Kapuso exec Lilybeth G. Rasonable opens up about how the pandemic changed GMA Entertainment

GMA Network's Senior Vice President for Entertainment Lilybeth G. Rasonable revealed the biggest changes and challenges in producing Kapuso shows during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First of all, na-affect talaga 'yong budget ng shows because of all the safety protocols that we had to implement. Talagang lumobo 'yong mga budget. We have to test. We have to purchase PPEs for the lock-in tapings. We have to go into quarantine. We have to lock in sa resorts and hotels. So that's one big additional expense for our productions and for the network,” she said in an exclusive interview for Kapuso Insider.

Rasonable also shared that the pandemic significantly affected how GMA Network conceptualizes, writes, and produces programs.

“We had to adapt. Siyempre, there are IATF rules and guidelines. DOLE guidelines. DOH guidelines. So we had to write our series with fewer characters [and] more intimate stories with [fewer] locations.”

Moreover, she spotlighted the crucial role of technology in helping them adapt to the crisis. According to her, Kapuso artists were particularly trained to film and produce broadcast-quality content on their own.

“All our production meetings, auditions, workshops, rehearsals, and story conferences were done face-to-face. Now, thank God for Zoom. Everything is done online. Definitely so much has changed since the pandemic started…Our artists themselves had to learn to shoot at home.”

She continued, “May shooting guidelines pa rin 'yan. Pati sa audio, may guidelines. So hindi lang siya basta-basta na 'O sige, mag-shoot kayo from home. Bahala na kayo.' Siyempre, technical qualities still had to be maintained with the guidance of both our post-production department and engineering department.”

Rasonable also opened up about the values she rediscovered and learned during these times, noting some refinements in production practices that she hopes will remain even after the pandemic.

“Kapag nagigipit ka pala, dito lumalabas 'yong pagka-inventive at creative ng mga Pinoy. Iyan 'yong isang bagay na natutuwa ako and I hope na ma-continue even post-pandemic. Also, 'yong pre-production work. It's not as if we don't do pre-production [work] pre-pandemic but this time, especially for those who go into lock-in tapings or [shoot] once-a-week shows like musical varieties, you really have to be fully prepared.”

She added, “Hindi ka na makalalabas [from the bubble] so mahirap makalimot ng continuity sa wardrobe or makalimot ng props na kailangan niyo pala. Lahat 'yan, kailangan dala mo. Ang mga artista and even production [staff], kailangan alam na nila 'yong gagawin kasi hindi naman mahaba 'yong oras, especially now na nililimita natin 'yong oras ng taping.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic ushered major changes in the entertainment industry, Rasonable said that the crisis also strengthened GMA Network's steadfast commitment to continue being a source of hope and inspiration for the Filipino people.

“Kahit mahirap. Kahit hindi biro 'yong paggawa ng entertainment programs, talagang pinagpapatuloy pa rin ito ng GMA.”

Meanwhile, take an insider look at how these local personalities upgraded their work-from-home setups during the COVD-19 pandemic: