A Kapuso family day

Noted comedian and TV star Jerry Seinfeld famously said, “There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” At the Kapuso Network, we beg to differ.

Last June 15, GMA Network had its annual Kapuso Family Day outing at Enchanted Kingdom. With the network celebrating its anniversary every June, it is the company’s way of thanking its employees who have contributed to its success. One of the core values at GMA goes:

“We Value our people as our best assets” and the Family Day is one way of showing it.

Family Day was introduced and institutionalized in 2001, immediately after lawyer Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr. assumed management control, at the time, as chairman, president and CEO and EVP and COO, respectively. As its name suggests, the families of all the employees are included in the fun. It is GMA’s way of showing its gratitude to them “for helping inspire each and every employee to strive or to work harder to achieve the company’s set goals for every year,” explains VP for Human Resources Gerrome Apolona who spent Family Day with his kids.

Apolona expounds that “the Family Day — like our other corporate events — provides employees an avenue to reach out, interact and create deeper ties and bonds with one another.”

Jonalyn Viray echoes the same sentiment when she said that it is “a venue for everyone to establish not only our working relationships but our social and emotional ties as well.”

Jonalyn performed during the program held at the Eldar’s Tent. Hosted by Betong, Moymoy Palaboy and Mae Bautista, it also had performances by Alden Richards, Down to Mars and Valerie Concepcion, all for the delight of the audience.

When asked how Jonalyn felt singing in front of lawyer Gozon and the rest of the big bosses, she confessed, “I get more nervous when performing in front of them” but stressed that she thinks “it’s a boost of morale for all the Kapuso employees” having top management officials and their families at the event. “Somehow, it means we’re all one big family here,” she enthused.

Alden also took time off to spend the day with his fellow Kapuso. He said that he went “to show that I really support GMA-oriented events and I value all of them,” adding that he was “happy and proud to be a part of it because despite our busy schedules we all made time to go.” 

Of course, the yearly program would not be complete without the much-anticipated speech from Gozon. He delivered a message, highlighting the network’s success from the start of the year to date of Family Day. Impressing upon the network’s employees the importance of sustaining the strong financial performance of the company in the coming months, Gozon shared, “Full synergy — that is what I have been stressing is necessary to our success. We should always keep in mind that the performance of every individual affects the performance of all the other internal groups. Working seamlessly together, I believe that we can take our business to greater heights.”

But as Gozon said in his speech, “even though the following months prove challenging for us, it is still very much important that we set aside time for us to relax and bond with our families and co-workers. That is why we have this Family Day for that is how we do it in the Kapuso network — we work hard to persevere in our jobs but we also know how to enjoy and have fun.”

And, to make the day really more enjoyable, Gozon also announced a one-month bonus across the board for regular employees.

Armed with day-passes and wizard money to buy food and souvenirs, every Kapuso and their families experienced a magical time riding the many attractions that Enchanted Kingdom had. “Kapuso Family Day became more special and significant for me when my 10-year-old daughter Gabby said that she doesn’t want me to quit GMA because of Family Day. She really enjoys going to Enchanted Kingdom once a year,” shared Ghia San Pedro from the corporate communications department. She hasn’t missed a Family Day outing since she started working for the network in 2006.

Even the regional press invited to cover Sunday All Stars that was set to premiere the day after Family Day had a lot of fun.  Ryan Mark Borinaga, entertainment editor of Cebu City’s Banat gleefully shared, “It was fun and very memorable for me because it gave me my first ferris wheel ride at age 33.” Jenny Molbog-Mendoza, a columnist with SunStar Davao, described the experience as “super worthwhile,” commenting on how well their entourage was treated by the Kapuso employees. The same sentiment was shared by Debbie Duraliza, The Freeman’s entertainment editor, saying “It was a fun-filled day full of many ‘firsts’ for us. GMA Network recognizes the important contribution of the regional press and they really go the extra mile to make us feel welcome.”

And as the night came to an end, the sky was lit with a colorful fireworks display as the many tired yet happy Kapuso Family Day participants motored back to their homes, bringing with them fond memories of the precious time they were able to spend with their families and co-workers which they surely will treasure forever. And Jerry Seinfeld just might agree.