GMA, ABS-CBN partner for Viu series

GMA Network and ABS-CBN Corporation have sealed a new historic partnership for the co-production of a groundbreaking teleserye titled “Unbreak My Heart” with a stellar cast top-billed by the premiere artists of both companies Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Richard Yap, and Jodi Sta. Maria.

The romantic-drama series will be filmed in Switzerland to air on GMA this 2023 and stream in 15 territories outside the Philippines on the top pan-regional video streaming service Viu.

The partnership was made official at a contract signing and story conference at ABS-CBN on Monday. Present were top officials from the three companies led by GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide and Support Groups and lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines Deputy Country Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia.

Other GMA officials welcomed at the signing comprised of First Vice-President for Program Management Department Joey Abacan and Assistant Vice-President for Sparkle Joy Marcelo.

Likewise representing ABS-CBN in the historic event were Group CFO Rick Tan, TV Production and Star Magic Head Lauren Dyogi, International Sales and Distribution Head Pia Laurel, and Dreamscape Entertainment led by its Head Deo Endrinal, Creatives Head Rondel Lindayag, Creatives Manager Joel Mercado and Business Unit Head Carlina Dela Merced, along with former colleague Garlic Garcia who is now Content Partnerships Head of Viu Philippines and the site’s Senior Project Manager Mil Alcain.

“[This is] a first for Philippine TV, and I’m sure the audience will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Gozon at the story conference.

“This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen,” added Vidanes.

Grateful to bridge the two networks together, Garcia finally said, “Today, we can proudly showcase that on our platform [we have] premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world.”

Also part of the ensemble cast is Maey Bautista, Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, Nikki Valdez, Eula Valdes, and Laurice Guillen. Emmanuel Palo and Dolly Dulu share directorial duties.

The executives agree that viewers can expect an exciting collaboration in Unbreak My Heart as the teleserye marks the first project of internationally awarded actress Sta. Maria, with young stars Joshua and Gabbi, who will also be paired together for the first time ever. In turn, Sta. Maria reunites with Yap, her former on-screen partner on the hit series, “Please Be Careful with My Heart.”

“This collaboration will really bring opportunities not only to the networks but for the people working in the networks [and] the people in the industry,” said Sta. Maria.

“I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course, I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast,” Yap said in response.