PRESS STATEMENT FROM GMA-7:

"GMA Network's pioneering epic series, Amaya, has dominated the race for primetime supremacy after its successive lead in TV ratings in the nationwide survey for June 2011. This is according to the more widely recognized TV ratings data supplier Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

"For the covered period, Kapuso Network's first-of-its-kind soap opera is currently the highest rating program on primetime TV as it finished June with 37.5 household share points in Mega Manila and 36.7 household share points in Luzon.

"Amaya also made it to the list of overall top 30 programs nationwide. It performed well in Urban Luzon which makes up 77 percent of total television households in the country and in Mega Manila which comprises the bulk of the country's total television household population at 58 percent.

"During its first six-weeks of airing on the primetime block, the program not only sparked interest in Philippines' pre-colonial history among televiewers but also generated rave reviews from academic historians, professional educators, film critics, cultural agencies, and students alike.

"The creative and production team of Amaya took pains to be as accurate in mounting the network's first epic series. The historical and cultural discussions that were raised only inspire the whole team to continue their extensive research on the Pre-Hispanic history of the country as well as validate their data and studies on this extraordinary project.

"Aside from the professional guidance of historians from the University of the Philippines, several experts and consultants in Philippine history likewise volunteered to help substantiate the interpretation of the historical context of Amaya.

"As the primetime drama continues this week, Primetime Queen Marian Rivera's character Amaya shifts from a slave (uripon) to a priestess (alabay). Now gifted with extraordinary powers, this makes her even more capable of exacting revenge on Rajah Mangubat (Gardo Versoza).

"But Amaya's woes become twice as painful when she witnesses the marriage of Bagani (Sid Lucero) to her evil stepsister Marikit (Rochelle Pangilinan).

"How will Amaya deal with her biggest heartache? Will she succeed in avenging her father's death?

"Amaya airs weeknights after Captain Barbell on GMA Telebabad."

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