BY NESTOR CUARTERO
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JUST A THOUGHT: “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” –Lady Bird Johnson
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ACTORS’ DIRECTION: With the unexpected closure of ABS-CBN, television as a playing field has become even narrower.
In an instant, opportunities for growth have been snatched from channel 2’s many talents – actors, writers, directors, producers – not to mention the more than 11,000 employees who have just joined the country’s growing ranks of the unemployed.
Many employees of the network have only until end of August to keep their jobs. Significant departments, including film restoration, have been dismantled from top to bottom.
The situation leaves GMA and TV-5 as the only surviving commercial networks. Of course, there are also the small players like UNTV and Net 25, though they are identified with certain religious groups.
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ACTORS IN LIMBO: What happens now to ABS-CBN’s stable of actors, those signed to the network, and also those who may be freelancers but are identified with channel 2?
June Rufino, president of talent managers’ group, Professional Association of Managers, says they’re still on standby mode. It’s sad, she says.
Erickson Raymundo of Cornerstone Entertainment echoes the sentiment.
Leo Dominguez, whose agency houses teleserye regulars Paulo Avelino and JC de Vera, says he’s still waiting for the network to talk to them.
Star Magic, the network-based talent development agency, has not issued any official word yet, says handler Allan Real.
