It’s official: Angel Locsin leaving GMA-7
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 10:53pm (Mla time) 07/21/2007
MANILA, Philippines—It’s now official: Angel Locsin will not sign with GMA-7, ending a relationship with the television network that started and honed her career as an actress.
Locsin’s manager Becky Aguila confirmed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a parent company of INQUIRER.net, that she sent a letter, formally informing GMA-7 that her talent would not renew her contract with the Kapuso network.
The actress’ father, Angel Colmenares had also told the Inquirer that he and Aguila were negotiating with GMA-7’s rival network, ABS-CBN. No agreement has yet been reached, although reports have circulated that the Kapamilya network had lined up several projects for the erstwhile “Kapuso.”
Aguila had also confirmed a meeting with ABS-CBN Executive Vice President Charo Santos-Concio to discuss terms of the contract. The talent manager had departed for London, England on Saturday to meet with Locsin and talk about the progress of the talks.
Locsin is in London to study a crash course in fashion designing.
Colmenares reiterated that their decision was “based on a sense of fairness, but we are thankful to GMA-7.”
Locsin started her career as part of GMA Artist Center’s roster of new talents part of the youth-oriented drama, “Click.” She got her biggest break when she was cast in the top-rating fantasy series “Mulawin” in 2003. She then bagged the plum role to play the quintessential Pinoy heroine “Darna” in 2004 that made her a household name. She then took the lead role in subsequent GMA-7 top-rating programs on the primetime block, including “Majika” in 2005 and the recently-concluded “Asian Treasures” this year.
Locsin’s ties with GMA-7 allegedly turned sour amid attacks against her in media that she became an “ingrate,” a “monster,” “arrogant” after she reportedly turned down an offer to play “Marimar,” an adaptation of the popular Mexican telenovela. She reportedly claimed GMA-7 did not defend her enough against those rumors.
The “Marimar” part went eventually to Marian Rivera, whom the network is positioning to replace Locsin as their centerpiece talent. The network denied offering the role to Locsin.
With Gerry Plaza, INQUIRER.net
