GMA 7 shifts to higher gear

Lorna Tolentino may have jumped ship from GMA 7 to ABS-CBN. But there will always be room for talents like her on GMA 7. At least that’s what the network’s Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante says.

“Lorna told us she wants to do a movie and has already committed herself to one,” reveals Galvante. “I told her she should do what she thinks is best for her. I also told her she can come back (to GMA). We’re open to that.”

The openness works on a case-to-case basis, though. Galvante says it doesn’t apply to all stars who left GMA and are willing to return to the fold. It hinges on many things, among them how the star made his or her exit (a graceful one is always welcome). Talking to the bosses before making the big move the way Lorna did, is a must, of course.

Sheryl Cruz is another case in point. Galvante says the network can’t say no to Susan Roces when she decided to cast her niece on ABS-CBN’s The Susan Roces Collection. With the landmark series over, Susan asked Galvante to take care of Sheryl’s career from then on. Again, how can you say no to Susan Roces?

Sheryl will star in Luna Mystica (with Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez) which replaces Asero in mid-November.

Luna Mystica is not the only series GMA 7 is throwing into its red-hot cauldron of new shows. La Lola, topbilling Rhian Ramos and Wendell Ramos pilots today, replacing the extended Ako si Kim Sam Soon. Family Feud debuts on the same day, replacing Gobingo. And Dennis Trillo’s Gagambino takes a bow Oct. 20 in lieu of Dyesebel.

Now that their respective shows are poised to end, what lies ahead of Kapuso stars Regine Velasquez (Ako si Kim Sam Soon) and Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (Dyesebel)?

A lot, say Galvante and fellow network executives Marivin Arayata, Lilybeth Rasonable, Darling de Jesus and Janine Piad Nacar.

Regine can expect a Christmas special, a new soap and Totoy Bato (with Robin Padilla) for the first quarter of 2009 waiting for her when the ongoing Celebrity Duets (with Ogie Alcasid) sings its swan song.

Marian and Dingdong will be scarce in the teleseries genre for a while so fans will be more eager to see them return in the koreanovela All About Eve.

The love team game goes on, now that new mom Jennlyn Mercado is ready to pick up where she left off. She and Mark Herras will bring back that loving feeling via a sinenovela to mark their TV reunion.

And while tried-and-tested stars will surely perk up the ratings, the network isn’t about to neglect its job of giving new talents a much-deserved break. One of them is Jasmine Villegas, who sang The Star Spangled Banner at Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas so well she caught the attention of network executives. Jasmine, says Galvante, will appear as regular mainstay of S.O.P., after her trial guesting in the noontime show got good feedback.

Meanwhile, GMA is all set to unveil its state-of-the-art studios on Oct. 17. The P1-B project will make things easier for network people as well as fans who want to see their idols up close. The building will house three rehearsal studios where fans can watch their favorite shows, live.

This will make it possible for Startalk fans to sit comfortably and enjoy the show to the hilt when it marks its 13th anniversary on Oct. 25.

The host and guests of the network’s upcoming game show, My Dad is Better Than Your Dad (patterned after the American show of the same title) will also see just how improved the facilities in the new building are once they start work. Janno Gibbs will step into the new building soon, since he returns to hosting via the new season of Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5, which starts airing Nov. 15.

Rehearsal studios where live and taped shows are held, and where acting workshops are conducted are not the only structures in the new building. It’s so huge, GMA 7’s new source of pride will also house a souvenir shop and museum where the network’s talents display their treasured mementos, like director Louie Ignacio’s paintngs.

It’s a whole new world, a whole new challenge. GMA 7 is making sure it’s prepared to meet them, head-on.