#Sampuso: A decade of bringing Filipinos closer to home

Congratulations to GMA International as its flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV reaches a milestone of 10 fruitful years of bringing overseas Filipinos closer to home.

Since its international debut in Japan through the carrier IPS Japan in 2005, GMA Pinoy TV has significantly expanded its reach worldwide and served as a bridge between Filipinos and the Philippines.

“GMA’s corporate purpose is to enrich the lives of Filipinos everywhere with superior entertainment and the responsible delivery of news and information. We at GMA International give life to this mandate as we serve the estimated 11 million Filipinos living abroad,” explains Joseph Francia, GMA first VP and head of International Operations.

“GMA International similarly delivers the promise of making Filipinos feel close to home wherever they may be. We reach out to Pinoys abroad, whatever their circumstances are, who want to stay connected to the Philippines through GMA’s newscasts, variety shows, dramas and documentaries,” he adds.

GMA International has since grown to include two more international channels -— namely, GMA Life TV, launched in 2008, and GMA News TV International, which was launched in 2011 — and to expand its reach across 57 countries all over the world, reaching an estimated two million viewers.

Currently, GMA’s three international channels are available in the 50 states of the US, Canada, various countries in the Asia Pacific Region, North Africa and the Middle East, and will soon be more accessible in Europe.

“We have come a long way since the very warm welcome accorded GMA Pinoy TV when it was launched in Japan, Guam and mainland US in 2005. We are grateful for the support of various Pinoy communities around the world that welcomed GMA into their homes,” Francia says.

Indeed, GMA International can boast of a decade of success, remaining a consistent winner at the New York-based Excellence in Multicultural Marketing Awards (EMMA) since 2006. The EMMA recognizes outstanding marketing efforts across different platforms in the international arena.

GMA International also garnered four Silver trophies at the prestigious 2014 Communicator Awards, which prides itself as the leading awards program that recognizes big ideas in marketing and communications.

With the ever-changing preference of consumers, as well as the vast multicultural differences experienced by migrant Filipinos, GMA International recognizes the need to uphold the Filipino identity in Filipino communities abroad.

“We mainly continue to target the same market as when we launched internationally 10 years ago, but we also recognize that these Filipinos have raised their families abroad. In the process, they are immersed in foreign cultures and imbibed practices of their host countries. GMA International addresses this evolved generation by offering content that educates on Filipino lifestyles, language and dialects, culture and humor, essentially keeping them close to their roots,” Francia explains.

Over the years, GMA International has offered a diverse selection of Kapuso programs and has been a consistent source of groundbreaking and innovative content for Filipinos overseas, as seen in popular programs such as Mulawin, StarStruck and My Husband’s Lover which aired over GMA  international channels.

It continues this commitment to providing superior entertainment by bringing the network’s sought-after shows, including Marimar, Beautiful Strangers, My Faithful Husband, Wowowin and Sunday PinaSaya straight to viewers’ homes abroad.

It also delivers comprehensive, accurate and credible news from the news and public affairs team through the network’s multi-awarded news personalities and top-rated programs such as 24 Oras, Saksi, I-Witness, Front Row and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

Its program line-up also includes award-winning original series such as Home Away From Home and Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika, which can be seen on GMA Pinoy TV in North America. Home Away from Home invites viewers into the homes of Filipinos overseas who have become important parts of their communities and have shown success in their respective fields. On the other hand, Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika reaches out to the Filipino community abroad as well as those who wish to migrate to the US in an effort to help them navigate through the immigration system.

Keeping the Filipino spirit alive worldwide, GMA International is a constant presence in overseas community events such as Philippine Independence Day celebrations, Pinoy fiestas, as well as local competitions and shows.

In 2013, GMA Pinoy TV staged the first of what was to become an annual series of concerts featuring Kapuso artists in different countries around the world. Dubbed Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai, the concert was headlined by Marian Rivera together with Rachelle Ann Go, Julie Anne San Jose and Christian Bautista.

GMA International also keeps its subscribers up-to-date with the latest Kapuso news from home through the Kapuso Abroad magazine, which won first place in the Grassroots category of the 2012 NAMIC EMMA, as well as its website (www.gmanetwork.com/international) and various social media platforms geared towards engaging with their subscribers abroad.

Moreover, TV monitors showing GMA’s international channels were placed in Filipino convergence points such as embassies, consulates, banks and grocery stores as a free service for our countrymen who want to stay abreast with the latest information from the Philippines.

After a decade of serving overseas Filipinos across six continents, GMA International continues to strengthen its global presence and provide a home away from home through expansion efforts and international events.

“We are excited about our expanding presence in Europe through LycaTV as we aim to reach more of our countrymen abroad,” reveals Francia. “We also have upcoming plans to launch in Australia and New Zealand.”

Kickstarting the year-long, worldwide anniversary celebration dubbed #Sampuso, GMA Pinoy TV staged Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver and Kapusong Pinoy Anaheim earlier this year in a concert which was topbilled by Ai-Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards, Jonalyn Viray, Betong Sumaya and Christian Bautista.

The festivities continued with Kapusong Pinoy New York last Sept. 5 with Dingdong Dantes and Ai-Ai, along with Julie Anne, Betong, Rita Daniela and Christian performing to a full house at The Town Hall in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

Meanwhile, there are more exciting events for Filipinos overseas this year with Kapusong Pinoy Japan in October and Kapusong Pinoy Dubai in November.

“There are great things in store for our kababayan as we celebrate our growing Kapuso community,” Francia shares. “Through a year-long celebration, we hope to impart our gratitude to our partner-distributors, subscribers and all loyal Kapuso fans who have made this journey a success.”