Why fight when we can just celebrate the best of ABS-CBN and GMA?
Related: 6 Fun Facts About The Historic New Series, ‘Unbreak My Heart’
As two of the biggest media companies in the country, ABS-CBN and GMA are integral parts of Philippine society. From childhood until well into adulthood, the two companies provide us with the shows, movies, and programs we love watching, not to mention the stars we love following. But given their stature and often-assumed association as competitors, some have compared the two and do battle on social media on which company is better.
All this petty arguing though hides the fact that ABS-CBN and GMA are all here to do the same thing, to entertain and enrich. And that includes working together on occasion. Over the years, some of ABS and GMA’s brightest stars have found themselves crossing over to the other side for some fun projects and guestings. Here are some of those crossovers that shattered the separation between the two companies.
BGYO ON GMA
While BGYO is known as ABS-CBN’s premier boy group, that doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed to promote on the other networks. This March, the group made their Kapuso debut when they guested on the afternoon show TiktoClock to perform Tumitigil Ang Mundo and play some fun games.
ALDEN RICHARDS STARRING IN HELLO LOVE, GOODBYE
While the story of how Star Magic’s highest-grossing movie to date ended up with Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards is long and twisty, what matters is that this movie made its mark on Philippine entertainment. Alden coming on board a Star Magic project was exciting enough, but the fact he was going to be paired with Kath made it feel like a meeting of the titans. The film’s nearly one billion peso gross proves it.
DINGDONG DANTES WORKING WITH STAR CINEMA
Dingdong Dantes and Star Cinema is honestly a match made in heaven. During the 2010s, the actor appeared in some Pinoy classics. There’s Segunda Mano with Kris Aquino, One More Try and The Unmarried Wife with Angelica Panganiban, She’s The One with Bea Alonzo, and the family drama Seven Sundays to just name a few. His Star Cinema comeback when?
COLLABORATING FOR UNBREAK MY HEART
Ah, now that’s history. While the two companies aren’t strangers to working with each other (as this list proves), Unbreak My Heart marks the first time the two are using their combined might to make a series. The show is unlike any that has come before it because this will be the first time GMA and ABS-CBN will co-produce a show. To that end, Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap will serve as the lead stars alongside Joshua Garcia and Gabbi Garcia in a pairing that has already gotten fans talking. Filming for the series has already begun in Europe and is set to air on GMA and stream on Viu later this year.
MAINE MENDOZA ON TWBA
While some may remember the time Boy Abunda asked Alden Richards to pick between sex or chocolates on TWBA when it used to be on ABS-CBN, we have a soft spot for the time Maine appeared on the talk show. She appeared on the ABS-CBN program as part of the promo tour for her highly underrated film, Isa Pa, With Feelings, and appeared alongside her co-star Carlo Aquino. And while we are on the topic of Eat Bulaga stars on TWBA, Paolo Ballesteros also appeared on the show in 2019.
MARIAN RIVERA WITH STAR CINEMA
Did you know that Marian Rivera had her OJT in ABS-CBN? Given that, it’s not that surprising that the actress would find herself working with ABS-CBN once more years later. In 2013, she and Ai-Ai Delas Alas starred in Star Magic’s Kung Fu Divas as part of the production company’s 20th-anniversary presentation. Marian's stints with the company include appearing on Kris TV and Bandilla. And in 2018, she made a cameo appearance in Fantastica, which so happened to have Dingdong Dantes as one of its stars.
BONUS: FORMER KAPAMILYA STARS ON EAT BULAGA
As of this writing, Julia Barretto, Miles Ocampo, and Maja Salvador are no longer part of Star Magic. Still, all three got their start and are known for their projects under ABS-CBN. So, it was a little jarring seeing them on a popular noontime show, and no, we aren’t referring to It’s Showtime. In 2022, Julia appeared as a guest on Eat Bulaga to promote her new movie with Carlo Aquino, Expensive Candy and play a game of Bawal Judgmental. As for Miles and Maja, both serve as co-hosts of the program with occasional appearances on Kapamilya shows here and there.
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