ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak revealed the company’s plans for big stars like Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Liza Soberano, and Enrique Gil.
With the network’s shutdown, several talents from the network are now leaving to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“Our goal is to make ABS-CBN the home of best creative, performing, production, and journalistic talent. Unfortunately, we were not able to retain all the great talent that we used to work with because of the loss of our franchise,” Katigbak said in a recent press briefing.
Katigbak assured that popular loveteams like Kathniel and Lizquen would be given big projects.
He stated, “Our big stars have made major sacrifices to stay with the network even if the reach of our viewership is not what it used to be. We’re working very hard to make sure that they are given opportunities.”
What are ABS-CBN’s plans for big stars like #LizQuen and #KathNiel? Is ABS more focused on building up careers of upcoming stars than on established ones?
Media group CEO Carlo Katigbak responds: pic.twitter.com/3perUS4AJO
— Lala Rimando (@lalarimando) July 29, 2021
“We understand that those we have not been able to give work to have had to look for livelihood elsewhere. But we still keep the hope that we will be able to one day take back the people we were forced to let go of, but still want to work with ABS-CBN,” he added.
Meanwhile, Katigbak also clarified that they are not playing favorites as they are playing fair in giving projects to their talents, whether they are big stars or newbies.
“For us, it is never going to be a choice between established names and upcoming stars. We are committed to each and every individual that has chosen to stay with the company, especially in these difficult times,” he clarified.
The KathNiel tandem earlier teased fans that they will star in an upcoming series this year.
The small screen project is from the concept of Juan Miguel Severo, a writer and actor. He penned the acclaimed film Hintayan Ng Langit (2018) and the hit BL series Gaya Sa Pelikula (2020).
“Una, excited kami sa teleserye na gagawin, kasi yung concept nun, nanggaling kay Gege (Severo). So, it’s something na gusto namin ni DJ talaga kaya medyo nadelay dahil inaayos pa yung script. We’re happy because we’re working on a project na gusto namin yung concept,” Kathryn said.
Based on the trailer released by ABS-CBN, the teleserye will be “a romantic series about experiencing timeless love.”
Lizquen, on the other hand, is also set to return on screen with a new series.
Liza and Enrique were last seen in the primetime romance series Make It With You as Billie and Gabo.
Liza’s manager Ogie Diaz confirmed this on Facebook.
“Alam na po ito ng lahat ng cast, lalo na ng LizQuen. Alam kong nabitin kayo sa love story nina Billie at Gabo, kaya hintayin na lamang po ang pagbabalik ng love team sa isa pang bagong teleserye. Salamat po, mga Kapamilya!” he said.
After its franchise expired, ABS-CBN signed off on May 2020 and was forced to shut down by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The company could not resume its radio and television broadcasting operations since then, causing them to struggle financially.
In the light of this, the network focused on reducing costs and improving profitability to survive.
Despite this, ABS-CBN continues producing and distributing quality content via active channels, including The Filipino Channel (TFC) and ABS CBN News Channel (ANC).
