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| Representatives of GMA Network, ABS-CBN Corporation and Viu Philippines with the main stars of the upcoming drama series "Unbreak My Heart" (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Network, the largest and leading broadcasting company in the Philippines, and ABS-CBN Corporation, the country's premiere media and entertainment company and leading content provider, have sealed a new historic partnership for the co-production of a groundbreaking teleserye titled “Unbreak My Heart” with a stellar cast top-billed by the premiere artists of both companies including Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Richard Yap, and Jodi Sta. Maria. The romantic-drama series where majority of its scenes will be filmed in Switzerland will be aired nationwide on GMA this 2023 and stream in 15 territories outside of the Philippines on Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional over-the-top video streaming service.
The partnership was made official during a contract signing and story conference event held last January 23, 2023 at ABS-CBN with top officials from the three companies led by GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups and GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines Deputy Country Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia. GMA officials who were welcomed at the signing event were First Vice-President for Program Management Department Joey Abacan and Assistant Vice-President for Sparkle GMA Artist Center Joy Marcelo. Representing ABS-CBN in the historic event were Group Chief Finance Officer Rick Tan, TV Production and Star Magic Head Lauren Dyogi, International Sales and Distribution Head Pia Laurel, and Dreamscape Entertainment led by its Head Deo Endrinal, Creatives Head Rondel Lindayag, Creatives Manager Joel Mercado, and Business Unit Head Carlina Dela Merced. The momentous event was also graced by Viu Philippines Senior Project Manager Mil Alcain and Content Partnerships Head Garlic Garcia.
“It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s the audience that will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Annette at the said story conference. “This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen,” said Cory. “Today, we are able to proudly showcase that on our platform with premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world,” said Garlic. Joining the ensemble cast of “Unbreak My Heart” are Maey Bautista, Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, Nikki Valdez, Eula Valdes, and Laurice Guillen, and directed by Emmanuel Q. Palo and Dolly Dulu. Viewers can expect an exciting collaboration as the teleserye marks the first project of Jodi with young stars Joshua and Gabbi, who will also be paired together for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Jodi reunites with Richard, her former on-screen partner in ABS-CBN dramas "Be Careful With My Heart" and "Sana Dalawa Ang Puso".
“This collaboration will really bring in opportunities not only to the networks, but for the people working in the network, for the people in the industry,” said Jodi. “I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast,” said Richard. “I’m really honored talaga na makasama dito, na pinili nila ako na maging parte ng proyektong ‘to. Excited ako na gawin ‘yung character,” said Joshua. While Gabbi shared, “It’s my first time doing this kind of role. Grabe ‘yung growth and ‘yung depth ng character ko dito sa show na ‘to.” The groundbreaking collaboration between GMA and ABS-CBN follows last year's historic partnership deal which the Kapuso network airs select Star Cinema movies on GMA, GTV and GMA's digital free TV movie channel I Heart Movies.
