Beyond 75: GMA personalities on their proudest Kapuso moment

(Second of two parts)

Our celebration of GMA Network’s 75th anniversary continues. Previously, the award-winning news and public affairs personalities shared the moments that made them proudest as Kapuso journalists. This time around, some of our brightest stars share their proudest Kapuso moments:

Julie Anne San Jose: “When I signed with GMA, I remember I was, I think 13 or so, so batang GMA ako. And ever since talagang sobrang grateful ako sa lahat ng opportunities na binigay sa akin ng GMA. In that sense, I’ve grown as an artist. And I always find different ways to be when it comes to my craft. Ito ‘yung parang naging safe space ko to discover myself.”

Rayver Cruz: “Proudest Kapuso moment ko, every time na magsa-sign ako with GMA. Kasi for me, ibig sabihin blessed ako na lagi akong binibigyan ng magagandang proyekto ng GMA and nagtitiwala sila sa akin. So, for me, every time na may renewal or contract signing, ‘yun yung proudest Kapuso moment.”

Barbie Forteza: “Off the top of my head, it’s this one —“P77” — so far. It’s a dream of mine to do a project like this for a film, and it’s my first-ever solo film. It’s mainstream, and now it will be distributed by Warner Bros. So, napakaraming dream come true sa isang proyekto.”

Ruru Madrid: “Siguro nung nasa entablado ako nung pinarangalan ako bilang Best Supporting Actor sa MMFF kasi parang bumalik po sa akin kung saan ako nagsimula at malaking factor po doon ang GMA. Sabi ko nga doon sa speech ko, ang GMA po ang unang naniwala po sa kakayanan ko nung mga panahong walang naniniwala sa akin. Noong mga panahong maraming nag-da-doubt sa akin, ang GMA po ang pinakaunang nagbigay ng tiwala nila. ‘Yun ‘yung proudest moment ko as a Kapuso.”

Bianca Umali: “My proudest moment as a Kapuso would be that I am still here with my mother network. This is my 16th year with GMA. And every year, I become prouder. But this year’s different because I’m launching ‘Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.’ And it gives me pride to be part of it.”

Rhian Ramos: “It was probably when I won acting awards (for) a Kapuso show. Si Margaret Royales in ‘Royal Blood,’ na parang ang dami-dami niyang levels and layers. And there were so many revelations throughout the show that I kept having to dig deeper and deeper. Parang, at first kasi she’s introduced as someone completely different. As the show goes along, pabago-bago siya ng character. I felt like I went through an entire lifetime just to win an award with that one show.”

Sanya Lopez: “‘Yung alam mong anak ka nila. Alam mong ‘pag Kapuso ka, hinding-hindi ka nila pababayaan, hinding-hindi ka nila iiwan. Lagi silang nandiyan sa likod mo para suportahan ka. Gano’n sila. Hindi ka basta artista, o nagtatrabaho sa Kapuso, kundi pamilya ka na.”

Christian Bautista: “So far, from the beginning ‘til now, it is being part of ‘The Clash.’ It has truly changed my life. And it’s such a blessing that we’re able to change others’ lives also.”

Gabby Concepcion: “It’s now — this moment — being part of ‘My Father’s Wife’ in GMA Afternoon Prime. As an actor, you don’t know what your future’s gonna be until your last project. So, the moment is now. That is the most exciting Kapuso moment.”

Kylie Padilla: “‘Encantadia!’ Ang dami pa rin nakakaalala sa ‘Encantadia’ 2016 namin. Si Amihan pa rin yung tawag sa akin, and in this ‘Sang’gre,’ hinahanap pa rin nila ako, so sobrang nakakataba ng puso. Actually, I didn’t realize how much of a big deal it was sa mga tao. Nitong huli na lang nung pinapanood ko ulit yung ‘Encantadia.’ Ang ganda nga nung ginawa namin, kaya pala tumatak siya.”

Gabbi Garcia: “My recent contract signing. That’s not just my proudest moment as a Kapuso but also a milestone in my life. All the bosses were present, my family was there, my friends were there. Everybody close to me was present. It marked my 11th year in the industry. GMA is my forever second home.”

Gabby Eigenmann: “My proudest moment as a Kapuso, aside from being loyal for almost 29 years, is when I did ‘Dading,’ isa sa mga project na unforgettable for me. ‘Dading,’ ‘Contessa’ and ‘Munting Heredera’ because that paved the way for me to win my very first acting award. So, madami! Actually, being a Kapuso is nakaka-proud kasi they’ve always been taking good care of me.”

Martin del Rosario: “‘Yung magbigay-serbisyo sa ating taong-bayan lalo na sa mga panahon ng mga sakuna. Yung magtulong-tulong tayo para makapag-bigay ng serbisyo. Meron din ‘yung magbigay ng relief goods tuwing may bagyo. ‘Yung makatulong sa aking kapwa.”

Kelvin Miranda: “Simula noon hanggang ngayon, lagi akong proud kaya nanatili ako sa tahanan ko — ang GMA.”

Benjamin Alves: “The ‘Beautiful Strangers’ press conference — that was a very memorable time for me because my mom and dad were there, and I was able to introduce them to my manager and to people from the entertainment industry. I think I’d been five years in showbiz before they were able to witness ‘yung press conference namin. I felt proud because I could see them watching me being proud of me.”

Mikee Quintos: “Yung may lolang biglang humawak sa akin na umiiyak sa gitna ng mall. Tapos ang tawag niya sa akin yung name ng character ko na si Myla. Character ko sa ‘Onanay’ ‘yun. Oh my gosh, nung time na ‘yun, na-realize ko na nagagawa ko ang part ko bilang Kapuso.”

Shaira Diaz: “Para sa akin ang proudest Kapuso moment ko pa rin ay ‘yung maging bahagi ng longest-running morning show — ang ‘Unang Hirit’ at siyempre, ang ‘i-Bilib’ rin. And because of these shows ay ako po ay nakakuha ng award bilang Top 1 as Makabata Star Award (Female Makabata Star 2024) sa Anak TV.”

Kyline Alcantara: “Ang proudest Kapuso moment ko ay ‘yung ni-represent ko ang Pilipinas sa Korea as the Honorary Ambassador for the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Alam naman nating lahat ang impluwensya na nabigay sa atin ng Korea. Kaya ‘yun ang proudest moment ko, representing Philippines naman sa Korea.”

Angel Guardian: “To be chosen na maging isa sa mga bagong Sang’gre, for them to see something in me na i-portray si Deia. That is something I am very proud of and also the outcome of all our hard work, disiplina, dedication — lahat ng pagod sa ‘Encantadia,’ I’m very proud to say na nakatapos kami ng ganitong palabas.”

Andre Paras: “My proudest Kapuso moment, para po talaga sa akin is, sa lahat ng mga shows na ginagawa ko, nakakapag-entertain po ako ng mga Kapuso natin. Kasi importante talaga sa akin na kung ano man yung role na binigay sa’kin o ‘yung ginaganap ko po is I do it to the fullest and to my very best. I’m always there to give it my all. Para din it’s my way of giving back to the network and sa mga loyal natin na Kapuso.”

Kaloy Tingcungco: “I think my proudest Kapuso moment for the past four years of being with this network giant was joining the ‘Unang Hirit’ family. It has been my second family for the past three years. I wouldn’t want or change it any other way. It has given me a new sense of purpose dito sa entertainment industry, and that is to be part of a bigger family that doesn’t just work on-cam, but also off-cam. We work on our friendship, our bond. Iba talaga connection namin because it’s beyond the four corners of the studio. Lahat kami pamilya talaga and friends outside of the show. I really treasure it the most.”

From pride in their work at GMA to being part of the Kapuso family, the stories shared by these stars embody their spirit of being “Isa Sa Puso ng Pilipino.”

Happy 75th anniversary, GMA!