WHEN GMA Public Affairs began producing historical and socio-political dramas nearly ten years ago, little did the team know that they would eventually find themselves making the “Most Watched Drama of 2022” with the top-rating Lolong, the story of a hero fighting injustice and corruption in his small town. Lolong is GMA Public Affairs’ biggest series since its venture into drama production, one among a long list of titles that deal with relevant topics, like Philippine history (Katipunan, Ilustrado), the dreams of seafarers and financial literacy (One of the Baes, Owe My Love), and serious issues, like mental health and good governance (Love You Stranger, Bayan Ko).
While its success in scripted series may come as a surprise, excellent storytelling that impacts society has been touted as being at the core of what GMA Public Affairs has done over the last three decades. A pioneer in documentary, talk and news magazine programming, GMA Public Affairs has put the Philippines on the world stage, with its legacy programs recognized by prestigious award-giving bodies—from Cannes to Monte Carlo, London, New York, and Tokyo—even bagging four prestigious George Foster Peabody Awards trophies and a nod from the Emmys.
This 2023, impactful storytelling will remain at the heart of public affairs programming as it expands message-making to a wider audience through a diverse lineup of formats and titles.
Lolong and his crocodile friend Dakila are set to make a big return. Lolong: Ang Luha ng Unang Atubaw follows the journey of Lolong (Ruru Madrid) after realizing his full potential as a hero who can save people from the hands of corrupt men. After freeing the people of Del Rio and Tumahan from the wicked Armando Banson (Christopher de Leon), Lolong chooses to live a peaceful life with the surviving Atubaws and Elsie (Shaira Diaz), the woman he loves. But fate plays a cruel joke when they discover that the most important treasure of their tribe—the crystallized tear of the first Atubaw—is missing. Ruru Madrid’s busy year will see him team up with real-life sweetheart Bianca Umali in The Write One, a romantic drama with a touch of fantasy to be produced in partnership with a major online platform. It tells the story of Liam (Ruru), a frustrated man who is given a chance to rewrite his love and life story with the help of a mysterious typewriter.
The action series Black Rider and fantasy Sireno are also set to begin production in 2023.
In addition to televised dramas, GMA Public Affairs is set to launch exclusive digital series to be headlined by Sparkle’s young love teams. In Zero Kilometers Away, Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi play Gwen and Ardi, BFFs who initially meet on a dating app and decide to keep it platonic.
Perhaps GMA Public Affairs’ most ambitious venture in 2023 is its entry into filmmaking. At least four feature films are currently in the works for its newly formed film division, including Firefly, which follows a young boy’s search for the mythical island of fireflies described in his mother’s bedtime stories. The film is being helmed by Zig Dulay, acclaimed director of GMA classics Sahaya and Maria Clara at Ibarra.
While Public Affairs expands into different genres, its core offerings in documentary and public service remain at the fore. Twenty twenty-three will be a year of documentary specials shot in 4K with Lost Sabungeros as the banner title. Planting White Seeds which tells the story of one man with an unorthodox offer to distribute his seed to Filipinas via artificial insemination; and AFAM Hunters, which explores the unique connections between Pinays and their foreigner lovers, complete the 4K docu lineup.
Flagship documentary program I-Witness, celebrating 23 years as Philippine television’s finest hour, will introduce fresh faces to its lineup of formidable hosts with the entry of Mav Gonzales and John Consulta.
GMA Public Affairs wraps up its 2023 content slate with Resibo: Walang Lusot ang may Atraso, a public service program hosted by Emil Sumangil aimed at giving a voice to the public’s grievances and complaints, exposing wrongdoing, and providing concrete resolutions.