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October 17 marked one of the biggest events in TV history as GMA Network Inc. held a gala event for the inauguration of its brand new, state of the art studios.
October 17 marked one of the biggest events in TV history as GMA Network Inc. held a gala event for the inauguration of its brand new, state of the art studios. None other than president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided the ribbon cutting together with Vice President Noli de Castro. GMA Chairman, President and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon and GMA EVP and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr. joined them, along with the Network's Board of Directors. Personalities from politics, business and entertainment attended the gala affair and expressed their excitement on this new development that would surely boost the quality of Philippine media. In her speech, President Arroyo praised GMA Network's visionary leadership, as well as the talent and hard work of the men and women who make up the Kapuso family. The construction of "Studio 4" and "Studio 5" amounted to almost 1 billion pesos, but Atty. Gozon proudly shared that the Network did not obtain any loans to support this new project. "We have always been confident in our country's economic future, so that we decided to push through with our plans notwithstanding the rising costs of fuel, higher rates of inflation, and the prevailing global financial crisis. I am proud to say that we were able to accomplish all of these using only internally generated funds," he said in his speech. The studios boast of the very first control room with the most updated digital production features, including 20 split screen monitors for the live audience studio and lights similar to those used in the Beijing Olympics. There is also a so-called "room within a room" acoustic system and soundproofing design, among many other features. "Alay natin ito sa lahat ng ating mga Kapuso, sa mga producer, sa manlilikha ng mga programa, at mga manonood syempre—at sa ating mga kasamahan sa trade na patuloy ang pagtangkilik sa atin," stated Mr. Duavit. The night ended with a sample of the studio's capabilities via various performances by Kapuso artists. All the celebrities expressed how happy and proud they are for the new development in their home. Sunshine Dizon couldn't have said it better: "I'm very excited. Dapat i-elevate din yung pagtatrabaho natin dahil lalo pang pinaganda ng GMA yung pinagtatrabahuhan natin." -- Compiled by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Excerpts taken from 24 Oras's "Chika Minute."