MMK episode and an antagonist role in the afternoon series, Ligaw na Bulaklak. He ultimately became one of the Network’s most important stars, headlining a nearly-uninterrupted streak of top-rating dramas, including Tayong Dalawa, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Juan de la Cruz, and the now the longest-running primetime action-drama in the country, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
Karylle was enjoying her prime as a Kapuso artist when she suddenly transferred to ABS-CBN in 2008. She appeared in a couple of TV series, including I Love Betty La Fea and Dahil May Isang Ikaw. She’s been hosting the noontime show, It’s Showtime! since 2010.
11 Years
Melai Cantiveros’ humble beginnings trace back to her selection as one of PBB: Double Up’s housemates, and her eventual winning of that season. Her victory paved way for her success on television and in movies. Among her most memorable tv shows, are Melason in Love, Impostor, Mana Po, and We Will Survive! She had her first starring role in movies via the comedy film, Pureza: Queen of the Riles. She currently hosts the morning talk show, Magandang Buhay.
10 Years
Among the Kapamilya stars who’ve been with ABS-CBN for a decade are Ryan Bang, Andrea Brillantes, JM de Guzman, Joseph Marco, and phenomenal Box-Office King, Daniel Padilla. Ryan Bang first emerged as one of the top placers of the reality search, Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010. He became one of the judges of the noontime show, It’s Showtime! that soon picked him to become one of its main hosts. He made appearances in both television and film and was also given recording stints by Star Music.
Social media star, Andrea Brillantes, started as a child star on ABS-CBN’s via the kiddie gag-show, Goin’ Bulilit. She landed her title role in 2013 via the hit TV drama, Annaliza. In 2018, she was catapulted into stardom by the phenomenal afternoon drama Kadenang Ginto, from which her massively popular teen group, The Gold Squad, is formed. Set to top-bill an inspirational drama, Huwag Kang Mangamba in 2021.
JM de Guzman debuted in acting via the defunct kiddie gag-show, Ang TV 2 in 2001, but he took an eight-year hiatus before going back to ABS-CBN in 2010. Among his most remarkable TV series are–Angelito: Batang Ama, All of Me, and Pamilya Ko. He is set to return with the political- drama, Init Sa Magdamag, which will hit the airwaves in 2021.
Joseph Marco first started with GMA Network before moving to ABS-CBN in 2010. Among his remarkable projects as Kapamilya are Sabel, Pure Love, Wild Flower, and Los Bastardos. He is currently part of the main cast in the TV hit series’ book two, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.
Former Teen King and now, the King of Hearts, Daniel Padilla, first played a minor role on the teen-oriented show, Gimik 2010. A year later, he first landed a lead role via Growing Up, a weekly series, where he first worked with his long-time on-screen partner and now real-life sweetheart, Kathryn Bernardo. Their tandem propelled them both to phenomenal stardom, starring on top-rating TV shows like Princess and I, Got To Believe, Pangako Sa’Yo, and La Luna Sangrre, and in Box-Office Record-Breaking Movie of 2018, the mega-hit, The Hows of Us. Padilla is set to reunite with Bernardo on television, this 2021.
