Charles Teves
#KapamilyaForever trended at number one in the country on Thursday because of the continuous support coming from ABS-CBN‘s fans. Despite being out of free TV for almost a year, the network refuses to stop serving the Filipino public.
The trending of the hashtag not only proves that ABS-CBN still has the loyalty of its viewers, but it also connotes that some Kapamilya stars are willing to stick with the network amid all the hardships it is dealing with.
Screen icons Judy Ann Santos and Angel Locsin never left ABS-CBN when a congressional panel denied its bid for franchise renewal. Instead, both actresses decided to run their respective shows on a relatively lower talent fee.
Santos hosted Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan?, an inspirational docu-drama about true-to-life stories of hope. The last episode aired on June 26 with her thanking the network for giving her the opportunity.
“I am so grateful na binigay sa akin ng management itong show na ‘to,” she said in an unaired portion of the program’s farewell episode.
“Kailangan natin ipakita sa mga tao kung gaano kalayo ang nararating ng kindness. Hindi naman kailangang malaking bagay ang ibigay mo sa isang tao. Kahit smile nga lang ‘yan, kindness na ‘yun. Libre pa. Nakakatuwa na parte ako ng isang programa na nakapagpatuloy ng chain of kindness,” she added.
Just like the many fans out there, Santos expressed optimism that ABS-CBN will make a comeback to free TV.
Locsin was also emotional as she bid her viewers goodbye in the last episode of Iba ‘Yan, a weekly show that showcases ordinary people with extraordinary stories with an aim to highlight the strength of the Filipino spirit.
She thanked her staff for running the show, including those who shared their “unique” stories.
“Isang bagay ang napatunayan natin sa isang taon ng pagsasama natin dito sa Iba ‘Yan, na marami talagang mga ordinaryong bayani ang may kakaibang kuwento ng pagmamalasakit sa ating kapwa. Kaya maraming salamat po at hinayaan ninyo kami na ibida ang kanilang mga kwento, at babaunin po namin itong inspirasyon sa pamamaalam po ng programang ito,” she said.
“Sa panahon na walang kasiguraduhan dahil sa pandemya, at dahil na rin po wala rin pong kasiguraduhan ang staff ng ABS-CBN, binuksan niyo po ang pintuan ninyo para sa amin, kaya maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo,” she added.
Toni Gonzaga could have taken a cut on talent fee as well when ABS-CBN asked if she’d do I Feel U, a variety-talk show.
And instead of taking her talent fee, ABS-CBN Films Managing Director Olivia Lamasan said Gonzaga donated hers to the retrenched employees.
“Ito pong si Toni gave a generous portion of her talent fee, if not all, para po sa mga empleyado ng ABS-CBN na nawalan po ng trabaho nung inorder po ng Congress na i-shutdown kami. I will never forget that kasi napaiyak mo ako noon sa sobrang kalakihan ng puso mo at kabutihan mo. I pray that God returns your generosity a thousand-fold and that blessings may continue to abound you in all aspects of your life,” Lamasan said.
Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo for their part approached their bosses at ABS-CBN and asked what they can do to help.
“Malaki ang utang na loob namin sa ABS. Yung buhay ko nagbago 360. Nakakatulog ng maigi ang pamilya ko ngayon dahil sa mga binigay ng ABS na proyekto sakin.
“I can wait. It’s not the end of me pag lumipat na ako or something. I can wait hanggang makabangon ang ABS dahil naniniwala ako babangon tayo lahat dito.” he said when asked to confirm if he and Bernardo did in fact volunteered to help the network’s situation.
“Ang nakarating sa’kin is ikaw at si Kathryn, lumapit sa mga bosses. And you didn’t even asked permission to work elsewhere. Ang sinabi ninyo sa mga bosses ay 'What can we do to help?' Is that true?”
“Totoo 'yon.” — DJ
Walang iwanan, hanggang sa buwan! 🤙pic.twitter.com/P4MRGaql4m
— marcy (@archtkennuggets) July 1, 2021
Anne Curtis, who hasn’t been on TV for almost 2 years after becoming a mother, has recently denied rumors that she’s transferring to the GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s biggest rival.
Hahaha Yes. Kalma. They pitched a film for next year na hindi pa naman sure yet. As always, I need to read the script first before making a decision. The last viva x gma film I did was IN YOUR EYES with Ate Claudine & Richard. I was already a Kapamilya then. So Kalma Lang! 💖 https://t.co/80FqdrZZgh
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) July 1, 2021
On Facebook, she sympathized with all the ABS-CBN fans who are heartbroken at what is happening with the network. She still couldn’t believe that Congress decided to shut ABS-CBN down amid a health crisis, forcing the network to retrench and lose billions in revenue.
Veteran broadcaster Karen Davila is also not looking to transfer anytime soon. In an interview with comedian Ogie Diaz, she claimed to be a product of ABS-CBN and is proud of it.
“Hindi ako magiging Karen Davila if not for ABS. That’s a fact.
“At ABS’ lowest point, I wanna be there and see where this goes,” she told Diaz.
Angelica Panganiban, one of the network’s top talents, refused the offer of transferring. She said in an online conference that she’d only leave if she can no longer feed her family.
“I’m very thankful na hanggan ngayon may trabaho binibigay sakin ng ABS-CBN,” she said.
