Actress Rita Daniela may have left GMA Network, but said she would always be grateful for the 21 years she spent as a Kapuso. She further elevated her career by signing a management contract with Viva Artists Agency (VAA).

Rita Daniela (Images courtesy of VAA Facebook)

“I want to explore new opportunities. We all know that Viva has many platforms. They produce concerts, musicals, and series like Viva One. I want to try them all," said Rita when asked about her decision to leave the Kapuso Network after 21 years during a media conference in Pasig City on Feb. 25.

Rita, 30, shared that leaving GMA Network - a place she called home after 21 years - was not an easy decision.

“That’s 21 years of my life. I have nothing bad to say about GMA, especially about Ms. Annette [Gozon-Valdes], Ms. Joy [Marcelo], and my long-time manager, Ms. Tracy [Garcia]. They supported me in so many ways—not just personally, but by helping make my dreams come true.

“It’s natural for every artist to seek a fresh start and growth. I have nothing but gratitude. That feeling will never fade—it’s forever engraved in my heart,” she added.

The versatile singer and actress first gained national attention by joining QTV’s reality singing competition Pop Star Kids, ultimately winning the grand championship.

After her victory, Rita appeared in numerous GMA-7 variety shows and was later introduced as a member of Sugarpop, a group formed by the Top 5 finalists of the competition’s first season.

Rita: 'I have nothing bad to say about GMA'

In 2007, she broadened her career by venturing into acting, debuting in a supporting role in the action-drama series Asian Treasures alongside Robin Padilla and Angel Locsin.

Over the next several years, Rita took on various supporting roles before rising to prominence as a “kontrabida” actress in 2013, with standout performances in "Mundo Mo’y Akin," "Villa Quintana," and "Impostora."

Rita revisited her musical roots in 2015 by releasing her self-titled studio album. Juggling music and acting, she had a breakthrough year in 2018, starring as Aubrey in the drama series "My Special Tatay," a role that earned her multiple awards and nominations from esteemed organizations such as the Gawad Tanglaw Awards and the PMPC Star Awards for Television. In the same year, she made her stage debut in "Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!," a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Apo Hiking Society.

She continued her rise as a leading lady in the years that followed, starring in the romantic-comedy series

"One of the Baes" and the film "Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw." She also performed “Umulan Man o Umaraw,” the film’s theme song, which won Best Original Song at the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 2020, Rita expanded her repertoire by becoming a television host, joining the singing competition "The Clash," and the variety show "All-Out Sundays." She further cemented her status as one of television’s brightest stars with lead roles in "Ang Dalawang Ikaw" and "Widows’ War."

Now, as one of the newest members of VAA, Rita is eager to broaden her creative horizons—continuing to excel in music, acting, and hosting while solidifying her standing as one of the Philippines’ most dynamic performers. 

Rita embarks on this new chapter with an upcoming project on Viva Movie Box, Viva’s microdrama platform.