Despite rumors of her network transfer, Carla maintains, 'My heart is with GMA'
By Julien Merced C. Matabuena (Manila Bulletin, www.mb.com.ph)
MANILA, Philippines – Actress Iza Calzado inked a three-year contract with ABS-CBN on Tuesday, ending her almost 10-year stay with GMA-7.
“Una sa lahat, I'm grateful for all the opportunity that GMA-7 has given me for almost 10 years. But, I just think that this is time for me to grow, to evolve, to learn. I think it's just a matter of timing and I've always wanted to work again with people from Channel 2,” Iza was quoted as saying in a report by abs-cbnnews.com posted on Jan. 24.
Iza once worked for the Kapamilya network through the Star Cinema-produced 2004 film, “Milan.”
“I guess this is just the way it works. It's just a business and at some point we will make a certain decision, and hopefully without burning bridges,” she added.
Iza disclosed that she is set to do a drama series and host a reality show, which is rumored to be the second season of “The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition.”
More, among the Kapamilya actors Iza wants to work with are Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban, Jodi Sta. Maria, and another former Kapuso, Karylle.
On competition with other actors, Iza told abs-cbnnews.com that it “serves as a motivation and challenge” but clarified, “I'm not going to take anyone's place.”
“I would like to make my own space and fill up a certain niche that maybe only I can fill,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Carla Abellana downplayed allegations that she will also be transferring to ABS-CBN once her contract with GMA-7 ends next month.
“Hindi ko rin alam kung anong nangyayari, kung bakit ganyan kalakas ang mga bali-balita [na lilipat ako],” she told PEP in an interview posted on Wednesday.
Carla is aware that her manager, Arnold Vegafria, is having negotiations with other parties.
“Siyempre bilang manager ko, ang sa akin, trabaho ang inihahanap niya sa akin, ‘di ba, ‘yung the best possible na ano. Hindi naman sa kailangan ng approval ko, pero ibinabalita niya sa akin,” said she.
However, Carla directly told Arnold that she wants to stay with GMA-7.
“Sinabi ko ‘yun and alam niya ‘yun, na ayoko talagang lumipat. Siyempre, my heart talaga is with GMA, ang laki ng utang na loob ko sa GMA,” she was quoted as saying.
Although her manager told her that he knew what she wanted, he also said that they should look at things "’from a business point of view... but this doesn't mean na lilipat ka na,’" Carla quoted her manager.
GMA-7 has yet to initiate a formal contract renewal with Carla, but the network’s President and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon has reportedly already made a statement on Carla staying a Kapuso.
She confirmed this, adding, “Last year pa naman nila in-express na ire-renew nila ‘yung contract ko.”
Carla, whose last taping day for GMA-7 was scheduled on Jan. 24, expressed,” Hopefully, sa matagal ko’ng break, makaupo na kami para mapag-usapan na namin. Kasi hindi ako magde-decide hangga't hindi ko nakakausap ang management ng GMA, hangga't hindi ko nababasa ‘yung mga kontrata.”
Meanwhile, Carla said that the final decision whether to stay with GMA-7 or not rests on her hands and not solely on her manager’s.
“At the end of the day, it's still my decision, though napakalaki at napakahirap na desisyon…. Basta kailangang mapag-isipan namin lahat, makita namin lahat ng sides, lahat ng pros and cons. At mapag-usapan namin para hindi kami magsisisi sa bandang huli,” she was quoted as saying by PEP.