Looking for career growth, lack of project proposals, and planning to work with their besties in a film without any conflict are just some of the reasons why celebrities have decided to transfer networks.
LionhearTV listed down the actors and actresses (in no particular order) who transferred from one TV station (ABS-CBN, GMA Network and TV5) to another.
1. Dolphy
The late King of Comedy Dolphy transferred to TV5 in 2010. According to reports, Dolphy said he was waiting for a job for three years as he still wanted to work. Although he loves ABS-CBN, he wanted to move on. Dolphy promised that whenever ABS-CBN needed him, he will “be here.”
2. Willie Revillame
ABS-CBN’s Wowowee hosted by Willie Revillame became an instant hit against its rival Kapuso noontime show Eat Bulaga. In 2010, ABS-CBN decided to end the airing of Wowowee which led Willie to an indefinite hiatus before ending his contract.
Three months after his absence, Willie turned to TV5 with his team. ABS-CBN filed a copyright infringement suit against Willie, Wil Productions, Inc. and TV5 for allegedly copying Wowowee with his new show, Willing Willie (later renamed Wil Time Bigtime).
After the cancellation of Wil Time Bigtime, Willie’s new show Wowowillie premiered in January 2013 but was later canceled in October of the same year due to poor ratings. In 2015, Willie left TV5 and transferred to GMA Network where he launched Wowowin.
3. Angel Locsin
Angel Locsin had iconic TV projects and roles in GMA Network since 2002. She became an icon for fantasy series such as Mulawin, Darna, Majika, and Asian Treasures. In 2008, Angel transferred to ABS-CBN where she continued to have more projects in all genres.
4. Ai-Ai delas Alas
After two decades of being a Kapamilya star, Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas left ABS-CBN. She went back to GMA Network where she currently hosts Sunday PinaSaya. She also became one of the judges of the singing contest, The Clash.
5. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid recently transferred to ABS-CBN after two decades with GMA Network. She signed a contract with ABS-CBN on October 17, 2018, Wednesday. After months of speculations, ABS-CBN welcomed Regine with a grand media press conference, a red carpet reception, and live reporting.
Kapamilya employees went down from their offices to personally welcome Regine to the network. Regine became a judge on Search for the Idol Philippines. She sang the theme song for The General’s Daughter and ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID. She regularly performs on ASAP.
6. Sharon Cuneta
Megastar Sharon Cuneta transferred to TV5 when it revitalized itself. After 23 years at ABS-CBN, Sharon signed a five-year contract with the Kapatid network. Only after three years, Sharon pre-terminated her contract with TV5 and went back home to ABS-CBN.
7. Claudine Barretto
Claudine Barretto was considered one of the biggest talents of Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent management agency. In 2009, Claudine had a rift with other Star Magic talents which led her to leave her home network and transfer to GMA.
8. John Estrada
John Estrada has been an actor and talent of ABS-CBN since 1991. He went from a kontrabida of a drama series to a comedian in a sitcom and TV host of a noontime show. John and The Good Son co-star Mylene Dizon were involved in an issue.
After the said issue, he left ABS-CBN and transferred to GMA Network where he gave life to Loki in Victor Magtanggol.
9. Heart Evangelista
After being on and off the scene for three years in ABS-CBN, Heart Evangelista transferred to GMA Network in 2008. According to some reports, Heart wanted a fresh start from all the issues she experienced that year. The issues include her relationship with Jericho Rosales and a fight with her parents.
Heart’s former manager, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, was upset at her decision and claimed to feel degraded by the actress’ move. Heart went on to have a lot of projects as a Kapuso star.
10. Derek Ramsay
In 2012, Derek Ramsay transferred from ABS-CBN to TV5. ABS-CBN released a statement where it said that they exerted efforts to make the actor stay a Kapamilya.
The statement also said, “TV5, however, offered him an amount that was difficult for him to refuse.”
In 2014, Derek had a movie with John Estrada and Cristine Reyes, Trophy Wife. John and Cristine were contract stars of ABS-CBN which made it possible for them to promote the movie on the network.
They, however, were allegedly prohibited from mentioning Derek’s name as a member of the cast. At a press conference, Derek expressed his dismay at being banned at the network.
11. Kris Aquino
After 22 years as one of ABS-CBN’s top stars, Queen of All Media Kris Aquino decided to leave and make a TV project with APT Entertainment, Inc. which is associated with GMA Network.
In September 2016, Kris revealed that she was set to renew her contract with ABS-CBN in February that year.
The contract signing was postponed due to death threats which she wanted to take seriously and health issues she wanted to recover from. Kris and the corporation had an agreement that they would talk again after some rest. They spoke in July that year where there was no definite show and no assured time frame of her return on-air.
In 2017, Kris hosted her own Kapuso show, Trip ni Kris. She later had guest appearances on the network’s shows such as Eat Bulaga and Vampire ang Daddy Ko.
12. Karylle
Karylle’s network transfer was one of the most controversial topics in 2008. Fans speculated that her decision to leave GMA Network and transfer to ABS-CBN was because of her break-up with Dingdong Dantes who was always paired up with his now-wife, Marian Rivera. Karylle and Dingdong were in a relationship for three years which ended abruptly.
13. Atom Araullo
Atom Araullo became a host of ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda. He had other shows as a news reporter such as: Red Alert, TV Patrol, Bandila, and ANC. After 12 years, Atom decided to transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA Network in 2017. He became a news anchor in 24 Oras and had his own shows, The Atom Araullo Specials and Adulting with Atom Araullo.
14. Jolina Magdangal
Jolina Magdangal was a teen idol in the late ’90s and early 2000s. She risked her career to explore something new. In 2002, she decided to leave her home network, ABS-CBN, to transfer to its rival GMA Network.
Jolina, however, had her fame vanish when she became a Kapuso. Although she remained a Kapuso for twelve years, Jolina came back home in 2014. Her grand comeback made way for her to become a regular host of the morning show,Magandang Buhay.
15. Iza Calzado
Grief and pain became Iza Calzado’s fuel to leave GMA Network. Her father, Lito Calzado, died and her relationship with Atticus King came to an end in 2011.
She closed a chapter in her life with a network transfer to ABS-CBN. She became a host of The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition: Doubles. Then, Iza starred in Hawak Kamay, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, A Love to Last, and Ngayon at Kailanman.
16. Richard Gutierrez
Richard Gutierrez became part of GMA Network’s roster of leading men. He started his career in GMA Network in 1999. He starred in fantasy and action series such as Mulawin, Sugo, Captain Barbell, Kamandag, Codename: Asero and Zorro.
In 2016, Richard had a project in TV5 where he became Ang Panday’s Flavio. In 2017, Richard received an offer from ABS-CBN which he accepted saying, “I’ll be stupid to refuse.”
17. Christian Bautista
Christian Bautista was a finalist of Star in a Million, an ABS-CBN talent search reality show. In 2013, Christian signed a three-year guaranteed contract with GMA Network, which he renewed in April 2018.
He became a part of the Sunday noontime variety show, Party Pilipinas. He, then, starred in Kapuso drama series such as Strawberry Lane, My Mother’s Secret, Encantadia, My Love from the Star and now Pamilya Roces.
18. Ryza Cenon
After working in GMA network for more than a decade, Ryza Cenon transferred to ABS-CBN last April 12, 2018. Ryza stated that transferring to ABS-CBN would enable her to work with some of the best actors in the entertainment industry and hopefully learn from them.
Ryza also would like to work with her close friends like Angelica Panganiban and Angel Locsin in a project. She had a role in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, and recently worked with Angel’s The General’s Daughter as Jessica “Jessie” De Leon, the adopted daughter of Albert Martinez and Eula Valdez.
19. Aljur Abrenica
Aljur Abrenica was a product of the Kapuso reality talent show, StarStruck, in 2006. He won as Ultimate Hunk and was groomed to be a versatile performer. After 11 years, Aljur became a certified Kapamilya. He starred in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Asintado. He currently stars in Sandugo.
20. Jason Abalos
Jason Abalos was built up by ABS-CBN where he was a contestant in Star Circle Quest 2004. He became one of the network’s leading men. After 13 years, Jason decided to leave ABS-CBN and transfer to GMA Network in 2017. He later starred in The One That Got Away and in Asawa Ko Karibal Ko.
21. Rayver Cruz
Rayver Cruz was with ABS-CBN for eighteen years where he was one of the network’s reliable artists. In September 2018, he made a year-long decision to transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA Network for a fresh new start. He starred in Asawa Ko Karibal Ko with fellow former Kapamilya Jason Abalos. He now stars in Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Buhay Ko with another former ABS-CBN star, Megan Young.
22. Ogie Alcasid
Ogie Alcasid spent nearly two decades with GMA Network. He found his new home in TV5 where he only stayed for three years. He returned to ABS-CBN where he jump-started his showbiz career 25 years ago.
23. Jaya
Musical variety shows like SOP, Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars‘ demise made Kapuso singers and performers to stop having a platform on television that would usually give them regular exposure. Jaya realized this and was shaken when she found out that Sunday All Stars was bowing out to make way for Sunday PinaSaya, a live comedy program.
At a press conference in 2016, Jaya revealed that she didn’t just lose her job she felt like she lost her “sense of direction.” Because of the unexpected turn of events, Jaya decided to leave GMA Network and sign with Cornerstone Talents where she was able to have projects in ABS-CBN. She became a judge in It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan and performed on ASAP.
24. Kiray Celis
She was discovered in ABS-CBN’s defunct noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan in 1999, Kiray signed a contract to GMA network last December 20, 2018, saying, “I deserve this!”
GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President for Talent Imaging and Marketing Simoun Ferrer praised Kiray for being a versatile actress.
