GMA widens reach in Ilocos

GMA Network Inc. delivered a fun-filled weekend for the Ilocanos as they staged another Kapuso event in Laoag City.

The celebration was led by the stations biggest stars like Geoff Eigenmann, Mark Herras, Kyla, Rochelle Pangilinan, Jackie Rice, Jennica Garcia, Victor Aliwalas, Jonalyn Viray and more.

The Kapuso Day event was attended by more than 12 thousand supporters at the capitol ground in Laoag City.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos graced the event and thanked the network for building a new originating station in the region.

During the Kapuso night, Michelle Madrigal, Will DeVaughn, Mike Tan and Victor Aliwalas launched their upcoming afternoon soap "Faithfully."

The new series will be shown starting June 18 and will also feature Isabelle Oli, Maxene Magallona and others.

According to Victor, he's always looking forward to attend the weekend activities of the station because he can reach out to more people.

The actor said the travels they made in Cebu, Davao, General Santos City and now Ilocos are the most fun they had.

La Diva, Derick Monasterio, Cristopher Martin, Stephen Silva and Protégé finalists also serenaded the Ilocanos.

Rochelle Pangilinan, on the other hand, earned the most cheers for her production number and the activities she led with five members of the audience.

The event was hosted by Survivor Philippines Celebrity Sole Survivor Betong Sumaya and GMA Regional TV personality and proud Cebuano Ana Maris Igpit.

According to Oliver Amoroso, assistant vice president for Sales and Marketing of GMA Regional TV, it is only fitting to kick off the launch of GMA Ilocos together with the stations stars.

Also during the weekend, GMA Network also launched its new local station in the province of Ilocos.

Located in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, the new station will broadcast Balitang Ilokano in the whole province and parts of Abra and La Union. It will be servicing an estimated 208,000 households.

The Ilocos station is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities at par with international broadcast standards. It is also capable of delivering live news coverage or feeds within the originating or neighboring provinces which can be aired locally or nationwide."

The network had invested more than P100 million for the facilities and equipment of GMA Ilocos.

"The launch of GMA Ilocos is just part of the network's effort to further strengthen its nationwide dominance. With this, we are determined to prove to our viewers why we are considered number 1 all over the country," said GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon.

GMA Ilocos will be seen via channel 5 in Ilocos Norte and channel 48 in Ilocos Sur and parts of Abra.

In the coming weeks, The Kapuso Network Regional TV is set to launch another originating station in the Bicol region.

The Bicol station is expected to reach an estimated 520,000 households and will be available in Legaspi, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. (Sunnex)