Obra: A masterpiece of a show

This year alone, GMA-7’s Thursday nights have shown a lot of changes in its programming—from the dramatic Magpakailanman, to the suspense-filled ESP, the musical variety of Songbird, and the laughter-inducing Nuts Entertainment. So why not combine them all? OBRA brings back the drama anthologies that used to prevail in the airwaves back in the 90’s, featuring artists in roles they’ve never played before. Now in the new millennium, GMA-7 hopes to do same again with a new generation of artists. “Kasi ‘yung ating Telebabad, sometimes you feel na very limiting sa mga artists natin." Program Manager of OBRA, Redgie Magno explains that the drama anthology is one way of showing the acting range of GMA-7’s most prized talents, each episode showing a different side to the artists viewers have grown to love, or love to hate. “[Dito], gusto namin na talagang mailabas ang husay ng artista natin." And as such, Miss Redgie promises that “ang ibibigay natin sa kanila, mga acting pieces talaga." Miss Redgie explains that Thursday nights have always been the night for experiments, “laging ‘yan ‘yung nagbibigay ng way para makapag-isip kami ng ibang show, or makapag-develop kami ng ibang konsepto." This makes Thursday nights perfect for the re-imagining of the drama anthology genre. “Para [ito] makadagdag sa entertainment na naibibigay namin sa viewers." On its first offering, OBRA presents a Katrina Halili as she’s never seen before: as a homeless bum, as the good twin and more. But the show will not stop with just featuring her; fulfilling its promise to feature the potentials in the network’s talents, after four episodes, OBRA will next feature JC De Vera. “We believe na isa rin siya sa mga artista natin ngayon na may ibubuga pagdating sa acting," Miss Redgie explains. She continues that OBRA will feature a different artists every four weeks. And, she adds, “meron kaming line-up, ‘yung mga nakikita naming may mga angking talino sa pag-arte, na hindi lang nila nailalabas kasi hindi sila nabibigyan ng tamang project." But she refuses to disclose any names; “magfocus muna sa first four, and sa second," she finishes with a mysterious smile. - iGMA.tv