GMA, ABS-CBN ditch network war to co-produce series

For the first time in TV history, GMA and ABS-CBN Corporation have joined forces to co-produce the teleserye Unbreak My Heart. It features a stellar lead cast made up of artists from both networks — Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria.

To be shot in Switzerland, the groundbreaking romantic-drama will air on GMA this 2023 and stream in 15 territories outside of the Philippines via Viu, the pan-regional over-the-top video streaming service that also previously collaborated with ABS-CBN for its adaptations, The Broken Marriage Vow and Flower of Evil, under Dreamscape.

GMA, ABS-CBN and VIU executives (from left) Lauren Dyogi, Joy Marcelo, Cory Vidanes, Annette Gozon-Valdes, Joey Abacan, Vinchi Sy-Quia, Rick Tan, Garlic Garcia and Deo Endrinal.

The “historic” collab was made official during a contract-signing and story conference event held at ABS-CBN with Kapamilya, Kapuso and Viu officials in attendance. Present were GMA senior vice-president for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines deputy country manager Vinchi Sy-Quia.

Also at the signing event were GMA first vice-president for Program Management Department Joey Abacan and assistant vice-president for Sparkle Joy Marcelo.

Representing ABS-CBN were Group CFO Rick Tan, TV Production and Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi, International Sales and Distribution head Pia Laurel, and Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal, creatives head Rondel Lindayag, creatives manager Joel Mercado, and business unit head Carlina dela Merced.

The momentous event was also graced by Viu Philippines senior project manager Mil Alcain and Content Partnerships head Garlic Garcia.

“It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s the audience that will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Annette at the story conference held on the same day.

“This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen,” said Cory in a separate statement.

“Today, we are able to proudly showcase that on our platform with premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world,” said Garlic.

Forming part of the ensemble cast of Unbreak My Heart are Maey Bautista, Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, Nikki Valdez, Eula Valdes, and Laurice Guillen. It will be directed by Emmanuel Palo and Dolly Dulu.

The teleserye marks the first project of Jodi with younger stars Joshua and Gabbi, who will also be paired together for the first time. Unbreak My Heart also serves as the reunion project of Jodi and Richard, whose tandem was first introduced in the hit Kapamilya daytime series Be Careful with my Heart.