
Two of the sought-after Kapuso stars Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe can't help but feel proud to be a part of the GMA Pinoy TV family as the GMA Network's flagship international channel celebrates its 15th anniversary.
They bannered various GMA Pinoy TV events across the globe with the intention of bringing the Pinoy community abroad closer together and closer to home.
Both Dingdong and Lovi attest how the channel became instrumental in helping Pinoys connect with their roots wherever they are through relevant Kapuso programs.
As GMA Pinoy TV marks its 15 years of service, the Kapuso stars recalled the fondest memories they have when doing shows abroad, during their virtual media conference yesterday, August 25.
For Dingdong, the first event he graced will always be the most memorable one.
"Memorable sa 'kin 'yung launch ng GMA Pinoy TV back in 2005 in San Francisco kasi dinala namin 'yung buong S.O.P, 'yung Sobrang Okay Pare," the Kapuso Primetime King uttered with enthusiasm.
"We visited the beautiful spots, we shot the spiels, ang ganda ng experience, but more importantly, the experience of interacting with fellow Filipinos na hinding hindi namin makakalimutan and because it's the first, for me it is very, very memorable," he added, recalling their interaction with their Pinoy fans in San Francisco, California.
The impact of doing shows for Pinoy fans abroad has affected Dingdong's perspective in life.
"Now that I'm a father, I understand the value of putting something into life and in this case, giving birth to GMA Pinoy TV. And imagine, it's been 15 years since we started it so kung 15 years 'yan, high school na 'yan kung tao 'yan, and ang dami nang napagdaanan nasa marami nang bansa. And if my number is correct, 27 of my shows, have been showed sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin.
"But whenever we go to countries na may GMA Pinoy TV, 'yung interaction na 'yun ay very, very valuable for us because we get to listen to their personal stories, 'yung journey nila kung paano sila napunta sa bansang iyon, bakit sila nandoon, what motivates them, and then we learn so much.
"Pagbalik namin, may bago kaming perspektibo kung paano namin pwede tingnan 'yung trabaho, kung paano namin pwede tingnan 'yung buhay. But more importantly, mas ginaganahan kami to create more shows for them."
For Lovi, having the opportunity to take side trips is one of the perks of participating in GMA Pinoy TV events abroad.
"I went to Calgary and Winnipeg, and oh my God, how beautiful it is there. Like isa siya sa mga places na gustung-gusto kong balikan. I remember I went to this lake, para kang nasa postcard, that's how beautiful it is," Lovi recalled with fondness.
More than the beautiful spots, the Kapuso actress can't forget how welcoming her kababayans are who kept her company while exploring such places in Canada.
She shared, "I think one of the memorable memories din about being there in Canada is that, because I wanted to visit these beautiful places, 'yung mga nakilala ko din do'n na mga kababayans natin, sila pa 'yung mga nag-volunteer na dalhin kami do'n. That's what is nice about going around for GMA Pinoy TV. You meet new people and then you actually make new friends, and actually right now we're still in touch... you build friendship, and now you just want to go back there to meet these people and explore even more."
Staying true to being "Buong Puso Para Sa Kapuso Abroad," GMA Pinoy TV has ultimately created an impact to the lives of Filipinos living abroad and how it has relieved their homesickness over the last 15 years.
Having said that, GMA Network First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph Francia promised that GMA Pinoy TV won't stop striving to distribute and share new contents and fresh programming with their viewers abroad.
"We can say that we've achieved what we've wanted to do over the last 15 years, but there is always the GMA culture. We're always learning, trying to be better and better every single day. It's never enough, we have done good in the past, but as we look towards the future, we want to make sure that we'll do even better," the GMA executive stated.