Kapamilya stars, directors share thoughts on first anniversary of ABS-CBN franchise non-renewal
A year after the House of Representatives voted on July 10, 2020 denying ABS-CBN’s 25-year broadcast franchise application, Kapamilya employees could still feel the network’s pain of losing its bid to air the television’s programs and shows.
During the virtual media conference for Maalaala Mo Kaya’s (MMK) July episodes Loving to Care and My Two Mothers, stars and directors for the show shared their thoughts a year after the decision took place.
“Masakit pa din kahit one year na siya. But it’s not na iniinda mo pa ‘yung pain. Because what you gotta do is just move on. Show them that you are still standing. You’re doing this not just for yourself but for everybody. Who’s still there and who still believe in us. This is not just a job. This is not just a company that you work for. This is a family and you are there for your family and I am here for my family. And I’m still here. And I will be here for my family,” said Mae Czarina Cruz-Alviar, the director for My Two Mothers episode.
She added that that’s one motivation that keeps them going in spite of the difficulty of filming amid the threat of COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s because you are also doing this to survive not just for yourself but for everybody. Also, for the industry na rin because this is really tough on all of us.”
Director Jerry Sineneng for Loving to Care episode echoed what direk Mae said, “Hindi nawawala yung sakit lalo na palapit na ‘yung anniversary.” But he was still thankful that the network survived despite the absence of the franchise.
“Hindi nila napatay ang ABS-CBN. Hindi napatay ng ilang makapangyarihan ang ABS-CBN. Siguro dahil we are a family. We have formed a strong family. Na kahit ganyan na ‘yung pagsubok naghawak-kamay, nagkapit-kapit at ‘di ba kahit papano natawid ang isang buong taon. Hindi lang basta naitawid. Naitawid naman siya ng matagumpay sa kabila ng kawalan ng prangkisa,” which goes to show that, “ang inaapi ay inaalalayan ng Diyos,” shared direk Jerry.
Iza Calzado, who plays a mother with schizophrenia in MMK’s episode, commended ABS-CBN’s efforts. “Of course, surviving but I’d like to think that we are thriving, really. Because despite the loss of the franchise, there have been talks about shows. I mean, andami pa rin and I have to commend and congratulate the network, everybody I know that is working really hard to make this possible.”
She was amazed by how the media giant handled the challenge that has become their strength later on. “How amazed I am of how we have managed to turn our struggle and turn it into our strength. It has made us stronger. It has united all of us. Pero gaya ng nasabi ni direk Mae, para sa industriya talaga itong ginagawa natin. It has been a tough more than one year for everybody but I guess, moreso, for ABS-CBN. I think it is very meaningful that we are doing this for our Kapamilya. So thank you for this opportunity,” said the award-winning actress.
Veteran actress Shamaine Buencamino (as the second mother-teacher in MMK’s My Two Mothers), for her part, added that she is proud of ABS-CBN because “considering what they went through, they still do not cut corners when it comes to being safe in the production.”
“’Yung standard operating procedure nila talagang nakaka-proud na considering there’s not a lot of ads now, and they’re not as financially robust like before, hindi pa rin sila nagtitipid when it comes to the safety and health of their people,” she continued.
Young stars Heaven Peralejo and Zaijian Jaranilla also praised ABS-CBN.
“All I can say is, I will be loyal to my family,” stated Heaven.
“Dito na ko lumaki sa ABS-CBN, dito na ko nakilala at nagkaisip. So, ‘nung nangyari po ‘yun (non-renewal of franchise), siyempre malungkot kasi lahat ng artists, mga directors, lahat na nagta-trabaho sa ABS, mga loyal din na supporters naapektuhan,” said Zaijian.
The former child star was also grateful that the media company survived the odds. “Pero sobrang happy ako kasi kahit papano, naka-survive pa rin tayo. Nakakagawa pa rin tayo ng mga telerserye na magaganda para maka-inspire at i-present sa mga tao sa kabila ng lahat.”
Heaven played the role of a young girl who was blessed with two mothers while Zaijian is a Nursing student, who along with father played by Nonie Buencamino, will their best to fight despite losing their loved ones due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Karen Reyes played the character of Dideng, Zaijian’s sister in Loving to Care episode, who also had CKD.
The MMK cast members were also asked why they chose to stay as Kapamilya and they proudly said that they are happy and contented with where they are right now.
“Why am I here? This is where God put me. You know. At this point in my life, I’m not looking for change. I’m not looking to shake things up in my life. I’m at peace with where I’m at,” shared Iza.
The actress likewise said that she is quite satisfied with her career and from other facets of her life as well. She continued, “And why am I still a Kapamilya? Honestly, the past year seeing how the network has really stood firmly with everything that’s been our, their way, it made me respect the network and everybody in it even more.”
She also took pride in being part of Ang sa Iyo ay Akin and MMK. “My intuition says stay here and it might not be the same for others but this is my reality. This is where I’m at and I’m very proud to be still a Kapamilya.”
“Kung nasaan po yung trabaho, nandun po ako. Kasi hindi naman po ako contract actor. Isa po akong character actor,” said Shamaine.
Zaijian, who grew up with ABS-CBN as an actor, shared how his life has improved because of the opportunities given by the network. “Parang utang na loob ko rin po ‘yun sa kanila. Andami na rin nilang nabigay sa akin. Tulad ng makatulong ako sa pamilya ko. Makilala ako ng ibang tao at willing naman ako na dito na mag-stay. Hindi ako lumipat sa kung saan man. I’m so happy sa ABS-CBN kahit papano po.”
Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Heaven who started her career with ABS-CBN expressed her loyalty, “I will always be a Kapamilya. Naging pamilya na rin kasi sila sakin eh and masaya ako dito kaya tulungan lang din.”
(MMK’s Loving to Care Part 2 and My Two Mothers will be streamed on July 10 and July 24 respectively, 8:30 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, TFC and A2Z Channel 11.)
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