CEBU, Philippines - With a star-studded lineup and stunning show, GMA celebrated its 60th year in the broadcast industry with a mega-budget, visually-rich but still heartfelt treat for its televiewers.
The FREEMAN joined the group of regional press invited to watch the live taping of the anniversary TV special entitled, “GMA at 60, The Heart of Television,” last June 18 at the Araneta Coliseum to be aired tonight. A veritable musical extravaganza, the TV special showcased 12 production numbers starring its biggest stars and homegrown talents, which were interspersed with nostalgia-laced, audio-visual storytelling and set amid some boundary-breaking sets, lighting and props.
It was a musical homage (headlined by Regine Velasquez) to the network’s storied past—beginning from its inception in 1950 to its evolution towards becoming one of the country’s largest media conglomerates today—that kicked off the show.
The Kili TV Group came in next, delivering a theatrical showdown courtesy of the famous faces of GMA’s well-loved sitcoms and comedy programs, such as Ogie Alcasid, Michael V and the cast of the more than decade-old “Bubble Gang,” the longest-running gag show on Philippine television.
The Drama Group—the team responsible for churning out primetime hits—then presented the unforgettable “bidas” and “contrabidas” of the Telebabad and Sinenovela Block, who emerged onstage in character.
GMA News and Public Affairs Team, which was represented by news anchor Mike Enriquez, had its ample share at the spotlight via a lengthy video presentation, which was capped with the rendition of its theme “Panata” by its artist Sugarfree, together with Kuh Ledesma.
Various technological advancements and infrastructures that the Kapuso network has so far acquired and utilized were also thoroughly highlighted during the special.
Here are some of the top moments at the 60th anniversary of GMA Network (some of which you might not see in tonight’s airing, right after Kap’s Amazing Stories):
1. Comic genius Michael V pulled off another of his impersonation tricks and rendered an operatic number in full (female) regalia. He did a duet of “O Sole Mio,” a Neapolitan song popularized by Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, with his constant comedy partner Ogie Alcasid.
2. The vocal face-off between “Party Pilipinas” regulars Francheska Farr, Jude Matthew Servilla, Julia Ann San Jose, and La Diva trio, which had them singing some of the network’s famous drama themes, was made more eye-popping with the spectacular light show and edgy costumes.
3. The dramatic entrance of “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez for the opening number was upstaged by Jennylyn Mercado and Glaiza de Castro who came out singing from giant disco balls that were lowered down from the coliseum’s ceiling.
4. In true diva fashion, Ms. Kuh Ledesma had many costume changes while singing “Panata” with the rock band Sugarfree.
5. “Trudis Liit” star Jillian Ward forgot her spiel in a Q&A with Dingdong Dantes, so much so that Dingdong and the audience tried to finish the sentence for her. But the adorable child star stuck to her script, and after several minutes—to the amused relief of the audience and the TV execs in the front row—she finally finished her line with a big smile on her face.
6. “Party Pilipinas” resident dancers Yassi and Rocco Nacino did a jaw-dropping manga-inspired number complete with glow-in-the-dark gear and “moonwalking” stunts on makeshift walls.
7. Real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes had a very intimate, interpretative aerial dance number choreographed by Douglas Nierras, which will surely further spike up the interest in their upcoming teleserye, the remake of the Korean drama, “Endless Love.”
8. Also shown were clips of past GMA shows that shaped and shook the landscape of Philippine TV like German ‘Kuya Germs’ Moreno’s “That’s Entertainment” in the ‘80s and as well as this decade’s high-flying fantaseryes like “Mulawin,” “Darna,” “Majika,” which would remind viewers how once upon a time in the Kapuso network, a relative unknown named Angel Locsin was given a huge break, turned into a star, and got treated as its superstar only to transfer to the competition.
9. One sidelight that captured the unbridled attention of the media covering the show was the close encounter of GMA entertainment big boss Wilma Galvante and showbiz mom cum talent manager Annabelle Rama, who had a very public falling-out. Rama was accompanied to the show by her two grandchildren, Venice and Lorin, daughters of Ruffa Gutierrez.
10. In between takes, the fans clubs present were also busy cheering for their idols. The loudest cheers came from the fans club of this year’s “StarStruck” female winner Sarah Lahbati, “Emir” the musical movie’s lead actress Francheska Farr, and of course, the perennial reel and real-life couple, Marian and Dingdong.
11. The popular Korean boy band Beast made a surprise appearance, much to the delight of the teenagers and Kpop fans in the audience. They were to have a concert the next day at the Araneta, and were reportedly paid very handsomely to perform their hit song “Shock” at the TV special to stress the network’s history of bringing only the highest-rated Koreanovelas to Philippine TV.