The saying, “You can never go home again” doesn’t seem to hold water for Maja Salvador.
A few years after leaving home network ABS-CBN for greener pasture at TV5, Maja has returned to the media conglomerate that discovered and developed her as an actress.
She’s currently starring in a TV series, Iron Heart, opposite Richard Gutierrez. Several key scenes were shot in Richard’s hometown, Cebu.
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Without government franchise, ABS-CBN has been expanding its visibility by providing content to various platforms. The beleaguered network has existing arrangements with TV5 which airs some of its programs. It is said to collaborate also with neighboring station, AllTV, which has taken over its frequencies.
Although Maja appears now and then on Eat Bulaga as a co-host, she has yet to sign with GMA-7.
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On the other hand, actors who have promised to stand by ABS-CBN despite of and against all odds include Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Jolina Magdangal, Jericho Rosales, Enchong Dee, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Shaina Magdayao, Kim Chiu, Sarah Geronimo, Gerald Anderson, Zanjoe Marudo. They more than made up for the lack of related artists in the network’s recent Christmas station ID. Others have flown the coop.
Heard on the ubas vine that several other talents from ABS-CBN have sent feelers to their colleagues who have made the move to GMA and other networks, expressing interest to also transfer. Alas, it’s too late in the day for them to do so. GMA says it can no longer accept any new talents, whether on cam or those working behind the cameras. Network says it has more than enough people in its fold.
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Meanwhile, actors keep flocking to Viva Films for work. Lovi Poe is the latest addition to the roster of Viva artists that include Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, Vice Ganda, Bea Alonzo, Xian Lim, Julia Barretto. Viva has made such an impact to the entertainment industry in 2022 despite the pandemic and inflation. The company scored a blockbuster hit with the film, Maid in Malacanang; scored more hits with those sexy movies on Vivamax; and closed the year with two topnotchers in the recent MMFF, Deleter (P234 million) and Partners in Crime (P168-M).
Regal Films, under the management of Roselle Monteverde, has been collaborating with GMA, scoring a hit out of its Mano Po franchise, the latest being The Flower Sisters. Mother Lily’s studio has also been signing up new artists, but they should stop calling them Regal Babies, as that is so 1980s. A new branding is in order.