No Nov merger for GMA 7, TV5

CEBU, Philippines - As expected, the rumored merger of GMA 7 and TV5 was the very first question tossed to Atty. Felipe Gozon, Chairman and CEO of the Kapuso network when he met with the members of the entertainment press last Monday over lunch at the executive lounge of GMA 7.

Atty. Gozon admitted there were several companies interested to buy GMA 7 and one of them is the company owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, who owns TV 5. As early as 2002, Atty. Gozon said they signed up a Memorandum of Agreement with Media Quest, owned by Mr. Pangilinan.

He didn’t say how much money was involved in the said deal but Atty. Gozon said it was a fraction of what they think the company was now worth. For reasons beyond the control of Mr. Pangilinan, the deal didn’t materialize. “I understand the predicament of Mr. Pangilinan that time that was why I didn’t say anything about it. I just allowed them to back out,” he said.

But Mr. Pangilinan did not lose interest in trying to buy GMA. He had talks with Atty. Gozon but nothing was formalized. They have talked several times but the deal with regarding the alleged selling and buying have yet to be discussed. They have yet to come into an agreement as to what is the most suitable prize for a company like GMA 7.

He also said there is no truth to the supposed merger of GMA 7 and TV5 that is going to happen in November. Mr. Pangilinan was supposed to have said that at the launch of TV5 in San Francisco and was reported by Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star (who happens to be a talent of GMA 7 as one of the hosts of Startalk).

Although Mr. Pangilinan has denied it, the rumors continue to persist. “In fairness to Manny, without us asking for it, he sent us a text message to the effect saying that all he said was there were talks about him acquiring which had been happening even before and that he told the group to support also GMA 7. And I can understand that because DISH is the competitor of Direct TV. DISH does not carry TFC. But it carries in the bundle TV5 and GMA 7,” said Atty. Gozon.

“The context of his statement to also support GMA 7 had something to do with DISH carrying TV5. And I can see the point because Channel 7 is more popular than TV5 even abroad so maybe he wants to ride on the coattails of GMA 7 in the US. That was the grand launch of TV 5 in the US. He said he never mentioned anything about a merger or November or anything of that sort. And when we were asked by the local press about it, why are we being asked if we did not originate the statement? Anything I say will not be authoritative. You have to ask the person from whom the alleged statement came from. So that was it. And I also think he also sent a message to the local press via Mr. Rey Espinosa..”

The bottomline, according to Atty. Gozon, he and Mr. Pangilinan are talking but there was no agreement reached. But he is not closing the door. “One of these days, he might strike the right price,” said Atty. Gozon.

When asked what is the right price for GMA 7, he said, “I don’t have to tell you because he might know. It might be less than what he is willing to offer,” Atty. Gozon said.

GMA also announced its forthcoming shows for the second quarter of the year. These are “Hindi Ka Na Mag-Iisa,” featuring Jennylyn Mercado and Sid Lucero, “Together Forever” starring Elmo Magalona and Julie Ann San Jose, “Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break” with Dingdong Dantes as Gala Presenter and Love.Life, the talk show of Mrs. Jinkee Pacquiao.

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Opening today in theaters nationwide is the movie “Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme ” which topbills Asian Best Actress People’s Choice awardee Eugene Domingo in the twin roles of Kimmy and Dora.

Directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal, the first installment of the Kimmy Dora film three years ago was a huge success that is why the producers, actor Piolo Pascual and talent manager Erick Raymundo, decided to do a sequel. With award-winning writer Chris Martinez writing the script, Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme hopes to duplicate if not surpass the success of its predecessor.

According to Eugene, they gave their best effort to make “Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme ” an exciting viewing fare that the audience would love. They even went on location in the snowy mountains of Korea for added effect.

If there is one thing that Uge ( Eugene’s pet name) wants to happen is for the movie to make money. “I hope that I could be a box-office queen if this movie makes good and I am hoping that my wish would come true,” said Uge. (FREEMAN)