Apparently, the newly-christened Kapuso actress’ network move rubbed some fans the wrong way.
After days of teasing, the cat’s finally out of the bag — award-winning actress and long-time Star Magic talent Bea Alonzo has finally confirmed that she has signed a contract with GMA Network.
Her arrival to the Kapuso network was made official through a highly-publicized contract signing event on Thursday, July 1.
The move marks the first time that Bea will be appearing in a different network since signing with ABS-CBN back in 2002. It was back in November of last year when ABS-CBN confirmed that Bea has chosen not to renew her contract with Star Magic and has appointed Shirley Kuan as her new talent manager.
The social media buzz over Bea’s network transfer began when GMA’s social media pages started teasing the arrival of an “award-winning actress.” They also highlighted the letters “BE A” in their post’s caption which said that “one of the biggest artists in Philippine showbiz will be a Kapuso.” Apart from the on-the-nose hints, fans also noticed how the silhouette and the eye profile matches Bea’s.
On Instagram, Bea thanked her fans and colleagues who gave her the chance to develop her acting skills. She also expressed her gratitude to her ABS-CBN Family as she moves forward to a new chapter in her life.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of my 20-year journey, my fans, my colleagues, and the people who gave me opportunities and who have helped hone my talent. To my ABS-CBN family, MARAMING SALAMAT PO. I will forever be grateful for everything,” Bea wrote under a series of photos showing her contract signing with GMA.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” she added.
As news of her transfer swept across social media, some fans expressed their dismay over Bea switching lanes. Some have brazenly said that Star Magic is synonymous with the actress’ marquee roles, and that Bea won’t be successful elsewhere. Some have even gone on to say that they would stop supporting her now that she’s with the Kapuso network. Yikes.
Others, however, remain hopeful of her career decision to ditch ABS-CBN. Optimistic fans also see Bea’s move as an opportunity for her to reunite with fellow GMA newcomer and long-time love team partner, John Lloyd Cruz, whose network transfer last month was much-talked about as well. There are even reports that a Bea Alonzo-Alden Richards project is imminent.
Bea even teased rekindling an on-screen romance with JLC, telling the actor during a joint video call with GMA Films president Annette-Gozon Valdes: “Halika na!” JLC, on the other hand, was only too happy to congratulate the actress.
Director Cathy Garcia-Molina went on record last December to confirm that the two are set to renew their movie relationship with their 2021 reunion film, No Goodbyes. There’s yet to be any word, however, if the film will still be released under ABS-CBN’s banner given the two have already moved.
It was back in 2002 when Bea signed with ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Star Magic talent agency, her first big break in the showbiz industry. It’s there where she honed her craft, finally breaking into the scene with roles in the 2003 romantic film My First Romance as well as in the award-winning ABS-CBN soap opera Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay.
Nonetheless, we’re only excited to see where Bea’s acting career goes from here. Good luck, Basha!
