The new year has begun, and in a couple of weeks the nation’s biggest broadcasting companies unveil their new shows, signs that the network wars, which could be a three-way battle in 2016, continue and might even become more intense.
Let’s focus first on GMA Network, which in the latter part of the year, has claimed to have wrestled the leadership nationwide citing figures from AGB and NUTAM. Of course, the guys over at Mother Ignacia can only raise their eyebrows in disbelief as the figures they have from Kantar Media say otherwise.
So, what’s in store for the loyal Kapuso this month and next?
Fans of the long-running series The Half Sisters could be wearing black as a sign of mourning as their favorite daytime series bids them goodbye on Jan. 15. The series has been on the Kapuso screen since June 9, 2014 and should have ended in April last year but the network extended it to stay on the air until its finale next week.
The series cemented the love team of Barbie Forteza and emerging matinee idol Andre Paras. It also upheld Thea Tolentino as the next important character actress in the network.
Yet, as The Half Sisters’s cast takes its final bow next Friday, Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali are all set to take center screen on Jan. 18.
We met Miguel and Bianca at a restaurant in Quezon City days before the holidays last year and the two (who said they’re not romantically involved, not yet anyway, but seem unaware of their PDAs (public display of affection) described their roles in the new afternoon series.
“We are childhood friends that get separated later. When we met again we fall for each other only to find out it’s bawal,” the two chimed in between bites of red velvet cake.
They ate cake like lovebirds but the two insist they’re just comfortable with each other. “We are very close as friends, and we treat each other that,” again they chimed like they have rehearsed those lines for a long time anticipating the movie press would ask them about their relationship.
Miguel and Bianca were the featured stars in Once Upon A Kiss in GMA’s Telebabad. The two try daytime TV in their new soap Wish I May. The theme song is sung by the nation’s newest sensational matinee idol Alden Richards, from the star’s multi-platinum album of the same title.
The series also features Camille Prats, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Alessandra de Rossi, and Neil Ryan Sese.
It should be an interesting series with the seasoned actors providing able support to the young love team.
I am glad the series is finally taking off as many actors like Sese has been in limbo while waiting for it to roll.
So, Wish I May is the opening salvo of the Kapuso network. Another show will premiere on Jan. 25. Guess who stars in it? Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras, that’s who.
I am not sure if That’s My Amboy replaces Marimar, which ends in two weeks time. If that’s the case, I am glad GMA Network has realized they have another potential love team that can become a major ratings magnet. While Viva Entertainment is insisting Paras be tied to the Andre Paras-Yassi Pressman love team the company is trying to push, the Kapuso has built a massive following for the two in the less than two years they have been together in the afternoon soap The Half Sisters.
Others show the Kapuso network will launch in the first two months of the new year include The Abandoned with Derrick Monasterio and Bea Binene. I am not quite sure if the audience would embrace this combination. But loyal Kapuso fans will take any combination, I think, to show their love for the network.
Eugene Domingo who has taken a respite from appearing in movies, takes on another hosting job for Dear Uge. I don’t have the details of the show, but I guess it will be some sort of an advice show and it will commence on Valentine’s Day.
Finally, Michael V goes on a side trip away from Bubble Gang and Pepito Manaloto to host a game show called Lip Sync Battle. We see something like this on Comedy Central with Hollywood celebrities participating. I am not sure if this show that will have Iya Villania as co-host will have local celebs as participants. This will premiere on Feb. 27.
So, that’s it Kapuso. These are the shows you will look forward to watching this month and next.
And dear Kapamilya, I know you have something ready to face the competition.
Let the ratings race begin!