MANILA, Philippines – After 19 years of service to the Kapuso network, Wilma Galvante has "officially retired" from her post as senior vice president for entertainment TV.
In a statement recently released by GMA-7, Galvante is nothing short of proud and grateful "for the opportunity of having worked with [everyone in the network] through all the years." She also wished for GMA-7's continuous success.
Galvante’s retirement took effect on Feb. 24, according to another statement the network has sent to the stock exchange.
GMA-7 chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon expressed his gratitude for Galvante’s loyalty and contributions to the network, especially through the hit entertainment programs produced under her management.
Stepping in as officer-in-charge for the entertainment group is Lilybeth Rasonable, vice-president for drama, who has been with GMA-7 for four years now. Prior, she has served as program manager and assistant vice-president for the group.
Legacy
Galvante may well bid the industry goodbye with her head held high considering that her contributions to the network have caused dramatic shifts in local entertainment. She was the brains behind the pioneering talent search “Bagong Kampeon” in 1981. This was, in a way, revived in the 2000’s with “StarStruck,” which produced the likes of Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras.
Galvante also has, to her credit, the introduction of fantasy series on primetime television via “Mulawin” in 2004, as well as the resurgence of Filipino comics on the boob tube (“Darna” in 2005; “Captain Barbel” in 2006). Galvante likewise produced “Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition.”
Issues
The influential Kapuso exec, however, also got enmeshed in messy controversies and legal disputes particularly with talent manager Annabelle Rama. This is believed to have rooted from intrigues such as Rama’s talents' alleged refusal of project offers from the network, her purported “bribes” to remain in Galvante’s favor, as well as the heated exchanges between them.
Their row eventually escalated into a legal battle in 2009, with Galvante filing a P7-M damage suit and a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Rama, while the latter attempted to get more than even with the former by charging her with a P25-M lawsuit and a grave slander case for allegedly badmouthing Rama to her talents.
The next step
With Galvante officially out of GMA-7, speculations abound as to her future endeavors. Rumor has it that one of GMA-7’s rival networks, TV5, might offer her a significant post in their management.
source: mb.com.ph
