Going the extra mile

GMA 7’s primetime blockbusters are truly in a league of their own, as they have changed the landscape of local TV programming over the past years. As the network celebrates its 56th anniversary, GMA 7 continues to live up to its unwavering commitment of providing superior quality entertainment, proving that it reigns supreme when it comes to creating telefantasyas and innovative primetime series that go beyond the typical soap opera. The Telebabad block has taken TV entertainment to the next level, raising the bar with every production it has come up with over the past few landmark years – be it in storytelling, set design, props, technology, visuals, costumes and stunts.

As the latest primetime blockbuster Captain Barbell soars in the ratings game as the No. 1 program in Mega Manila, the ingenuity of GMA 7 primetime programs is brought to the limelight. The first-ever TV serialization of the Pinoy superhero, Captain Barbell has proven to be world-class, with its modern and futuristic storyline, state-of-the-art special effects, cutting-edge action sequences and top-notch production design. Even Captain Barbell’s hero suit was specially created by designer Miles Teves, who made the costumes for Hollywood blockbusters like Batman Forever, Robocop and Spiderman. With the success of Captain Barbell, the station’s primetime viewing was elevated to a higher level.

It all began with Mulawin, which pioneered the telefantasya genre, showcasing the country’s then most-promising teen idols and now big stars Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin in groundbreaking roles once deemed impossible in local TV.

Meanwhile, the first full-length TV serialization of the Mars Ravelo brainchild, original Pinay superhero Darna, proved to be truly phenomenal, as the telefantasya opened with a remarkable pilot week that remains unsurpassed to this day.

Based on AGB Philippines Mega Manila overnight ratings, Darna holds the highest record in viewership ratings garnered by a pilot episode (47.1 percent) and the highest-ever rating of 52.1 percent which it posted on its fourth episode. And more than its impressive ratings, Darna endeared the legendary original Pinay superhero to the kids of this generation and helped perpetuate the people’s appreciation of the powerful but pure-hearted woman who has already become a Filipino cultural icon.

Following the success of Mulawin, GMA 7 introduced Encantadia, another amazing telefantasya which was the network’s biggest and most ambitious production at the time and raised telefantasyas to a whole new level. Whereas Mulawin and Darna conquered the skies, Encantadia brought viewers to a completely different world of powerful fairies, brave warriors, lovable and mythical creatures, and ferocious fiends.

Through a brilliant production team, it showcased Filipino creativity and ingenuity, from the elaborate sets to the costumes, props and the fantastic story. It was also the first production to make use of animated puppets. It has since then become ground-breaking, and a highly-awarded (here and abroad) series of the network, going from being a visually-appealing entertainment program to a Pinoy pop icon. The show even caught the interest of members of the academe for its potential literary value and cultural relevance.

GMA 7’s latest telefantasya, Majika, boasts of captivating original story-telling, making the world of Saladin, the world of magicians, spells, charms, potions and magical activities believable. Its colorful costumes, sets and dazzling visual effects leave viewers spellbound.

The station also went beyond its enthralling telefantasyas with Sugo, a breakthrough Asian-inspired adventure love story. Sugo is known for its high-powered local and international production teams, composed of Mulawin directors Dominic Zapata and Lore Reyes, veteran director Peque Gallaga as production designer and visual consultant, choreographer Wong Wai Fai, the martial arts instructor and action director of Crouching Tiger, Anna and the King and Bulletproof Monk.

After taking viewers to the heavens and the magical worlds of Encantadia and Saladin, GMA 7 brings viewers weeknights to the romantic city of New York with I Luv NY. It is the first Philippine primetime TV soap to use a world-class location as its backdrop, around which the story of the four main characters revolves.

This excellence in primetime programming brings to mind the biggest challenge of all: what to showcase next. It will be up to GMA 7’s pool of dynamic minds that never seems to run out of innovative ideas to create another primetime blockbuster that will go even a step further than it has ever gone.