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Versatile Kapuso actress and social media influencer LJ Reyes will remain a Kapuso after renewing her contract with GMA Artist Center and GMA Network--her home for the past 16 years.

The Gawad Urian best actress was thrust into the spotlight after joining the groundbreaking reality artista search StaStruck in 2005. During that season, LJ Reyes was hailed first princess and Ryza Cenon was declared Ultimate Female Survivor.

During the grand virtual media conference for her contract renewal with GMA held Tuesday afternoon, June 29, LJ admitted that she has remained loyal with the network because GMA considers her as family.

She declared, “I have no reasons to leave, I mean wala ako makitang dahilan to leave. GMA has been like a family to me.”

She went on to reminisce about a special moment when she was new in GMA-7, wherein she met a top executive outside an elevator and encouraged her to finish her studies then.

LJ recalled, “It happened by the elevator sa GMA and one top executive saw me. I was just new back then, so parang sobrang takot na takot kasi top executive,

“Sabi ko lang, 'Hi Ma'am! Hello po'

“Ayun lang nasabi ko, then she asked me, 'Di ba nag-aaral ka?'

“Parang natakot ako, sabi ko may problema sa schedule ko. Problema ba ito sa schedule? Ano sasabihin ko? Tapos siyempre hindi ka puwede mag-lie kasi sure naman 'yun, 'tapos sabi ko 'Opo Ma'am.'

“She told me na you know what finish your school, it's very important. That time kasi, 'yung schedule ko nahihirapan sila sa akin, because they have to consider my schedule in school and then 'yung work.

“So sometimes talaga it becomes really crazy na parang nag-o-overlap but I didn't know how I did it”

The celebrity mom added that even the top bosses of GMA-7 would also look after her welfare and it allowed her to become not just a better entertainer but a better person as well.

“But I really appreciated that. 'Yung support ng GMA not just 'yun lang sa talent and management team, but even the entertainment group. As in even to the highest up, talagang they know you, they know things about you.

“They try to learn more things about you at hindi ka nila ifo-force sa mga decision na [ayaw mo]. They support you, they guide you.

“And they have been so supportive and I think that really help for me to grow not just as an actor or as an entertainer, but as a person as well.”

Aside from winning the best actress trophy in the 39th Gawad Urian Awards in 2016 for her performance in the independent film Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, she also bagged the best actress recognition in the 13th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival held in the previous year.

LJ has starred in several big TV projects namely D' Originals (2017), Sherlock Jr. (2018), and The Cure (2018).

She has two kids namely Aki and her daughter with Bubble Gang star Paolo Contis named Summer, who was born in January 2019.

More power and we wished you all the best, Kapuso LJ!

Get to know more about the newest stars being managed by GMA Artist Center this 2021 in the gallery below.