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| A wide inside view of GMA Network's state of the art studios (Image Source: PhilStar.com) |
In 2000, GMA Network launched the GMA Studio Tours to give its stakeholders a glimpse of the world behind the doors of the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines. It was the first television network in the country to offer this kind of service to a global audience. It would eventually won an Award of Merit at the 2000 Philippine Quill Awards, the prestigious award-giving body that recognizes outstanding business communication practices.
Over the years, the GMA Studio Tours has evolved from being a go-see through the studios into an interactive classroom away from school with the help of the network's vast pool of broadcast experts. With thousands of participants signing up each year, it became more than just a gateway inside the station with a heart; thus, it became a complete learning experience. In the challenging times brought about by the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, GMA acknowledges digital technology as an essential platform in the way people do their work and adjust to new ways in their daily lives. With that in mind, the GMA Virtual Studio Tours was conceptualized to continue providing educational tours to travel agencies, academe, Filipino and foreign visitors abroad, and the general public during the pandemic.
Instead of going to the actual GMA Network Center in Quezon City, tour participants can virtually visit around the compound. The virtual tour features a walk through the network's state-of-the-art television and radio studios as well as its programs, artists and personalities. It comes in four studio tour packages featuring the basic virtual studio tour with different add-ons depending on the requirements of the tour participants. These include a tour of the network's Technical Operations Center, a meet-and-greet session with a Kapuso personality, a surprise "Kapuso guest" joining the virtual tour towards the end for a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity, and the inclusion of a Speakers' Bureau webinar where a network employee shares certain aspects of the company's operations or answers questions about a predetermined topic related to the participants' academic course for students or areas of interest for non-students.
Nothing beats going on a tour in person. But for now, a virtual tour might be the safest option that will allow participants to learn and broaden their horizons even in the challenges the country and the world are facing. For inquiries on GMA Virtual Studio Tours, interested participants may send an e-mail at gmatours@gmanetwork.com.
