GMA cancels Heart-Dingdong soap
Heart’s Presence: “Love is in the air” was actress Heart Evangelista’s quotable quote when she graced the fifth Star Magic Ball held Sept. 3 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
The actress’ presence at an ABS-CBN affair stirred a bit of a hornet’s nest in the light of her current affiliation. Heart is an exclusive contract artist of GMA, where she transferred in 2008 after having spent seven years at the Bohol network.
In an interview with the Bulletin along with a handful of other media persons on Sept. 5, Heart said her presence at the Star Magic Ball need not be seen as a sign that she’ll be changing networks again soon. “I was personally invited by Mr. M and Tita Mariole (Alberto). The Star Magic is family to me. I grew up with them,” she said.
Despite the explanation, it can’t be helped that observers would think otherwise. People in the industry are aware of how Heart stands at GMA at this point following her controversial feud with Marian Rivera.
Heart has not been working since five months ago with the exit of her last series, “Dwarfina.” She has only “Party Pilipinas” on Sundays. On the days that Marian reports for work on “PP,” Heart is exempted from reporting for work.
Network executives have seemingly devised a plan that would make sure that the two actresses wouldn’t cross each other’s paths.
Cancelled Soap: While GMA has issued a statement that it had patched up the differences between the two female stars, the same network has seemingly made sure that the two women would never be in the same room together.
GMA has also reportedly cancelled “Cain at Abel,” the soap opera that Heart was supposed to star in with Dingdong Dantes. It was the very bone of contention that separated Marian and Heart. Recall that Marian reportedly disliked the idea that Heart was to co-star with her boyfriend. The revelation to this effect from Heart herself ignited Marian’s wrath.
With the cancellation of “Cain at Abel,” Heart has suddenly found herself in floating mode. She has not heard from the network again of a possible next show.
Meanwhile, Dingdong is reportedly set to star a new series with Rhian Ramos called “Sugo.” Word was out a few weeks back that Heart was going to co-star with Geoff Eigenmann in a series tentatively called “Legacy,” about the fashion world, but not much has been heard of this plan again.
In a text message, network executive Wilma Galvante says “Cain at Abel” has been shelved for further development.
Heart is now thinking of having a heart to heart talk with her bosses at the network to get a clear picture of where she really stands at this point. While it is true that she enjoys a guaranteed contract with GMA, meaning to say, she gets a regular salary with or without work, the artist in her clamors for personal satisfaction, as sense of fulfillment. “I can’t be happy just sitting there and waiting for my pay check without doing anything. I want to work, keep myself busy and do something that I really like, which is acting,” she said.
Heart has done “Langit sa Piling Mo” and “Codename Asero” for GMA. Her dream is to work with real good actors who can test her limits and tap the best actress in her.
On a lighter note, she is refreshed by news that several new endorsements are coming her way after she had cleared the air following her celebrated falling out with Marian Rivera. Months after it happened, she has only this to say, “Love is in the air.”--Manila Bulletin
