GMA’s 3 International Channels Are Now Available through MyHD! Filipino broadcast giant GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) relaunched in the Commenting on the partnership with GMA, My-HD CEO Cliff Nelson Middle East and has shifted to a new carrier for the exclusive distribution said, “With over 2.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East, this community of its international channels. is considerably one of the largest ones in the region and thus plays a significant role in the development of the local economy. Through our Following the recent launch of GMA’s international news channel agreement with GMA Network, we aim to offer viewers their favorite GMA News TV International, GMA Pinoy TV - its flagship international programs on our one-stop HD platform.” channel and GMA Life TV - the first international Filipino lifestyle channel – are now widely available in the Middle East via My-HD, a Following the finalization of the exclusive rights to carry GMA’s popular pay-TV platform based in Dubai. overseas channels, My-HD has appointed SAWA Media as its IPTV and cable distribution company for the GMA launch. “We have decided to make the GMA Channels more relevant to our viewers in the Middle East by providing greater value and better service My-HD Media has made the MyGMA package available on Arabsat in this key market,” said GMA Network Vice President and Head of through the frequency 10,770 MHz Vertical on BADR-5 satellite to International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “With this new partnership further expand the reach of My-HD Media’s line-up of channels for over in place, we are now offering the GMA channels at a more affordable 170 million viewers in more than 80 countries across the Middle East, price and have made them more accessible to more Filipinos in the Africa, and beyond. Region.” The partnership between GMA and My-HD extends to Bahrain, Cyprus, Francia added that, “While we have decreased our subscription Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, rate from 32.00 to 25.00 US dollars, GMA subscribers and followers Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen in the can expect even bigger things from the Network with the improved Middle East. The agreement also covers countries in North Africa standards of our programming. The My-GMA package from My-HD namely Algeria, Chad, Djibouti Northern, Egypt, Malta, Mauritania, includes not only the GMA international channels namely, GMA Pinoy Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International, but also up to 28 English language channels, 14 of which are in High Definition.” For details on how to avail of the free My-HD digi box, interested parties may call the following numbers: With its strengthened programming and enlarged presence in the Middle East, the Network is confident that it will be able to further grow ALL COUNTRIES & UAE: + 971 4435 4484 its subscriber base in the ME Region, which has the second largest SAUDI ARABIA: 9 200 200 78 population of Filipinos abroad next to North America. KUWAIT: + 965 2266 222 8 QATAR: + 974 4444 5544 GMA International – the business unit that manages the distribution BAHRAIN: + 973 1771 3333 or 1771 5666 and operations of GMA’s overseas channels – has embarked on OMAN: + 968 2447 8443 or 9390 3617 massive promotional efforts to ensure the smooth transition of its LIBYA: + 218 2 1477 8780 current subscribers. In fact, a total of 40,000 digi boxes, which already contain the entire line-up of My-HD including the MyGMA package, are GMA International channels are also available through eLifeTV (call being given out for free to Filipinos all over the Middle East. 101 or 800-101), dU (call 4 390 5555) and Ooredoo (111 in Qatar), email [email protected] or visit www.my-hd.tv. This major feat also signals a new phase in My-HD’s plan to create a unique viewing experience for audiences across all nationalities and age brackets. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 GMA Life TV, the first international Filipino lifestyle channel, celebrates five years of showcasing the wonderful Philippines and the fun and admirable Pinoys with a hip-lively television campaign entitled GMA Life TV: Fly High @ Five! This anniversary campaign will be presented by six of the Network’s most sought after young stars - Alden Richards, Mikael Daez, Rocco Nacino, Maxene Magalona, Bela Padilla and Louise Delos Reyes – who will turn VJs as they take turns in introducing each program in their individual flair and charm which have endeared them to Kapusos worldwide. “Highlighting the distinct and exceptional traits of the Pinoy lifestyle has ever been the primary goal of GMA Life TV,” says GMA Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “This year, we want to make things even more exciting as we present the GMA Life TV VJs, who equally embody the best traits of the channel – being fun, hip, original, and inspirational. Their distinct and refreshing personalities are meant to spice up our programming that is bound to become even bigger and better this year, and in the coming years.” 10 11 12 After the release of its highly-praised cinematic version of the Philippine “It is our hope that the featured vignettes serve to inspire us by recognizing national anthem in 2010, broadcast media giant GMA Network launched and celebrating the efforts of our countrymen,” he added. another theatrical rendition of “Lupang Hinirang,” which captures the attention of TV audiences and moviegoers in the Philippines. The 2013 ‘Lupang Hinirang’ project was made possible through a partnership between GMA Network and SM Cinemas. The theatrical version of The 2013 version pays tribute to the heroes of today by drawing inspiration the music video will be shown at the beginning of the first and last screenings from the heroes of yesteryears. It opens with an artist sketching a portrait in all SM Cinemas nationwide. of Lapu Lapu, which seamlessly transforms into a colorful animation of the events that shaped Philippine history from the Battle of Mactan, which saw “SM Cinemas is proud to partner once again with GMA in this very noble the defeat of the Spanish conquistadors in the hands of the natives, to the Cry project. This music video recognizes the ‘ordinary’ Filipinos performing daily of Pugad Lawin and the martyrdom of our national hero, Jose Rizal. heroic acts worthy of emulation by our younger generations. As we screen this in SM Cinemas nationwide, we hope to spread this message and help The main music of the national anthem begins as the heroes of the past are inspire the continuation of real life heroism among Filipinos,” said Mr. Edgar juxtaposed with modern heroes like the one portrayed by a fire fighter who C. Tejerero, Senior Vice President of West Avenue Theaters Corp.. braves the raging flames of a burning building in order to save an infant, a teacher who walks several miles to school daily to educate her pupils, a “This is only a three-minute music video but we poured in so much resource, farmer who dutifully toils the land under the scorching heat of the sun to fend time and effort in this project not only because it is our national anthem but for his family, a traffic enforcer who continues to do his job despite being also because this is a special way for GMA to give due recognition to the soaked in heavy rains, a doctor who compassionately attends to the medical unsung heroes of our time,” shared Director Paul Ticzon. needs of those in the barrios, overseas workers who endure being away from their loved ones in the hope of giving them a better future, an athlete who “We used our latest high-definition equipment in order to create a music video brings pride to his country, and several others. These depictions paint a very that is not only awe-inspiring but also cinematically dramatic,” he added. striking picture before the audience: that we are modern heroes in our own right and that’s something we should all be proud of. “In 2010, we released a music video that paid tribute to the heroes of Philippine history. This year, we are releasing one that pays tribute to the heroism of the “Every person who embodies the virtues of honesty, hospitality, dedication, modern Filipino, here and abroad – affirming those who respond to the needs integrity, among others, rightly deserves to be called a modern hero. You don’t of our time and live their lives in the service of others. We want them to know have to die to become a hero; you could be one by making a difference in the that we recognize and appreciate the difference they are making,” according lives of your fellowmen,” said GMA Chairman & CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. to GMA VP for Program Support Regie Bautista. “We are proud to present our latest version of ‘Lupang Hinirang’ to Filipinos The 2010 “Lupang Hinirang” music video won the Bronze World Medal at here and around the globe. In this iteration, deliberate focus was given to our the 2011 New York Festivals World’s Best TV Programs and Film Awards present-day heroes and the many ways they contribute to nation-building, in the Music Video category and the Bronze Anvil from the 2011 Anvil wherever they may be,” GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. Awards by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) in the said. Public Relations Tool category. The newest Lupang Hinirang video is now featured on all GMA International channels.