GMA Network Announces Its Lineup Of New Shows For 2014

THE KAPUSO NETWORK today is being run by what’s known as the Powerful Women of GMA headed by GMA top execs Lilybeth Rasonable and Marivin Arayata. They called a special presscon to announce their new shows for 2014, led by “The Borrowed Wife” on January 20. A story of love and obsession, it stars Camille Prats as the wife of Rafael Rosell. Rafael is seduced by Pauleen Luna and Camille falls into the hands of TJ Trinidad, a doctor who changes her face when she has amnesia and makes her believe he is her husband. Also premiering on January 20 is the new Koreanovela, “Tale of Arang”, about the daughter of a magistrate who is brutally killed and returns as a ghost to discover how she died and becomes friends with another magistrate who can talk to the dead.

On January 27, three new shows will start: “Carmela” with Marian Rivera in the title role and Alden Richards as leading man, supported by Agot Isidro, Raymong Bagatsing, Jennica Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Roi Vinzon, Freddie Webb, Krystal Reyes, Ana Feleo and Laurice Guillen, directed by Dominic Zapata.

“Rhodora X” stars Jennylyn Mercado as a woman with multiple personalities, with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras, Rachelle Ann Go (before she leaves for London in March), Gardo Versoza, Glydel Mercado, Irma Adlawan, Frank Magalona and Lollie Mara, helmed by Albert Langitan.

“Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw” is a love story with Kristoffer Martin, Kim Rodriguez, Joyce Ching, introducing new actor Pythos Ramirez, with Janno Gibbs, Gabby Eigenmann, Jessa Zaragoza, G Toengi, Marciel Morales, Neil Ryan Sese, Joey Marquez, directed by Joyce Bernal.

In February, Max Collins is launched to stardom in “Innamorata”, with Luis Alandy, Jackie Rice, Dion Ignacio, Gwen Zamora, Rita Avila and Michael de Mesa, helmed by Don Michael Perez. Then Louise de los Reyes gets to play dual roles in “Kambal Sirena”, with Aljur Abrenica, Mike Tan, Rich Asuncion, Pancho Magno, Winwyn Marquez, Lotlot de Leon, Nova Villa, Tessie Tomas, Polo Ravales, Mickey Ferriols, Angelika de la Cruz, Gladys Reyes and Chanda Romero, helmed by Dondon Santos.

Asked if it’s true that there’s a negotiation for GMA to be sold to Manny Pangilinan, Ms. Rasonable says they’re not aware of any details to such a negotiation.

“Wala talaga kaming alam diyan,” she adds. “Perhaps you can ask FLG (Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, their boss) as he always gives a straight answer. Pero kami, we really don't know. We have heard about that twice. But we have always been given the confidence that we are taken care of, that nothing will happen to us for as long as we do our jobs well.”

How about the talks that Kris Aquino was poised to take over? “She denied it na naman, di ba? Hindi talaga totoo.”

Why did they allow themselves to run out of primetime soaps after “Genesis” and “Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas” ended and replaced it with Tagalized movies? “The movies are rating well. We want to give time to our creative people para pagandahin talaga ang bagong shows namin. Ayan nga, it has created anticipation for our new shows at sunod-sunod na bago’t magagandang shows ang mapapanood nila this month. Hindi na ito yung traditional shows na may nawalang nanay o anak at may sampalan dito, sampalan diyan. Abangan nyo as we’re really offering something new.”

How come they didn’t give a follow up project right away to the stars of their biggest hit last year: Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez of “My Husband’s Lover”? “For a while kasi, we thought of doing a Book 2 but we decided to just give other shows for the cast and we’re now preparing another risqué project na similar ang impact sa ‘MHL’, but no longer just a Book 2.”