Continuing their journey as Kapamilya
Longtime Kapamilya Jake Cuenca, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Sam Milby, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan, and Joshua Garcia signed anew with ABS-CBN at the “Forever Kapamilya Network Contract Signing” event.
Donny, who started his Kapamilya journey as a MYX VJ eight years ago, highlighted his excitement to continue his career with ABS-CBN and come up with projects that the audiences have not seen before.
“I’m just so happy that despite everything we’ve never lost hope and we continue to come up with more things that people have not seen before, and I’m just very, very glad to be part of this journey and I can’t wait for what’s to come,” said Donny who is headlining the upcoming series “How to Spot a Red Flag” with Belle Mariano.
Joshua and Francine described ABS-CBN as their second home and expressed gratitude for the opportunities the Kapamilya network entrusted them with.
“Thank you sa 10 taon na pagtitiwala sa akin at hindi nyo ako iniwan. Kayo na yung parang naging pangalawang pamilya ko kaya maraming salamat. And of course to Star Magic, kung hindi dahil sa tiyaga nila sa akin sa pag-hone ng craft ko, maraming salamat,” shared Joshua who will be seen next in the Philippine remake of “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” with Anne Curtis.
“It’s another open door para sa akin para sa mas maraming opportunities at mas maraming blessings at sa pinto na yun naghihintay sa akin ang pangalawang pamilya ko,” said Francine who rose to prominence after starring in the hit series “Kadenang Ginto” and will star in the upcoming MMFF entry “My Future You.”
Melai, host of the online Bisaya talk show “Kuan On One,” also expressed her joy to be part of the ABS-CBN family since joining “Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up” in 2009.
“Hindi ko maimagine ang sarili ko na wala ako sa ABS. I’m so happy with this family,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, the contract signing event turned out to be a “surreal moment” for Sam, who started his Kapamilya journey 19 years ago as one of the OG “PBB” housemates.
The actor-singer said, “To imagine na exactly 19 years ago I was still in the [PBB] house. Here I am 19 years later, still a Forever Kapamilya. It’s a surreal moment hanggang ngayon.”
A Kapamilya actor since 2006 who was part of the recent series “The Iron Heart” and “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” Jake provided tips for new artists who want to be a ‘Forever Kapamilya’ based on his experience.
He said, “It’s determination, ambition, and this hunger for excellence. You have to love it, you have to want it really, really badly just as much as you want to breathe.”
Present at the contract signing event were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, chief operating officer Cory Vidanes, group chief financial officer Rick Tan, and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi.
Also joining them were Star Magic’s talent managers Alan Real, Cris Tapang, Monch Navales, Nenette Rustia, April del Rosario, and Deejaye Cuadrado Dela Paz. Melai’s co-manager Kate Pepito, Sam’s co-manager and Cornerstone president Erickson Raymundo, Francine’s co-manager John Ling, and Donny’s co-manager and mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan were also present.