GMA launches ‘Love Together this Summer’ campaign
GMA Network’s latest summer campaign, called “Love Together this Summer,” features shows and specials over April and May. Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay star in Raya Sirena, about Raya’s journey of self-discovery both as a human and mermaid, which will air every Sunday beginning April 24. Premiering on Afternoon Prime on April 25 is Raising Mamay, a drama on the reversal of roles between a mother and her child, starring Shayne Sava and Aiai Delas Alas. The romance-comedy series False Positive, starring Xian Lim and Glaiza de Castro, starts airing on May 2 on GMA Telebabad. Also kicking off on May 2 is the drama seires Apoy sa Langit, an unusual story of betrayal and family affairs. It is headlined by Maricel Laxa. GMA’s election coverage, Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News and Public Affairs’ Election Coverage, on May 9 and 10, will be led by GMA News’ Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Jessica Soho. Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes make a TV comeback on May 14 in the weekly sitcom Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa. Kylie Padilla makes her TV comeback with the original series Bolera on May 30. She stars as a billiards prodigy who aims to prove herself worthy of the male-dominated sport.
GMA earns accolades from UPLB, DLSU
GMA NETWORK personalities and programs won several honors at the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Gandingan Awards and De La Salle University’s Lasallian Scholarum Awards. GMA Network shone at the 2022 Lasallian Scholarum Awards, held virtually on March 9. Winning the Outstanding Video Feature on Youth and Education was Atom Araullo’s “Munting Bisig” for The Atom Araullo Specials. DLSU’s awarding body also gave a Special Commendation for Kara David’s “Pandemic Teachers” documentary for I-Witness. The Lasallian Scholarum Awards recognizes outstanding coverage of youth and education stories. Meanwhile, UP Community Broadcasters’ Society’s Gandingan Awards promotes the value of development communication and the contribution of both national and local or community-based media organizations to the betterment of the lives of Filipinos. Earning three Core Awards during the Gandingan Awards, held virtually on April 2, was GMA Public Affairs program I-Witness. Sandra Aguinaldo’s Di Paiiwan won as the Most Development-oriented Educational Program while Kara David’s Nueve, Trese, Katorse docu won the Most Development-oriented Youth Program. Howie Severino’s Mask Land completed the list, winning the Most Development-oriented Environmental Program. Kara David was hailed as the Best TV Program Host for Brigada, while the show’s “Millennial Vote” episode won the Most Development-oriented Magazine Program award. Raffy Tima was named as this year’s Best News Anchor for Balitanghali. The newscast was recognized for its “Bantay Kalikasan: Used Face Masks in Batangas Coral Reefs” episode as the Most Development-oriented Feature Story. Reporter’s Notebook took home the Most Development-oriented Investigative Story award for its “Lilibeth, Sonya, Frank at Fabel” episode. At the same time, The Atom Araullo Specials was awarded as the Most Development-oriented Documentary Program for its “Habol Hininga” documentary. Meanwhile, Drew Arellano was conferred a Special Citation for AHA! in Gandingan ng Edukasyon, and Susan Enriquez also earned a Special Citation for Pera Paraan in Gandingan ng Kabuhayan. The Gandingan Awards again recognized GMA Network’s regional arm GMA Regional TV (RTV), conferring it with the Most Development-oriented TV plug award for Nakikita Kita (Pagpupugay Plug of GMA RTV). GMA’s Entertainment Group earned various awards as well. Winning the Most Development-oriented Drama Program was the primetime series First Yaya, while weekend variety program All-Out Sundays won Most Development-oriented Musical Segment/Program for its “Tuloy pa rin: The COVID Special” episode. In the radio category, Super Radyo DZBB’s Arnold Clavio and Connie Sison won as Best AM Radio Program Hosts for their show One on One Walang Personalan while Mark Makalalad was recognized as Best Field Reporter. Barangay LS 97.1’s Barangay Love Stories host Papa Dudut earned the Best FM Radio Program Host while the “Bagong Bayani” episode of Barangay Love Stories was hailed as the Most Development-oriented Radio Drama.
OPM band NOBITA releases new single, “Totoo”
WITH writing hugot anthems inspired by the universality of long-term commitment and romantic desire, the five-piece act continues to make pop-rock tunes with their new single, “Totoo”. Written by lead guitarist Sam Aquino, produced by Isagani Palabyab of Monostery Studio, with arrangement and additional lyrics from the band, “Totoo” articulates the uncertainty of being lost and helplessly in love. Its songwriting comes from a place of earnestness, capturing the messiness of being at the bitter end of a relationship. “Since may hit single kami about being certain for love, we decided to take turns by making a ‘counter song’ for a love song per se,” NOBITA said in a joint statement. “Our fans, Nobibis requested for us to make a song about ‘single’ and ‘unfortunate in love’ people. We decided to take the challenge to heart.” The release of “Totoo” comes with a music video that stars veteran actor Mon Confiado and popular content creator Eya Borja. “Totoo” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.
P-pop group KAIA releases debut song
THE ALL-GIRL group KAIA — whose members are Sophia, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Alexa — has released its debut single “BLAH BLAH,” about the members’ experiences in dealing with romantic love and infatuation. The song is accompanied by a music video, directed by Angelo Balanon, that provides a stark contrast between the dream world and reality. “BLAH BLAH” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. The song is part of Sony Music Entertainment’s Angat, P-Pop! initiative for April which aims to put a spotlight on Pinoy Pop hits by up-and-coming groups from the label’s roster and beyond.
Camila Cabello releases third album
THREE-TIME GRAMMY award nominated singer/songwriter Camila Cabello has released her third full-length album, Familia. To celebrate the record’s arrival, the music video for Ms. Cabello’s song, “PsychoFreak,” featuring Willow, made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards. Ms. Cabelo also released the single “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran. It has already amassed over 100 million total streams and 33.4 million YouTube views on the music video. Arriving in tandem with the album, “Bam Bam” and “PsychoFreak” are custom playable songs in the new mobile music game Beatstar. Familia is available to stream on all digital music platforms.
